NTT Docomo and JR West advance railway connectivity and safety technology

NTT Docomo is enhancing mobile communication environments across five major railway lines in the Kansai region, including the JR Tokaido Line, Hankyu Kobe and Kyoto Lines, Hanshin Main Line, and the Midosuji Subway Line. To support high-speed 5G Sub6 connectivity, the company is expanding the number of base stations and implementing ‘multi-user Massive MIMO’ technology and small-scale base stations to ensure stable connections for video streaming and social media use during transit.

In a separate discussion regarding railway safety and disaster response, JR West and NTT Docomo Business highlighted the integration of AI and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). JR West is utilizing AI for wind speed forecasting, aerial laser surveying to identify hazardous trees, and image diagnosis for equipment inspections to address labor shortages and aging infrastructure. To mitigate communication gaps in mountainous areas or disaster zones where terrestrial networks fail, the companies are exploring NTN technologies, such as satellites and High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), to provide reliable connectivity.