Launch of Joint Feasibility Study for Local 5G: Goal of Standalone Deployment Maximizing 5G Features

Chubu Telecommunications Co., Inc. (Head Office: Naka-ku, Nagoya; President Miyakura Yasuaki; “CTC”) and Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (Head Office: Higashi-ku, Nagoya; President Hayashi Kingo; "Chubu Electric Power") are pleased to announce that, on September 1, 2021, they started to jointly examine the feasibility of local 5G using the standalone (SA) deployment.

Because it is independent of mobile carrier communication networks, a local 5G network may be rolled out by users on a spot basis. This offers the advantages of construction in areas where mobile carrier 5G service launch is delayed. In addition, the required performance can be flexibly configured and this system is less susceptible to communication failures, disasters, and other interruptions initiating in other locations.

Unlike the non-standalone (NSA) track in which communications work with existing 4G equipment, the SA track uses only 5G equipment to maximize its high-speed, large capacity, low latency, and multiple connection features while holding down installation and operating costs.

This feasibility study will install a base station at the Chubu Electric Power Odai Dormitory (owner: Chuden Real Estate) in Naka-ku, Nagoya City to construct a local SA 5G network in the 4.5 GHz band. The study will examine the feasibility of local 5G implementation utilizing this equipment for installation and operation of the base station as well as radio wave propagation characteristics and communication performance in an actual field at the dormitory facilities and nearby Chubu Electric Power Grid Biwajima substation.

CTC hopes to shorten delivery times by eliminating optical fibers laid to customers residences and provide high-speed large-capacity service with wireless local 5G technology over the last mile to customers’ homes from fiber trunk cables as part of Commufa Hikari brand’s Internet, telephone and television service. This study will assess the feasibility of using local 5G for Internet connections and examine its commercialization.

Chubu Electric Power has been conducting research with the aim of developing solutions for rapid facility restoration during disasters by making use of remote monitoring, video transmission, image analysis, and other capabilities 5G offers as well as enhancing the efficiency of daily service rounds. Chubu Electric Power is conducting this feasibility study to compare local 5G with that offered by mobile carriers on which research has previously been pursued and ascertain their respective characteristics so that the company may construct its own advanced communications network.

CTC and Chubu Electric Power will continue to promote 5G and other initiatives that establish next-generation information and communication technologies.

Attachment

• Overview of the Local 5G Joint Feasibility Study