KDDI has a lower profile than its rivals in the world of ground-breaking 5G architectures, but it still works within the Japanese tradition of working closely with selected vendors to invest in new technologies that can enable it to compete on the quality of its network. It has been particularly active in open, virtualized transport networks – co-chairing a Telecom Infra Project initiative in that area – and in network slicing. Slicing is important because, like Docomo, KDDI is keen to diversify its services, with plans to extend the applications in its consumer digital portfolio, branded ‘au’, and to generate more enterprise business. It has discussed how it could facilitate the rapid launch of new services for multiple target groups…