Chinese firm Fibocom’s FG360-JP 5G module has completed NTT Docomo interoperability testing and received Jate and Telec certifications; it can now be commercially used on NTT Docomo’s 5G network in Japan.

Japan is one of the fastest growing 5G markets, and NTT Docomo is one of Japan’s largest operators. By completing the interoperability testing, the module can offer 5G connectivity for users in Japan.

In addition, it has received Jate and Telec certifications, which are mandatory for wireless products to be operated in Japan. The module can empower a wide range of IoT applications on NTT Docomo’s 5G network, including FWA (CPE, ODU, gateway, router), Mifi, industrial monitoring and telemedicine.

“We are proud to see that the Fibocom FG360 series has reached another milestone,” said Jin Pak, vice president at Fibocom. “Fibocom looks forward to expanding our footprint in the Japanese 5G market with our FG360-JP module. Having completed this interoperability testing ahead helps customers reducing time to market, ensuring that they can take full advantage of NTT Docomo’s network.”

Coming with a quad-core 2GHz Arm Cortex-A55 CPU, the module supports 2CC CA (Carrier Aggregation) on 200MHz frequency to improve the use of spectrum resources and ensure extended 5G coverage. Supporting Wifi 6 AX1800, AX3600 (mainstream), AX4200 and AX6000 configurations, the module allows end devices to enjoy the benefits of high-speed 5G plus Wifi 6 connectivity. It is designed to bring 5G experiences to FWA terminals such as enterprise routers and gateways, CPE, Mifi and so on.

Supporting 5G standalone and non-standalone network architectures, the module is backwards compatible with LTE and WCDMA network standards. It also has high integration and performance that cover global main frequency bands and ENDC with NA and EAU SKUs. Based on the MediaTek T750 chipset platform, the module delivers maximum downlink rates of 4.67Gbit/s and uplink rates of 1.25Gbit/s.

The module has an LGA form factor and interfaces such as USB3.1, PCIe3.0, uart, SPI and GPIO, allowing flexibility and ease of integration for deployments. It also supports multi-constellation GNSS, including GPS, Glonass, Beidou, QZSS and Galileo.

• Fibocom participated in last month’s 33rd GTI Online Workshop. Shirley Tang, Fibocom’s director of product marketing, spoke on how 5G reduced capability (RedCap) benefits verticals.

GTI is an international cooperation platform dedicated to promoting mobile information technology and industry development. Fibocom, as a GTI partners, has always been deeply involved in industry discussions, actively working with industry partners to promote the commercialisation of 5G.

The workshop gathered operators, chipset vendors, module vendors and terminal equipment manufacturers to discuss the development trends of 5G. Fibocom, focusing on the development of wireless communication technology and applications, shared views on the 5G RedCap module and its empowerment for verticals.

For applications with low speed and latency requirements, 3GPP has introduced 5G RedCap in release 17, for the overall improvement of 5G network quality and coverage. RedCap falls between eMBB and LPWA to ensure a balance of capabilities in terms of speed, coverage, energy consumption and cost performance. The emergence of RedCap is expected to fill the gaps of massive connectivity demands for diversified marketplaces, even paving the way for the metaverse.

Chipset and module manufacturers are taking action for 5G RedCap. Fibocom has started research on 5G RedCap, aligning its product development with the R17 standard to meet various market needs. The R17-based RedCap allows 5G modules to be more power efficient, cost-effective, customised and simplified, which is set to empower a wide range of verticals such as smart grid, industrial gateways, routers, video surveillance and wearables.

“RedCap will effectively facilitate 5G networks to empower more low and mid-speed IoT scenarios,” said Tang. “Fibocom continues to focus on the development of wireless communication technology and dives into the opportunities and challenges of 5G applications, achieving the goal of low cost and green 5G.”