Samsung scores additional 5G equipment deal with NTT Docomo

Samsung Electronics‘ 5G network equipment supplied to NTT Docomo [Photo provided by Samsung Electronics]

Samsung Electronics Wednesday announced it will expand supply of 5G network equipment to Japan’s leading mobile operator NTT Docomo.

Samsung’s equipment to be supplied to NTT DoCoMo includes a new ultra-light and compact 5G radio base station designed to support the 28GHz ultra-high frequency band, the Korean electronics behemoth said in a press release.

The equipment weighs 4.5kg and is easy to install in the city center or populated areas to effectively support heavy data traffic, according to Samsung Electronics.

Samsung Electronics said that NTT Docomo’s additional order for its 5G equipment and the supply expansion is a testament to its 5G technology leadership in the Japanese market.

Back in March last year, Samsung Electronics won a fresh deal to supply 5G network equipment to NTT Docomo.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee [Photo by Yonhap]

Samsung Electronics said Chairman Jay Y. Lee’s global networking was instrumental to the supply expansion as mutual trust between buyer and supplier is important in telecommunications equipment business given a usually large contract size and long-term partnership. In 2019, Chairman Lee visited NTT Docomo’s Japanese headquarters and discussed with its leadership team ways to strengthen their cooperation, paving the way for 5G equipment exports.

Entrepreneur networking has been his signature style in management.

In September last year, Lee met with DISH Network founder Charlie Ergen in person for partnership. The two went hiking for hours in Colorado where DISH Network headquarters is stationed before closing their talks.

In 2020, Lee personally met with Hans Vestberg, CEO of Verizon Communications, the world’s largest wireless service provider, before the two companies inked a $6.65 billion deal for long-term supply of 5G telecom equipment.

Samsung Electronics also said it is preemptive in preparation for the post-5G era. The company established a next-generation telecommunications research center under Samsung Research in May 2019 to conduct early research on 6G solutions. In July 2020, Samsung Electronics released a white paper entitled “The Next Hyper-Connected Experience for All”, outlining its vision for the 6G communication system.