The theme of Tsukuba Forum 2026 was “Opening the Future with Access Networks: Creating New Value and Contributing to a Sustainable Society.” Amidst the nationwide challenge of aging social infrastructure, numerous solutions for infrastructure maintenance utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as AI were exhibited.

NTT-ME is undertaking a new challenge: the development of an “aerial work robot.” The aim is to reduce manpower in on-site work and eliminate accidents resulting in injuries. The robot is envisioned to ride in a bucket truck and perform tasks such as utility pole maintenance and cable removal. Currently, they are conducting demonstration experiments on removing metal fittings attached to utility poles.

可搬型撤去装置のデモ（Portable removal device）

NTT East and NTT West exhibited a “portable removal device” to streamline overhead cable retrieval work. The portable removal device automates cable pulling, cutting, and loading. The system is small enough to be mounted on existing vehicles and allows for “cutting” and “winding” with the push of a button. It can retrieve cables directly from overhead locations. This reduces the workload of removal work and shortens working time.

マルチコア光ファイバを用いた１９２コア
海底ケーブルシステムを展示。写真は海
底ＦＩＦＯ架（A 192-core submarine cable system using multicore optical fibers was on display. The photo shows the submarine FIFO rack）

ＭＩＭＯ／ＩｏＴアンテナ（衛星設置面、原寸大模型）（MIMO/IoT antenna (satellite mounting surface, full-scale model)）

NTT introduced a 192-core submarine cable system, the world’s highest capacity, using multi-core optical fiber that quadruples communication capacity without changing the submarine cable structure. This system was developed to increase the capacity of the submarine network, representing an advancement in optical fiber cable technology toward realizing the high-capacity transmission infrastructure envisioned by IOWN APN.

NTT also presented the “On-Orbit Demonstration of a 920MHz Band Satellite IoT Platform Utilizing Satellite MIMO Technology.” The company, in collaboration with JAXA, is conducting on-orbit demonstration experiments using a low-Earth orbit satellite MIMO/IoT transmission device mounted on the Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration No. 4. Once this technology is established, it will enable ultra-wide-area, low-power sensing services, such as the use of IoT devices and sensing services in oceanic and mountainous areas where terrestrial communication networks are not developed.

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