NTT Com, DOCOMO and May Mobility Successfully Demonstrate Network Slicing Technology

TOKYO, JAPAN, April 17, 2025 —NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com), NTT DOCOMO, INC. (DOCOMO) and May Mobility, Inc. (May Mobility) jointly announced today that they have successfully conducted a demonstration of autonomous driving using “network slicing”,1 a communication stabilization technology deployed in 5G Standalone (5G SA)2 networks, and “5G Wide”3 technology that offers packet prioritization and is designed to help advance autonomous driving capabilities.

The demonstration confirmed the effectiveness of applying network slicing to a 5G network, a process that ensures stable high-resolution video transmission and consistent communication speeds, both of which are crucial for remote monitoring in Level 4 autonomous driving.4 Additionally, by combining network slicing with 5G Wide capabilities, a process that enables stable communication over wide and expansive areas, high communication quality was achieved across the entire autonomous driving route. Building on these results, the companies aim to contribute to the realization of Level 4 autonomous driving in the future.

1. Background

Real-time remote monitoring using video, audio, and location data from unmanned autonomous vehicles is a mandatory requirement for Level 4 autonomous driving. However, in crowded areas such as urban centers and tourist spots, unstable communication remains a challenge that needs to be addressed.

NTT Com provides a wide range of capabilities as part of its comprehensive corporate 5G consulting service “docomo business Private 5G;”5 these help to ensure stable mobile communication even in crowded areas and at peak hours. By incorporating network slicing capabilities, the company aims to stabilize area-wide mobile communication across multiple services.

2. Demonstration Overview

The demonstration was conducted on the route between Nagoya Station to Tsuruma Park operated by DOCOMO and May Mobility as part of Aichi Prefecture's 2024 autonomous driving project. NTT Com evaluated the quality of video transmission between in-vehicle cameras and the monitoring center and measured the uplink throughput values of the mobile network. The demonstration addressed the following issues:

Verification of image quality using network slicing and 5G Wide capabilities

Video footage from an onboard camera installed in May Mobility’s autonomous vehicle was transmitted to a monitoring center in Tokyo using a combination of network slicing and 5G Wide capabilities. The stabilized uplink throughput ensured high-quality video transmission, allowing clear and precise monitoring of the local environment, even in crowded areas.

Area-wide stabilization of required uplink throughput values

During autonomous driving, vehicles must communicate while in motion with multiple carrier radio base stations (devices that transmit and receive radio waves) and there may be fluctuations in throughput values at peak hours and in crowded areas. During this demonstration, the combined use of network slicing and 5G Wide capabilities suppressed such fluctuations and maintained the required uplink throughput across the entire area. As a result, the target uplink throughput was sustained across approximately 96% of the route (compared to approximately 73% with conventional connections).

3. Participating Companies’ Roles

NTT Com

• Development and evaluation of the video transmission system using network slicing and 5G Wide capabilities

NTT DOCOMO

• Construction of network infrastructure

May Mobility

• Operation of the autonomous driving system and provision of technical guidance for its application in autonomous driving

4. Future Developments

Based on the insights gained from this demonstration, NTT Com and DOCOMO will work with May Mobility to explore the application of area-wide mobile communication stabilization technology for autonomous driving. Additionally, by leveraging the network slicing capabilities of 5G SA, they aim to expand and enhance the “docomo business Private 5G” offerings to deliver tailored network solutions for a variety of use cases.

Moving forward, NTT Com and DOCOMO will collaborate with existing 5G customers and partner companies to create new value and help address social challenges.

1 A technology used in 5G SA that enables the virtual partitioning (slicing) of networks to meet diverse needs. It allows for the provision of optimal networks that can flexibly accommodate various use cases.

2 A communication method that combines 5G base stations with a dedicated 5G core network (5G-Core or 5GC).

3 A technology that prioritizes packet allocation for 5G Wide users over general users, ensuring stable communication and improved communication speeds even in congested areas and during peak times.

4 It refers to the real-time monitoring of vehicle status, including location and video feeds. It is a legal requirement for Level 4 autonomous driving under Japan’s Road Traffic Act Enforcement Regulations, Article 9-29, set by the National Police Agency.

5 It is a comprehensive consulting service that supports the deployment of mobile networks—including 5G—tailored to customer requirements. Services range from area surveys to design, construction, and implementation support.

6 A communication system that combines 5G base stations with a 4G core network.