April 1, 2020 Technical Requirements for 5th Generation Mobile Communications Systems (5G) and Advanced BWA

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has today received a partial report from the Information and Communications Council (Chaired by Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Toyota Motor Corporation). The report specifies some of the technical requirements for 5th generation mobile communications systems (5G) and advanced broadband wireless access (BWA) in partial response to inquiry number 2038 about the technical requirements for new-generation mobile communications systems (October 12, 2016).

1. Background

The technology of 5G is expected to be a trump card that can be applied to various industries to solve regional problems by taking advantage of its technical features, e.g., ultrahigh-speed performance, high reliability, ultralow latency, and multiple simultaneous connections. Therefore, there is demand for prompt nationwide expansion. Currently, the frequency band used for 4G and BWA services is lower than the 5G frequencies assigned in April 2019, and there is a need to use the band for 5G services to build a wide 5G service area.
With consideration of the need, the Information and Communications Council has been studying the technical requirements to introduce 5G systems at the frequencies used for 4G and BWA services. On March 31 of this year, MIC received a partial report from the Information and Communications Council regarding the results of the study.

2. Summary of partial report

The outline of the partial report on the technical requirements for 5th generation mobile communication systems (5G) and BWA will be available for viewing and distributed at the Land Mobile Communications Division, Radio Department, Telecommunications Bureau (the 10th floor of MIC).

3. Future plans

MIC will promptly prepare related regulations based on the partial report.