Sony Wireless Communications, a Sony subsidiary, announced on November 29, 2021 that it will start offering "NURO Wireless 5G," an Internet connection service for apartments that uses local 5G, from the spring of 2022.
It has already started pre-services for areas / users only from October 1, and is said to be the first fixed Internet connection service for homes with a local 5G commercial license in Japan. In the future, it has revealed that it plans to provide not only services for individuals but also services for corporations.
Jun Watanabe, President and CEO of Sony Wireless Communications, said, "We would like to expand into BtoB business through collaboration in the entertainment field and cooperation with Sony broadcasting equipment. High-speed lines in our area. Even if you want to provide a new service using Sony, you will be able to make proposals that utilize the features of local 5G. "
First, we provide services in parts of Hokkaido, Kanto (Tokyo / Kanagawa / Saitama / Chiba), Tokai (Aichi / Shizuoka), Kansai (Osaka / Hyogo / Nara), and Kyushu (Fukuoka). After that, the service area is planned to be gradually expanded.
Overview of Sony Wireless Communications' NURO Wireless 5G Internet connection service for apartments
(From left) Mr. Jun Watanabe, President of Sony Wireless Communications / President of Sony Network Communications, Mr. Yoshiki Mizuno (guest), his leader / guitarist, and Mr. Toshimoto Osamu, managing business development platform of Sony Group
Local 5G will be a unique 5G network for a limited area and a limited number of users. Mr. Watanabe explains that it can be provided as a service optimized for user needs and environment because it is difficult for access concentration to occur and it is easy to take advantage of 5G features such as ultra-high speed, large capacity, ultra-low latency, and multiple simultaneous connections. ..
"We can create a communication infrastructure that meets the demands of the future, such as being able to experience rich content and using IoT devices in a secure environment. The greatest thing is that we can provide the communication infrastructure that users want in the form they want. Is the significance of "(Mr. Watanabe)
The NURO Wireless 5G announced this time is capable of high-quality communication, has no speed limit, can be used without worrying about the amount of data with the same monthly charge, does not require construction, and only installs a home router in the service area. The feature is that you can start using it immediately. We also offer a 7-day free trial, and you can make a contract after checking the actual speed.
NURO Wireless 5G home router (prototype).Rental offer to users
The advantage of the service for multi-family housing is that it can provide high-speed Internet connection even in cases where optical cables cannot be routed due to problems with building equipment because of wireless communication.
"First of all, I want you to use it for a short period of time and experience the goodness of local 5G. Also, the equipment is rented and you do not need to purchase it. You can use it for about 5,000 yen per month, which is equivalent to the" NURO Hikari "service." (Mr. Watanabe)
The local 5G network has a stand-alone (SA) configuration and uses the 4.8 to 4.9 GHz frequency band. In the future, it is also considering support for the millimeter wave band.
"I want people who are not satisfied with the current communication environment to use it first. Also, for people who are not satisfied with the uniform communication service and want to use it in their own environment, new communication I would like to propose it as an environment. We can provide an optimal communication environment not only for professional creators but also for many people who create content. "(Mr. Watanabe)
Image of the service provided (from the company's website).A mechanism to install a dedicated antenna in an apartment where it is difficult to connect optical fibers and provide high-speed Internet connection to each house
"Satisfaction for both creators and users", a subsidiary specializing in local 5G services
Sony Wireless Communications was established on October 16, 2020 as a company of the Sony Group, which operates a local 5G business. Mr. Watanabe, the president of both companies, explains the difference from Sony Network Communications, which provides services such as "NURO Hikari" and "NURO Mobile", as follows.
"Sony Network Communications is responsible for the public telecommunications business, which provides services close to" clay pipes. "On the other hand, local 5G has a limited area and is individualized for people in the area. Since we aim to realize optimized communication services, we have separated the business and made it a separate corporation as Sony Wireless Communications. "" Local 5G is said to be "democratization of communication." Many people are richer. We believe that we will be able to fulfill the wishes of the entire Sony Group, which will provide people with a unique experience and inspire them. "(Mr. Watanabe)
Mr. Watanabe of Sony Wireless Communications, Mr. Osamu of Sony Group
In addition, Sony Group Managing Director Toshimoto Osamu, who is in charge of the business development platform, explained that Sony's purpose (meaning of existence as a company) is "to fill the world with excitement with the power of creativity and technology." On top of that, we have positioned this NURO Wireless 5G as a new experience for both creators and users.
"The experience value of entertainment is expanding rapidly. In addition, the social environment has changed rapidly in Korona-ka, and the way of enjoying entertainment has changed significantly. It gives you the feeling of being at a live venue while you are at home. I strongly feel the growing desire to feel closer to the artist. The Sony Group will also utilize new technologies and work to create new entertainment experiences that utilize the synergies of the group. Accelerate it. To that end, we believe that it is important for the Sony Group to provide a variety of users with a communication infrastructure that realizes high speed, large capacity, ultra-low latency, multiple simultaneous connections, and high security, and to connect creators and users. With local 5G, we can enhance the creativity of creators and deliver new experiences to users. "
Ikimonogakari Mizuno talks about expectations for local 5G services
Yoshiki Mizuno, an artist of Ikimonogakari, attended the recital as a guest. From the standpoint of providing live and music content, he talked about his expectations for a large-capacity / low-latency Internet connection service using local 5G.
"The quality of the sound of music has changed with the development of media, and the way it is made has also changed. Large capacity and low delay are important factors for music. Now, the three-dimensional impression and heat that can be experienced at a live venue are kept as they are. You can't deliver it to your home or to another venue. If you can do this, the way you make music and the way you direct live performances will change, and you'll be able to do more than ever. Only at large venues. It is possible not only to create a stage for the music, but also to create content for a specific person. Also, not only can you enjoy it on your smartphone as it is now, but you can also use VR devices to stimulate all five senses. It will be interesting if new content is born. I hope that the spread of local 5G will lead to such movements. "(Mr. Mizuno)
Mr. Mizuno, who attended as a guest
