April 16, 2021 Announcement of FY2020 Results of Development Demonstrations for Realizing Local 5G Services to Solve Issues and FY2021 Implementation Policy

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) conducted 19 development demonstrations for realizing local 5G services to solve local issues* in fiscal 2020 and announces the summary of the results. In addition, MIC announces the implementation policy of the demonstration project for fiscal 2021.

1. Background

• 1.
  Local 5G is a 5G system that allows various entities, such as local companies and local governments, to flexibly build spots in their buildings and on the premises according to the individual needs of the region and industry. It is expected to solve problems in various fields, including agriculture, manufacturing, and construction, creating new value, building new daily lives in the post-corona era, and promoting digital transformation.
• 2.
  MIC made an institutional revision on December 18, 2020, including a frequency band expansion after the institutionalization of local 5G on December 24, 2019. Local 5G usage is obliged to operate within the scope of technical standards. As with usual radio stations, it is necessary to avoid interference with other radio stations that use the same or adjacent frequencies and use radio waves appropriately.
• 3.
  MIC decided to consider formulating and reviewing appropriate technical standards to make local 5G easier to use. In fiscal 2020, MIC started conducting technical studies on radio wave propagation under various usage environments assuming various actual usage situations. Simultaneously, MIC has been working on development demonstrations for realizing local 5G services to solve issues* to create solutions utilizing local 5G. MIC has just compiled a summary of the results.
• 4.
  In fiscal 2021, MIC will acquire detailed data on radio wave propagation, which requires further study based on the demonstration results in fiscal 2020 toward achieving the more flexible operation of local 5G that can fully enjoy the features of 5G. At the same time, MIC will continue demonstrating the creation of solutions that utilize local 5G.

• *
  The project name has been changed to “Development demonstrations for realizing local 5G services to solve issues” in fiscal 2021.

2. Summary of results in fiscal 2020 and implementation policy and schedule for fiscal 2021

The published material is in Japanese only.