KDDI, SoftBank to jointly deploy 5G infrastructure in rural Japan

Japanese operators KDDI and SoftBank have reached an agreement for the shared use of their base station assets to jointly promote the rapid deployment of 5G networks in Japan’s rural areas, the carriers said in a statement. Since 5G networks in Japan use the 28 GHz and 3.7 GHz high-frequency bands, many base stations need to be installed nationwide, and this requires long-term construction and large investment commitments, both telcos said, adding that this is why they need to promote mutual infrastructure sharing to efficiently construct a network of 5G base stations. To accelerate the deployment of 5G networks in rural areas, KDDI and SoftBank said they will explore options with a view to establishing a joint construction management company that would facilitate construction designs and manage construction work to efficiently utilize the base station assets of both companies.