SoftBank will conduct 5G mobile trial over sub6GHz spectrum at 4.5GHz across metropolitan areas in Tokyo – in association with ZTE Corporation.

ZTE will provide 5G network solutions. ZTE, a China-based telecom equipment maker, will work with SoftBank to verify the performance of 5G technologies under real world conditions.

SoftBank has started research and development (R&D) with ZTE on key 5G technology, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), which has been commercially deployed in its live 4G network since the second half of 2016.

Based on their experience from the commercial network, SoftBank and ZTE are planning to further explore leveraging this technology in the 5G era.