Japanese telecom company NTT DOCOMO and online service provider DeNA Co. have partnered to deliver trial environments of 5G communications system for self-driving vehicles, according to NTT DOCOMO's press release on November 11. The collaboration will combine DOCOMO's 5G technologies and DeNA's experience in delivering services for connected vehicles. This trial will use a 5G network with high-speed data rates beyond 10Gbps to connect an autonomous vehicle and a remote center, which can check for any driving anomalies and provides passengers with assistance as needed.

In related news, Japan Today reported on November 14 that NTT DOCOMO expects to begin delivery of trial environments for 5G mobile communications in Japan from May 2017 at the earliest. The company plans to launch its commercial 5G system in 2020, utilizing the 28GHz frequency band that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is considering to designate for commercial 5G networks in Japan.