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DOCOMO and Ericsson perform successful Proof of Concept of dynamic 5G network slicing

NTT DOCOMO, INC. and Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today announced the successful completion of a joint Proof of Concept (PoC) of dynamic network slicing technology for 5G core networks on June 9.

Network slicing technology virtually partitions a physical network into multiple co-existing logical networks in order to provide the most suitable resources and network topology to different types of services.

In the PoC, a slice-management function and network slices based on service requirements were autonomously created, enabling widely varying services to be delivered simultaneously via multiple logical networks. The PoC shows how 5G services could be connected flexibly between networks according to set policies in order to meet specific service requirements for latency, security or capacity.

Existing networks cannot fully optimize themselves on a per-service basis, and thereby require significant improvement to ensure simultaneous delivery of the versatile services enabled by 5G.

DOCOMO designed the network slice creation and selection functions, and Ericsson developed technologies to perform network slice lifecycle and service management. Ericsson implemented the platform for governance of services and network slices based on Ericsson commercial cloud products.

The PoC, a milestone in the joint cooperation between DOCOMO and Ericsson, will be exhibited as part of an augmented-reality application at 5G World in London, UK on June 28 to June 30, 2016.

Hiroshi Nakamura, Senior Vice President and General Manager of R&D Strategy Department, NTT DOCOMO, INC. says : “Network slicing has the potential to simultaneously deliver diverse cutting-edge 5G services, for enhanced entertainment as well as further effective and secure communication. We expect the results of our PoC with Ericsson will play an important role in the realization of highly efficient and secure 5G networking technologies.”

Håkan Djuphammar, Vice President and Head of Technology, Business Unit Cloud and IP, Ericsson, says: “Our cooperation on 5G with DOCOMO confirms our companies’ long-term relationship and our joint commitment to 5G. This PoC demonstrates the capability of 5G to support fast, efficient and flexible introduction of new services, and to enable differentiated characteristics like speed, latency and capacity.”

DOCOMO is playing a driving role in developing and trialing 5G network technologies in collaboration with leading vendors worldwide. The company has been developing network slicing technology with Ericsson since September 2014. Going forward, the two companies will continue to cooperate in developing and standardizing advanced network technologies for next-generation 5G networks.

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About NTT DOCOMO

NTT DOCOMO provides innovative, convenient and secure mobile services that enable smarter living for each customer. The company serves over 70 million mobile customers in Japan via advanced wireless networks, including a nationwide LTE network and one of the world’s most progressive LTE-Advanced networks. DOCOMO is a leading developer of a 5G network that it plans to deploy by 2020, as well as network functions virtualization (NFV), NFC infrastructure and services, emerging IoT solutions and more. Outside Japan, the company is providing technical and operational expertise to seven mobile operators and other partner companies, and is contributing to the global standardization of all-new mobile technologies. DOCOMO is listed on stock exchanges in Tokyo (9437) and New York (DCM). Please visit http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english

Notes to editors

For media kits, backgrounders and high-resolution photos, please visit https://www.ericsson.com/en/newsroom/media-kits.

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Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2015 were SEK 246.9 billion (USD 29.4 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.

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