NTT DOCOMO Licenses 5G Patents to Samsung

NTT DOCOMO grants Samsung Electronics a patent license covering essential 5G patents, with Samsung paying licensing fees in return.
5G - TeckNexus

NTT DOCOMO, INC. disclosed today that it has entered into an agreement to provide Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. with a patent license encompassing DOCOMO’s crucial standard patents, including those related to 5G technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Samsung will be paying licensing fees to DOCOMO.


DOCOMO has been actively engaged in researching and developing mobile network technologies such as W-CDMA, LTE, LTE-Advanced, 5G, and 6G, as well as innovative service-related technologies, with the ultimate aim of improving mobile experiences for customers. As a result of its patent applications for these technologies, DOCOMO now owns approximately 10,000 essential standard patents for mobile communications. Consequently, DOCOMO has licensed its cellular wireless standard essential patents to over 80 companies, through both patent pools and bilateral agreements.

In the future, DOCOMO plans to continue promoting research and development, contributing to the standardization of advanced mobile communication technologies such as 5G, 5G Evolution, and 6G, and licensing its essential cellular wireless standard patents.

Please refer to the patent licensing of DOCOMO:https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/corporate/technology/ipr/

  1. Patents that must be necessarily infringed without a license from the patentee to manufacture, sale, use, or otherwise practice any product which complies with the relevant industry standard.
  2. Worldwide total (as of February 28, 2023) of registered patents and patent applications in the patent families that have been declared essential to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). A patent family is a group of patents and patent applications covering the same technical content and have been filed in multiple countries having exactly the same priority or combination of priorities based on a patent application(s).
  3. Agreements between two or more patent owners to license their patents to one another and/or to third parties relating to a particular technology.

Recent Content

Nokia, Digita, and CoreGo have partnered to roll out private 5G networks and edge computing solutions at high-traffic event venues. Using Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) and CoreGoโ€™s payment and access tech, the trio delivers real-time data flow, reliable connectivity, and enhanced guest experience across Finland and international locationsโ€”serving over 2 million attendees to date.
AI Pulse: Telecomโ€™s Next Frontier is a definitive guide to how AI is reshaping the telecom landscape โ€” strategically, structurally, and commercially. Spanning over 130 pages, this MWC 2025 special edition explores AIโ€™s growing maturity in telecom, offering a comprehensive look at the technologies and trends driving transformation.

Explore strategic AI pillarsโ€”from AI Ops and Edge AI to LLMs, AI-as-a-Service, and governanceโ€”and learn how telcos are building AI-native architectures and monetization models. Discover insights from 30+ global CxOs, unpacking shifts in leadership thinking around purpose, innovation, and competitive advantage.

The edition also examines connected industries at the intersection of Private 5G, AI, and Satelliteโ€”fueling transformation in smart manufacturing, mobility, fintech, ports, sports, and more. From fan engagement to digital finance, from smart cities to the industrial metaverse, this is the roadmap to telecomโ€™s next eraโ€”where intelligence is the new infrastructure, and telcos become the enablers of everything connected.
In AI in Telecom: Strategic Themes, Maturity, and the Road Ahead, we explore how AI has shifted from buzzword to backbone for global telecom leaders. From AI-native networks and edge inferencing, to domain-specific LLMs and behavioral cybersecurity, this article maps out the strategic pillars, real-world use cases, and monetization models driving the AI-powered telecom era. Featuring CxO insights from Telefรณnica, KDDI, MTN, Telstra, and Orange, it captures the voice of a sector transforming infrastructure into intelligence.
In The Gateway to a New Future, top global telecom leadersโ€”Marc Murtra (Telefรณnica), Vicki Brady (Telstra), Sunil Bharti Mittal (Airtel), Biao He (China Mobile), and Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer (Telenor)โ€”share bold visions for reshaping the industry. From digital sovereignty and regulatory reform in Europe, to AI-powered smart cities in China and fintech platforms in Africa, these executives reveal how telecom is evolving into a driving force of global innovation, inclusion, and collaboration. The telco of tomorrow is not just a networkโ€”itโ€™s a platform for economic and societal transformation.
In Beyond Connectivity: The Telco to Techco Transformation, leaders from e&, KDDI, and MTN reveal how telecoms are evolving into technology-first, platform-driven companies. These digital pioneers are integrating AI, 5G, cloud, smart infrastructure, and fintech to unlock massive valueโ€”from AI-powered smart cities in Japan, to inclusive fintech platforms in Africa, and cloud-first enterprise solutions in the Middle East. This piece explores how telcos are reshaping their role in the digital economyโ€”building intelligent, scalable, and people-first tech ecosystems.
In Balancing Innovation and Regulation: Global Perspectives on Telecom Policy, top leaders including Jyotiraditya Scindia (India), Henna Virkkunen (European Commission), and Brendan Carr (U.S. FCC) explore how governments are aligning policy with innovation to future-proof their digital infrastructure. From Indiaโ€™s record-breaking 5G rollout and 6G ambitions, to Europeโ€™s push for AI sovereignty and U.S. leadership in open-market connectivity, this piece outlines how nations can foster growth, security, and inclusion in a hyperconnected world.

Download Magazine

With Subscription
Whitepaper
Telecom networks are facing unprecedented complexity with 5G, IoT, and cloud services. Traditional service assurance methods are becoming obsolete, making AI-driven, real-time analytics essential for competitive advantage. This independent industry whitepaper explores how DPUs, GPUs, and Generative AI (GenAI) are enabling predictive automation, reducing operational costs, and improving service quality....
Whitepaper
Explore the collaboration between Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue University, Ericsson, and Saab at the Aviation Innovation Hub. Discover how private 5G networks, real-time analytics, and sustainable innovations are shaping the "Airport of the Future" for a smarter, safer, and greener aviation industry....
Article & Insights
This article explores the deployment of 5G NR Transparent Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), detailing the architecture's advantages and challenges. It highlights how this "bent-pipe" NTN approach integrates ground-based gNodeB components with NGSO satellite constellations to expand global connectivity. Key challenges like moving beam management, interference mitigation, and latency are discussed, underscoring...

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Scroll to Top