Japan-based rivals NTT and KDDI agreed to jointly develop next-generation optical networks to prepare for 6G, pledging to promote open innovation with partners and push standardisation to spread photonics technology globally.

In a statement, KDDI explained the companies will research and develop high-capacity optical communication systems for domestic backbone transmission and submarine cable systems for long-distance transmission overseas.

KDDI argued the spread of data across society will accelerate in the 6G era, requiring a huge amount of information processing and making it ā€œnecessary to further expand the transmission capacity of existing information communication systems, increase the processing speed and reduce power consumption required for carbon neutralityā€.

The standardisation work will focus on transmission methods for all-photonics networks to deliver high-speed and -quality; and standards for all-photonics networks in mobile communications and orchestration technology in the beyond 5G and 6G era.

Their activities will be based on the NTT-backed Innovative Optical and Wireless Network Global Forum, with the aim to standardise the technology in the ITUā€™s Telecommunication Standardisation sector.

KDDI is a major player in the global submarine cable sector.

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