Chinese ZTE Corporation has company signed a memorandum of understanding with SoftBank to collaborate on research and development on Pre5G mobile communications networks technology. Under the MOU, the two companies will cooperate on R&D, evaluation and verification of mobile communications solutions based on ZTE’s Pre5G technology, including Massive MIMO (multiple input multiple output). The agreement builds on existing cooperation between SoftBank and ZTE on technologies including Massive MIMO, UDN (ultra-dense networks) and MUSA (multi-user shared access).

ZTE’s Massive MIMO base stations have the capability to support more than 100 antenna elements, and provide higher space division multiplexing gains than traditional 8-antenna base stations without changing existing terminals or air interfaces, enhancing spectrum utilization. With ZTE’s Massive MIMO base station, up to eight users can transfer data simultaneously.

Keiichi Makizono, Senior Vice President of SoftBank, said, "The technology being developed under this agreement will help define future Mobile Internet communications. In our plans to develop next-generation mobile networks, SoftBank will derive large benefits from the Pre5G collaboration with ZTE.”

Japan has always been at the forefront of the world in the field of communications technologies. In the 5G field, Japan is expected to be the industry leader of 5G networks, paving the way for making its 5G technology a global standard.