Kyocera and Ube Industries have signed a joint venture agreement to manufacture ceramic filters for 5G base stations.
Kyocera will buy 51 percent stake in Ube Electronics, a subsidiary of Ube Industries, for an undisclosed amount. Kyocera and Ube Industries will set up a joint venture named Kyocera-Ube RF TEC Corporation, which will commence operations in December 2019.

5G technology involves two types of base stations: “macro-cell base stations,” which provide coverage to relatively wider areas, and “small-cell base stations,” with coverage for highly populated areas.

Ceramic filter, manufactured by Ube Electronics, is a key component enabling macro cell base stations. The ceramic filters paired with antennas remove unwanted signal elements and allow the desired signal to be transmitted or received. Ceramic filters are expected to replace metallic filters in 5G infrastructure because ceramic technology offers component miniaturization while ensuring high power output.

The joint venture will be combining the filter design technology of Ube Electronics with Kyocera’s ceramic components manufacturing expertise and sales network to meet rising demand for these key components enabling the expansion of 5G technology.