"Samsung Signs 5G Supply Contract with NTT Docomo, Entering Markets of Top Telecom Operators in Korea, US, and Japan"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Joselgina] Samsung Electronics has signed a contract to supply 5G mobile communication equipment with Japan's largest mobile carrier NTT Docomo. This achievement marks Samsung's entry into the networks of the top telecommunications operators in Korea, the United States, and Japan, reaffirming its technological leadership in the 5G market. In particular, expansion of its presence in the technically demanding Japanese market is expected.

According to Samsung Electronics on the 23rd, this contract is the first time Samsung directly supplies mobile communication equipment to NTT Docomo. Going forward, Samsung will supply base stations (RU, Radio Unit) necessary for building NTT Docomo's 5G commercial network, supporting rapid 5G network deployment. As of December 2020, NTT Docomo has approximately 82 million subscribers. Based on mobile service revenue (2019), it ranks among the world's top five mobile carriers alongside Verizon in the U.S., China Mobile in China, AT&T in the U.S., and T-Mobile in the U.S.

With this contract, Samsung Electronics secures NTT Docomo as a 5G customer alongside Japan's second-largest carrier KDDI, expanding its footprint in the Japanese 5G market. This is significant as it marks the first direct contract to supply mobile communication equipment to NTT Docomo after 19 years and follows 14 years since exporting 3G COMA mobile communication equipment to KDDI in 2002. Previously, Samsung supplied equipment in collaboration with local Japanese companies. NTT Docomo, which has led the establishment of global mobile communication standards such as LTE, is known in the industry as a demanding operator that directly employs numerous R&D personnel to conduct technology development.

Stefan Pongratz, an analyst at market research firm Dell'Oro, said, "The contract between NTT Docomo and Samsung Electronics is significant," adding, "NTT Docomo is a company with a history of leading innovative technologies, and with this announcement, Samsung will solidify its position as a major 5G supplier."

Samsung Electronics is leading 5G commercialization with major carriers in advanced 5G markets such as Korea, the U.S., and Japan. After successfully launching the world's first 5G commercial service with the three major Korean mobile carriers, Samsung signed 5G supply contracts with Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint in the U.S. Notably, in September last year, Samsung secured the largest single export contract in Korean telecommunications equipment industry history (7.9 trillion KRW) with Verizon, the world's number one carrier. Additionally, Samsung continues to receive network equipment orders from global carriers such as Canada's Videotron, Telus, SaskTel, U.S. Cellular in the U.S., and Spark in New Zealand.

Satoshi Iwao, Executive Vice President of Network Business at Samsung Electronics Japan, said, "We will do our best to contribute to accelerating NTT Docomo's 5G innovation," adding, "Based on industry-leading technology, we will provide the best network solutions and continuously expand our presence in the global mobile communication market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.