Core & OAM Technologies

Overview

Mobile network technologies have historically evolved into new generations approximately every ten years, and discussions on 6G are currently underway.
In examining new network architectures for 6G, greater emphasis is placed on addressing societal challenges such as ensuring sustainability and enhancing reliability as critical infrastructure.

In addition, in anticipation of advances in AI technologies and the widespread adoption of immersive services such as virtual reality, support for new usage scenarios is increasingly required.

Key considerations in the design of 6G network architectures include the connectivity between the core network and the radio access network, commonality and independence with respect to 5G systems, and smooth migration paths from existing networks.
In 3GPP standardization activities, optimal network architectures incorporating these considerations will be discussed.

In addition to the above, NTT DOCOMO considers it important to reduce network complexity—such as by integrating similar functions—in order to improve cost efficiency and operational effectiveness.
Furthermore, we seek to realize a highly scalable network architecture that can respond rapidly and flexibly to new services in the 6G era.

Create value

NTT DOCOMO considers network simplification to be a key priority, as it is expected to enable reduced power consumption and improved operational efficiency, while also enhancing network robustness.
By realizing highly scalable networks, mobile network operators can flexibly address diverse requirements across different regions and countries.

As one example of technologies for the 6G era, NTT DOCOMO is focusing on In-Network Computing.
By leveraging this technology, computationally intensive processing for immersive services—such as AI-based video analytics and the metaverse—can be supported within the network.

As a result, even devices with simplified functionality, such as smart glasses, will be able to deliver comfortable and high-quality user experiences.
Enhancing network scalability enables such advanced capabilities to be introduced flexibly in accordance with service and user requirements.
Furthermore, networks incorporating HAPS and satellite systems will enable wide-area coverage, including sparsely populated and remote regions.

This will allow areas that currently face difficulties in accessing network services to benefit from 6G connectivity.
NTT DOCOMO is advancing studies on optimal network architectures for the 6G era that can deliver these values.

Overview

In-Network Computing (INC) offloads the data processing load on user devices by enabling computational processing to be supported within the network.
Through the application of INC, even devices with simplified functionality, such as wearables, can provide comfortable experience for intensive processing tasks, including AI-based video analytics.

In collaboration with NTT, NTT DOCOMO is conducting research and development on ISAP (In-network Service Acceleration Platform), which serves as the platform of INC, based on the Inclusive Core concept that proposes a core network architecture for the 6G/IOWN era.
ISAP optimizes communication and computing configurations according to device connectivity conditions and cloud service usage.

NTT and NTT DOCOMO are conducting proof-of-concept demonstrations of the INC architecture based on this platform.
Through these efforts, the effectiveness and feasibility of INC are being validated, and it is expected to contribute to the evolution of future communication infrastructures.

Create value

Toward 6G, AI-enabled solutions as well as immersive services such as XR and the metaverse are expected to become increasingly accessible.
The use of solutions and applications on devices with simplified functionality, such as wearable terminals, is also anticipated to expand further.
For example, video captured by in-vehicle cameras, drones, or smart glasses can be analyzed in real time using AI to enable object detection near roadways and the inspection of social infrastructure such as traffic signals and utility poles.
In such use cases, AI-based video analytics may require advanced computational capabilities, while efficient processing may be challenging on device hardware alone.
To address these challenges, NTT DOCOMO aims to enable the comfortable use of advanced solutions and applications even on simplified devices by applying In-Network Computing (INC).

In Japanese Only

Overview

Intent-driven management is a new approach to the operation and maintenance of mobile communication networks, aiming to reduce technological complexity and enable communication service providers to flexibly respond to business needs.
In conventional management approaches, operators need to have detailed knowledge of the network and manually configure network settings.

In contrast, intent-driven management enables networks to be automatically configured based on high-level objectives that describe the intended outcomes.
By defining intents based on specific requirements and constraints, the system automatically selects optimal actions—using technologies such as AI—to achieve the desired outcomes.
The system then continuously monitors whether the defined intents are being fulfilled and, if deviations are detected, automatically selects alternative optimal actions.

Through this approach, consumers of communication services can easily express their needs, while operators can deliver services effectively without relying on deep technical expertise.
Intent-driven management aims to enhance network flexibility and improve operational efficiency, thereby enabling smoother and faster service delivery.

Create value

Intent-driven management, as being studied in organizations such as 3GPP, is a technology that transforms the operation and maintenance of mobile communication networks and enables a wide range of use cases.
This technology allows service-specific requirements to be expressed in a simple and intuitive manner, for example, specifying that a V2X communication service should be provided to a particular group of vehicles within a defined time period.
By expressing requirements in this way, technical aspects related to service and network management are automatically configured and monitored, even without detailed technical expertise.

As a result, complex network management tasks are simplified, enabling rapid service deployment.

Furthermore, intents allow outcomes to be measured based on quantitative targets, making it easier to visualize results and perform data analysis for operational improvement.
Ultimately, efficient operations enabled by intent-driven management are expected to contribute to improved customer satisfaction and enhanced competitiveness, driving the evolution of the telecommunications industry as a whole.