Samsung Elec to supply 5G solutions to Japan’s No. 1 telco NTT Docomo

Samsung Electronics Co. has added Japan’s biggest telecommunication company NTT Docomo Inc. to its list of client for 5G equipment, becoming supplier of top wireless carriers in Korea, Japan, and the United States amid the void of Huawei Technologies under U.S.-led sanctions.

The South Korean tech giant announced Tuesday that it signed a contract with NTT Docomo to provide 5G equipment and solutions including open radio access network (O-RAN) to help the Japanese firm bring 5G services to more consumers in the country.

It marks the first time for Samsung Electronics to directly supply its equipment to the Japanese telco. It has been providing its solutions in collaboration with local firms so far.

“As a leading mobile operator, our goal is to provide our customers the best possible services for creating innovative, fun and exciting experiences and finding solutions to social issues,” said Sadayuki Abeta, general manager of the radio access network development department at NTT Docomo. “We are excited to collaborate with Samsung for the next phase of 5G Open RAN and accelerate the expansion of our ‘Lightning Speed 5G’ coverage in the nation.”

“We are pleased to be part of DOCOMO’s 5G networks and look forward to continued collaboration in advancing 5G innovation for their customers,” said Satoshi Iwao, vice president and head of network division at Samsung Electronics Japan. “Our goal is to leverage Samsung’s technical leadership to bring the best network solutions to mobile operators around the world, so they can deliver the next generation of transformative 5G services and electrifying user experiences.”

The latest deal would reinforce Samsung Electronics’ leadership in the global 5G infrastructure market. It is supplying its 5G equipment and solutions to all of the leading telecom operators in South Korea, the United States and Japan.

The company is also a vendor for Japan’s second largest mobile carrier KDDI.

NTT Docomo had around 82 million subscribers as of December 2020. It has been providing 5G commercial service since March 2020 in Japan.

Shares of Samsung Electronics closed Tuesday down 0.24 percent at 81,800 won in Seoul.

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