Tokyo, Japan - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) today announced the provision of Radio Units (RU) for macrocells that support the 3.7GHz and 4.5GHz bands, as well as FrontHaul Multiplexers (FHM) for 5G commercial services that NTT DOCOMO, INC. started in March 2020.

The RUs are a macrocell type that cover a wide area and conform to O-RAN fronthaul interface specifications, which are an open interface. Moreover, the adoption of high-efficiency, low-cost heat transfer technology has enabled miniaturization and low power consumption for the RUs.

The FHM duplicates and synthesizes radio signals on the fronthaul between controllers and the RU. One cell can be distributed to a maximum of 12 cells, and one FHM can accommodate the communication capacity of three cells, which can be distributed to a maximum of 24 cells (*). As a result, in areas with low traffic volume, highly efficient operations are enabled by accommodating a large number of RUs for one controller via FHM. This FHM also complies with O-RAN fronthaul interface specifications and can be connected to controllers and RUs that comply with the specifications.

NEC is working with DOCOMO to develop equipment that complies with O-RAN fronthaul interface specifications for 5G, and has already offered controllers and RUs for small cells for 5G commercial services. NEC will continue to provide equipment that enables the construction of flexible 5G networks that support a variety of use cases, thereby contributing to the spread and expansion of DOCOMO's 5G services.