Japan's NTT Docomo has revealed plans to establish a 5G test lab in Guam next year to allow its 5G Open Partner Program participants to conduct verification testing of their 5G solutions.
The facility, Docomo's first overseas verification center, will allow Docomo's Program partners to connect devices and services free of charge to the lab's 5G base and mobile stations and related equipment.
The test environment will subsequently be extended to outdoor locations to allow verification testing in real-world outdoor environments.
The facility's location in Guam will allow for testing according to US-market technical and regulatory conditions.
With the initiative, Docomo aims to allow for prompt, flexible and accurate verification of equipment, systems and technologies for applications such as drones and autonomous vehicles.
Docomo's 5G Open Partner Program is designed to provide global businesses and organizations with the latest 5G information, test environments and opportunities for partner workshops. The partner program currently has more than 1,900 members.
Docomo already operates 5G open labs in Seoul and Osaka and plans to open a third domestic lab in Okinawa next month.