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

The GSMA Foundry has launched Open-Telco LLM Benchmarks, an open-source AI evaluation framework designed to enhance telecom-specific large language models (LLMs). Supported by Hugging Face, The Linux Foundation, Deutsche Telekom, SK Telecom, and more, this initiative aims to improve AI efficiency, security, and compliance in 5G and 6G networks. Learn how this industry-wide benchmark is shaping the future of telecom AI innovation.
At MWC 2025, Qualcomm and Nokia Bell Labs demonstrated how AI-driven wireless networks can achieve multi-vendor interoperability without sharing proprietary data. Their AI-enhanced channel state feedback (CSF) technology optimizes 5G performance, improving network efficiency, signal strength, and reliability. With implications for 6G, Open RAN, and private 5G, this breakthrough is reshaping the future of AI-powered wireless communications.
Nokia introduces MX Context, an AI-powered sensor fusion solution that integrates multi-modal IoT data with private 5G networks for enhanced automation, efficiency, and worker safety. By eliminating data silos, MX Context provides real-time situational awareness, optimizes asset tracking, and enables low-code industrial automation. Learn how this AI-driven innovation is transforming Industry 4.0.
In 2025, the mobile industry is set to surpass 1 billion IoT connections while advancing 5G standalone, AI, quantum security, and mobile identity services. At MWC25 Barcelona, GSMA experts will discuss eSIM standardization, network APIs, private 5G, and AI-powered security. Discover how non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and post-quantum cryptography will shape telecom’s future.
A new GSMA Intelligence report reveals that mobile technologies and 5G will contribute $11 trillion to global GDP by 2030, transforming key industries like manufacturing, financial services, automotive, and aviation. As Connected Industries at MWC25 showcases AI-driven automation, IoT advancements, and smart city infrastructures, experts highlight why collaboration between policymakers, network operators, and enterprises is crucial to unlocking the full potential of digital transformation.
As telcos seek growth beyond connectivity, a $400 billion enterprise opportunity awaits. At MWC25โ€™s Connected Industries, leaders from NVIDIA, 5GAA, and Accenture will explore how 5G, AI, IoT, and private networks are reshaping industries like manufacturing, fintech, smart mobility, and entertainment. Learn why GSMAโ€™s Connected Communities is key to unlocking new revenue streams and driving digital transformation.
Scroll to Top