ESPOO, Finland—Nokia has announced a major partnership with DOCOMO and NTT to jointly define and develop key technologies for 6G wireless services. 

The companies said that they will focus on two proof-of-concepts for the emerging 6G technologies: an AI native air interface and sub-THz radio access. 

These aim to demonstrate a performance gain with an AI based 6G air interface compared to a conventional air interface, and to show that high-data rate beamformed access can be achieved in a high frequency band at 140 GHz.

Nokia and DOCOMO have a long history of pioneering wireless research that started with 3G in the 1990s and include work on both 4G and newer 5G offering, including 5G O-RAN. 

While deployments of 5G are ongoing and most experts believe 6G is years away, a number of telcos and researchers have been working to refine and develop next generation, 6G, of wireless technologies. 

In announcing the collaboration, Nokia said that it believes 6G will not just build on existing technologies and systems but expand and transform what a network can do, fusing the human, physical and digital worlds.  

To achieve that, Nokia has outlined six key technologies that will be vital components of future 6G networks: new spectrum technologies, AI native air interface, network as a sensor, extreme connectivity, cognitive, automated and specialized architectures, and security and trust.

Among the six key technology components, the initial focus of the partnership is to demonstrate the benefits of AI-based learned waveform in the transmitter with a deep learning receiver in the mid-band, as well as to test high data rate indoor communications in the sub-THz band. 

These technologies have the potential to substantially improve deployment flexibility and to increase network throughput beyond that of 5G in the respective spectrum bands without necessarily increasing energy consumption. 

Providing high-rate access will be important in enabling enhanced and new use cases in the 6G era, such as multi-modal mixed-reality telepresence and remote collaboration, massive twinning and collaborating robots.

The participating companies plan is to set up environments for experiments and demonstrations in DOCOMO and NTT premises in Japan and Nokia premises in Stuttgart, Germany, and to begin performing the desired tests and measurements in 2022.

"DOCOMO has been collaborating with Nokia since 2014 to accelerate the experimental trials for 5G wireless technology and promote the creation of new use cases,” explained 

Naoki Tani, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at DOCOMO. “We are excited to work with Nokia to realize the 6G concept. DOCOMO and NTT will now start the experimental trials of two 6G proof-of-concepts for high-rate transmission in the sub-THz band and AI native air interface, and contribute to 6G commercialization with vertical industry partners."

Peter Vetter, president Bell Labs Core Research, Nokia, added that “We envision that 6G will unify the human experience across the digital, physical and human worlds. We build on a long tradition of collaborations between the world-leading labs at DOCOMO and Nokia Bell Labs. Nokia is very honored to engage in this collaboration with DOCOMO and NTT, as global leading operators that are always among the first to bring new generations to the market. We look forward to working together and validating key concepts and key technologies to realize the 6G vision.”

INDIANAPOLIS—NTT and Penske Entertainment have announced that they will be providing an enhanced, more immersive experience for INDYCAR fans in time for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29. 

“Fans are the lifeblood of our series,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Penske Entertainment. “INDYCAR will continue investing in the incredible technology that brings fans closer to the action and we have a great partner with NTT. They are consistently bringing forward new innovations to help us engage a global audience. Last year, we saw fan engagement increase at an unprecedented rate. We hope to continue on that trajectory with the help of NTT.”

NTT has gathered millions of data points from prior seasons and the first five events of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES utilizing its data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin capabilities to deliver more in-depth, real-time and predictive insights, the companies said. 

NTT provides fans with data-driven predictions, ranging from the best overtake opportunities to how pit and fuel strategies will play out during a race. 

NTT INDYCAR SERIES fans can access these predictive analytics for the entire season by following the NTT INDYCAR SERIES social media channels, where insights will be displayed during races including the upcoming Indianapolis 500.  

In addition, NTT will continue supplying these insights and analytics to NBC’s production team with plans underway for broadcast inclusion as the season moves forward.

To accomplish this, NTT creates a digital twin for every car. A digital twin uses historical data as a foundation to mirror a physical object, like a car. Each car has more than 140 sensors collecting millions of data points during the race, which are fed into the digital twin to produce predictions based on historical performance and real-time conditions. 

As the longest race of the season with 500 miles/200 laps of competition, the Indy 500 will yield more data than any other race, with more than eight billion data points collected. This allows NTT to predict race strategy with a high level of accuracy using AI and predictive analytics, giving an insider’s view of what is happening on the track, and forecasts that - until now - only a race team engineer would have known.

The INDYCAR Data Insights powered by NTT include:

• Race strategies and predictions
• Intercepts and battles for position
• Pit stop performance impact
• Effects of fuel levels and tire wear

“We’ve leveled up the interactive experience for fans with actual digital twins of each racecar and more predictive analytics, so INDYCAR fans can feel as close to the driver’s seat as possible,” said Eric Clark, chief digital officer, NTT DATA Services. “For us, this 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 is an exciting milestone in an already engaging season. We look forward to bringing more innovation and leading-edge digital technology to our friends at Penske Entertainment so they may continue to reach new heights in one of the largest and longest running traditions in sports.”

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the world’s largest sports venue with capacity to host crowds in excess of 350,000, has been transformed into a Smart Venue using NTT’s Smart Solutions, improving the visitor experience for attendees and employees alike. Operations and security teams have improved visibility into current and possible scenarios with digital twin technology, as well as AI-enabled optical detection providing real-time view of the venue, including visitor and vehicle traffic flow and congestion, they’re able to optimize resources in real time and make faster, data-driven decisions. NTT’s Smart Solutions also benefit fans through the IMS Mobile App, which updates predictions of gate entry wait times and peak traffic areas every 30 seconds to allow fans to better plan their entry into the venue.

“NTT delivers co-innovation with our clients every day and the work we’re doing with INDYCAR is a perfect example of this,” said Peter Cutts, chief advisory and innovation officer, NTT Ltd. “The interconnected digital backbone and platform NTT developed for INDYCAR leverages new and emerging technologies that enable INDYCAR to push the envelope by reaching new audiences and changing the way fans engage in sport. The applications for this disruptive business model are limitless and can be applied to other industries such as connected cities, healthcare, manufacturing facilities and beyond.”

More information about the work NTT is doing with Penske Entertainment and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is available here. 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—Limelight Networks has announced that Limelight's EdgeXtend has been adopted by NTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator, to expand its content business and improve user experiences for thousands of viewers across Japan.

Using EdgeXtend, DOCOMO can easily expand content delivery to its customers by caching content from its ecosystem of 13 services, Limelight explained. Caching on-network dramatically reduces the need to repeatedly retrieve content, which can significantly reduce costs. In addition, serving high-quality content from local on-net systems reduces latency and increases reliability. 

With the added performance benefits of Limelight's CDN software and Edge Cache hardware inside their own network, DOCOMO can also enhance streaming video delivery, the companies said.  The deployment also helps operations easily balance steady state traffic and fail-over traffic as well as prioritize individual types of traffic delivery.

"We can deliver valuable content from Limelight's high-performance cache embedded in our network, enabling us to grow our business, meet increased traffic demands, provide a better user experience for our customers, and reduce costs," said Takashi Ito, general manager of the Service Design Department at DOCOMO. 

"By bringing high value streaming video closer to its end users, DOCOMO is able to reach large volumes of subscribers from locations that will allow for the best possible viewing experience," added Takayuki Tadokoro, Japan Country Manager at Limelight Networks. "DOCOMO is a great example of how to most efficiently grow business and tap into new revenue opportunities from the next-generation digital and media services."

SECAUCUS, N.J.—Take me out to the ballgame could have a whole new meaning soon as a result of a recent Proof of Concept from NTT and Major League Baseball. As part of the two organization’s recently announced multi-year technology agreement, NTT successfully tested its Ultra Reality Viewing technology during Game 3 of the American League Divisional Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros.

The goal of the demonstration was to verify the feasibility of a real-time, super high definition surround video fan experience of a live sporting event.

NTT installed multiple 4K cameras at Tropicana Field, the home of the Rays, that transmitted high-definition images (12K wide) in real time to a super-wide screen (90.6x469-inch) with 6ch surround sound at MLB Network’s studio in Secaucus, N.J.

“This URV technology created a uniquely transformative sensation that put the remote viewer into the ballpark and its atmosphere live,” NTT said in its press release.

NTT says that it will continue to work with MLB toward expanding use of URV technology for other fan experiences.

NEW YORK—Baseball fans may not have to go out to the ball game to feel like they are actually there with a newly announced partnership between Major League Baseball and Japan’s NTT technology company. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and NTT President and CEO Jun Sawada announced the multi-year partnership at MLB headquarters on Sept. 4.

The goal of the partnership is to create new experiences for baseball fans. As the new “Official MLB Fan Experience Partner for Ultra Reality Viewing” and “Title Sponsor of MLB Network Ballpark Cam,” NTT will be able to utilize MLB’s distribution platforms, including digital, mobile, social, offline and television.

NTT’s “Ultra Reality Viewing” will be a key part of its offering for baseball fans. URV is a real-time, super high-definition surround video synthesis technology that combines multiple 4K camera images into a 12K image in real time and transmits it to remote locations. Prototype URV experiences are being planned for select upcoming MLB games, with specific details announced at a later date.

NTT will also serve as the title sponsor for MLB’s Ballpark Cam technology, which is a network of cameras installed across all 30 ballparks used for pre- and post-game coverage on MLB Network.

“We’re excited NTT has committed to building an expanded baseball technology portfolio and we eagerly anticipate what the partnership will deliver for clubs and fans,” said Manfred. “Sharing, and executing on, a vision to leverage advanced technologies to benefit baseball fans will serve as the foundation for how our NTT partnership will explore and experiment with unique ways to create new baseball experiences.”

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa—Live sports remains one of the most watched elements of live television, but that doesn’t mean that the experience still can’t be improved upon. According to a new report from research and development company NTT around 54% of viewers are not fully satisfied with sports viewing experiences, but they also say that a solution could be found in the form of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

One area of interest for the use of AI in sporting events is for predicting outcomes. More than half of survey respondents age 18-34 (54%) think AI is capable of successfully predicting the results of a sporting event, with nearly the same amount (52%) suggesting that accurate predictions would make a sporting event more engaging. However, across all ages, only 26% of respondents were aware of AI or machine learning technology being used for sporting events.

Additional findings from the NTT report reveal that 56% of millennials (18-34) said they expect to increase their use of “second screens” during live sporting events over the next three years. Across all age groups, 51% of respondents are tracking live updates of sporting events through a second screen at least once a week. A key motivator for including a second screen experience, according to 34% of participants, is for greater access to data and stats.

“It’s clear ICT infrastructure, the cloud and mobile services have a critical role to play as the sport industry evolves to meet the growing demands of digitally savy supporters,” said NTT in its announcement.