en.Wedoany.com Reported - Japanese operators KDDI and NTT DOCOMO have jointly announced the development of a shared 5G millimeter wave repeater capable of relaying signals for both carriers simultaneously. Manufactured by Kyocera, the device is scheduled to begin field testing at Tokyo's Ueno Park this summer.
5G communication leverages the wide bandwidth of the millimeter wave spectrum to achieve ultra-high-speed, high-capacity transmission. However, millimeter wave signals propagate in a straight line and are easily blocked by physical obstacles, traditionally requiring the deployment of numerous base stations to form continuous coverage. Previously, KDDI developed wireless relay technology in December 2024, achieving continuous coverage by relaying base station signals between areas, focusing on high-traffic zones such as Tokyo's Nishi-Shinjuku district and the area around Takana Gateway Station. Meanwhile, DOCOMO has been advancing millimeter wave coverage in entertainment venues like sports stadiums. The development of this shared repeater aims to unify the coverage efforts previously pursued independently by each operator, accelerating the expansion process.
The core breakthrough of this repeater lies in its multi-operator compatibility. Traditional repeaters only support signals from a single operator. By integrating filters and amplifiers into a shared configuration within the existing device housing, Kyocera enables a single unit to simultaneously relay millimeter wave signals from both KDDI and DOCOMO. The repeater is equipped with a function that detects signals from each operator and automatically selects the optimal antenna surface, mitigating communication quality degradation caused by differences in input signal direction and strength. Compared to installing separate devices for each operator, this solution significantly reduces installation costs and physical space requirements.
The repeater also achieves autonomous area formation. The device's antenna can dynamically switch between the donor side (receiving base station signals) and the service side (transmitting signals to users), eliminating the need for manual adjustment of antenna roles and directions, greatly enhancing installation flexibility. The repeaters interconnect in a mesh configuration; upon detecting signal degradation from base stations or other repeaters, they instantly calculate and switch to the optimal relay path to address signal blocking caused by environmental changes such as buildings, trees, or large trucks. The repeater measures 216 mm by 216 mm by 246 mm and weighs just 4.9 kg, reducing size and weight by approximately 70% compared to traditional millimeter wave base stations. It can be installed on existing infrastructure such as streetlights, minimizing environmental and visual impact.
Field testing will take place at Tokyo's Ueno Park. Operators will install shared repeaters in the park to relay signals from KDDI and DOCOMO millimeter wave base stations. Tests will cover area expansion effects in the 28 GHz band (including coverage range, communication quality, data rates, etc.), autonomous area formation and path optimization performance in response to environmental changes, and operational benefits such as equipment cost and installation efficiency, to assess the feasibility of future commercial deployment.
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