NEC readies 5G massive MIMO radio for 2026 launch

NEC is preparing to launch a new 5G massive MIMO radio unit in early fiscal 2026, starting in Japan and rolling out international versions later that year. The company is targeting higher speeds and lower energy use in live 5G networks.

According to NEC, the new radio unit can boost downlink throughput by up to 54% and uplink throughput by up to 48%, while cutting power consumption by more than 40% in normal operation. The upgrade is aimed at operators looking to squeeze more capacity and efficiency out of existing 5G deployments without a full network overhaul.