Ericsson signs MoU’s with Murata and Sumitomo to progress next-gen mobile network infrastructure
Introduction:
Ericsson has signed separate memoranda of understanding with Murata Manufacturing and Sumitomo Electric Industries to investigate component, radio, and network technologies for next-generation mobile infrastructure.
The collaborations are intended to link Japanese component and materials expertise with Ericsson’s RAN and system-integration capabilities, with an emphasis on technologies that could improve radio-network performance, lower energy consumption, and strengthen the resilience and trustworthiness of communications infrastructure for the 6G and AI era. Key takeaways:
- Ericsson, Murata Manufacturing and Sumitomo Electric Industries to explore advanced technologies aimed at enhancing network performance and improving product energy efficiency in the 6G and AI era
- Ericsson’s new R&D Center in Yokohama to provide a platform for closer collaboration with Japan’s technology ecosystem
- Collaborations to combine the advanced technology capabilities of Murata and Sumitomo Electric Industries with Ericsson’s global R&D capabilities and mobile network leadership
Focus on RAN innovation:
The MoUs provide a framework for joint technology assessment, engineering knowledge exchange, and proof-of-concept work. The companies will examine how advances in components, interconnects, radio hardware, and related technologies can be incorporated more effectively into future RAN platforms and programmable network architectures.
The work is expected to address a central 6G engineering challenge: translating innovation at the component level into system-level gains in capacity, coverage, energy efficiency, reliability, and operational flexibility. That includes evaluating technologies that can support increasingly software-defined, AI-assisted, and cloud-integrated mobile networks without compromising the performance and determinism required at the radio edge.
Linking components to systems:
Murata brings capabilities in electronic components and RF-related technologies, while Sumitomo Electric contributes expertise spanning optical communications, connectivity, materials, and related infrastructure technologies. Ericsson contributes global RAN research, network-architecture expertise, and experience in the design and deployment of programmable mobile networks.
Rather than positioning the agreements as product-development commitments, the MoUs establish an exploratory basis for identifying technical areas where Japanese component leadership can be aligned with Ericsson’s end-to-end network and RAN roadmap. The intended outcome is to accelerate the transition of promising technologies from component-level research into scalable network solutions relevant to both Japan and international markets.
Yokohama R&D role:
The collaborations will draw on Ericsson’s global R&D organization and its Yokohama R&D Center, which began operations in April 2026. The center develops advanced radio hardware and software for Japanese and global markets, including programmable network technologies, next-generation mobile systems, and open network architectures.
The Yokohama facility also serves as a collaboration point for customers and technology partners and supports Ericsson’s participation in international standardization. Its role is therefore broader than local product development: it connects Japanese technology innovation with Ericsson’s global research programs, ecosystem activities, and standards engagement.
Strategic significance:
For Ericsson, the agreements reinforce a long-term industrial commitment to Japan at a time when 6G research is increasingly focused on the interaction among advanced semiconductors and components, radio systems, AI-native network functions, cloud platforms, and energy-efficient infrastructure.
For the wider industry, the significance lies in the effort to close the gap between high-value component innovation and deployable network architecture. Future 6G systems will depend not only on new spectrum bands and radio techniques, but also on advances in RF front ends, antenna and packaging technologies, optical and electrical interconnects, power efficiency, and software-controlled RAN platforms. These collaborations position Ericsson, Murata, and Sumitomo Electric to evaluate where such technologies can deliver measurable system-level value in future mobile networks.
In August, NTT DoCoMo selected Ericsson’s RAN Compute platform for its networks in Japan, including for its 5G operations. The deployment is expected to improve network quality, and allow for some AI-native and programmable networks with an eye on long-term software evolution.
Executive Quotes:
Hiroshi Izumitani, Executive Vice President (Board Member), Director, Communication & Sensor Business Unit at Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., says:
“Murata has sought to address the challenges faced by its customers and society, contribute to solving them through technology, and support the advancement of culture. Through this collaboration, we aim to deepen our understanding of the needs and system requirements for next-generation communications infrastructure and explore the potential of our technologies to deliver value.”
Hirotake Iwadate, Executive Officer and General Manager, Transmission Devices Division, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., says:
“Sumitomo Electric recognizes the importance of long-term collaboration in advancing communications technologies. Through this collaboration with Ericsson, we look forward to deepening technical dialogue, exchanging expertise, and exploring opportunities for future innovation in communications and digital infrastructure technologies.”
Chafic Nassif, President of Ericsson Northeast Asia, says:
“Japan is home to many of the world’s most advanced component technologies. Through closer collaboration with Murata and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ericsson aims to combine system-level knowledge from global network deployments with Japan’s deep component expertise, creating opportunities to accelerate innovation and expand the application of these technologies across communications, AI infrastructure, data centers, automotive systems and other advanced industries.”
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References:
https://www.telecoms.com/5g-6g/ericsson-teams-up-with-murata-and-sumitomo-for-next-gen-networks
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