NTT DOCOMO and NEC Corporation have announced the launch of Japan's first commercial 5G core network on Amazon Web Services (AWS), marking a significant advancement in telecommunications infrastructure. The network, which went live on February 26, utilizes an advanced architecture built with Agentic AI, enabling rapid capacity expansion and improved reliability.
The companies also achieved a world-first by automating the design and construction of the 5G core network using Agentic AI combined with GitOps in a hybrid cloud environment. This approach reduces human error and cuts construction time by approximately 80% compared to traditional methods.
Since March 2022, DOCOMO and NEC have been testing 5G core network equipment on a hybrid cloud using AWS, aiming to enhance deployment flexibility and reliability. The integration of DOCOMO's proprietary virtualization platform with AWS required overcoming challenges related to network and security design. The successful implementation ensures seamless operation in a hybrid cloud environment.
NEC redesigned the architecture to establish a construction and operation model based on infrastructure as code (IaC) and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) for AWS. The process incorporated AWS managed services like AWS CloudFormation, AWS CodeBuild, and AWS CodePipeline, contributing to improved network operational efficiency.
Operational tests demonstrated a power consumption reduction of approximately 70% by using AWS Graviton2 processors. In a commercial setting, the network built on AWS Graviton3 is expected to yield similar environmental benefits.
The automation of the 5G core network construction process, a collaboration between DOCOMO, DOCOMO BUSINESS, and DOCOMO SOLUTIONS, involved using GitOps to automate tasks from cloud infrastructure to network construction. The implementation of Agentic AI with Amazon Bedrock AgentCore allowed for the automation of complex configuration tasks, significantly reducing the construction period.
The companies plan to further enhance AI utilization to improve network speed, precision, and operational efficiency. The automated 5G core construction solution is currently showcased at the 2026 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, highlighting the innovation in AI-powered communication infrastructure.
Executives from the involved companies expressed optimism about the advancements. Nobuko Hiraguchi of NTT DOCOMO emphasized the integration of AWS's scalable cloud platform with NEC's reliable 5G core and DOCOMO BUSINESS's AI expertise as a major step forward. Takashi Sato of NEC highlighted the combination of Japanese telecommunications technology with a global cloud platform as a transformative achievement.
Yuichi Ikejiri of NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS and Mikihiko Tsunematsu of AWS Japan also underscored the significance of AI and cloud technologies in revolutionizing telecommunications, enabling operators to meet customer needs more efficiently and reliably.
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