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KDDI to Showcase the Power of Connectivity and AI at MWC 2025

―CEO Makoto Takahashi to Share Insights on the Telco to Techco Transformation at MWC Keynote―

KDDI CORPORATION

TOKYO, JAPAN, January 22, 2025―Japanese telecommunication operator, KDDI, will showcase various use cases centered around communications and AI integrated into society at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2025. These include retail technology in convenience stores, which have become essential social infrastructure in Japan, mobility technologies for safety, security, and comfort, and open innovation initiatives that accelerate the realization of these technologies.

"We are thrilled to return to MWC and share with the world its initiatives and technologies that support the digital society," states Makoto Takahashi, CEO, KDDI Corporation. "KDDI is driving a new era of 'the power to connect' by leveraging cutting-edge communication infrastructure and AI. By advancing Life Transformation, we aim to create a society where everyone can realize their aspirations. I look forward to meeting new partners and cooperating with new business in the future."

Makoto Takahashi will also deliver a keynote speech on Monday 3rd March, introducing KDDI's Life Transformation initiatives, focusing on 5G and AI, including advanced business models and partnerships in non-telecom fields.

■Exhibition at MWC Barcelona 2025

Keynote Speech

Beyond Connectivity: The Telco to Techco Transformation

Presented by Makoto Takahashi CEO, KDDI

Monday 3rd March, 11:30-12:30
MWC Main Stage, Hall 4

As technology evolves, mobile operators continue to drive global economic and social transformation. However, many struggle to match their influence with financial returns.

The convergence of AI, Cloud, and 5G Standalone (5G SA) marks a pivotal moment, enabling operators to transition from connectivity providers to comprehensive Techcos. This shift demands new business models, strong partnerships, and investment in AI, cloud-based services and frontier tech.
Makoto Takahashi will introduce KDDI's Life Transformation initiatives, focusing on 5G and AI, including advanced business models and partnerships in non-telecom fields.

Visit MWC Barcelona's official website for more information about the keynote.
You can also watch the keynote online via the official website.

Exhibition

Telco AI

KDDI is committed to providing infrastructure that integrates telecommunications and AI. We will showcase initiatives for next-generation AI data centers that repurpose factories with large power capacity and demonstrations of fault recovery and network construction using AI.

Updating Convenience Stores with Technology

KDDI is updating convenience stores, an important part of the lifestyle infrastructure in Japan, with the power of AI and technology. We will exhibit a product shelf where AI displays your recommended products, AI consultation booth that solves everyday problems, and AI restocking system that improves efficiency.

Enhancing Mobility Society with AI

As communications continue to evolve and blend into various aspects of our lives, the nature of mobility is also changing. KDDI will introduce the future of coexistence between various types of mobility and people, including AI mobile vehicles for autonomous shopping and AI drone operation.

Supporting Startups

KDDI believes in the unlimited potential of startup companies. Through investments and partnerships, we are constantly exploring collaborations with innovative technologies to create new experience value together. KDDI was ranked No.1 for seven consecutive years in the "Innovative Large Enterprise Ranking" chosen by promising startups. At the booth, we will introduce the initiatives of our partner startups.

Please find the concept video of KDDI at MWC 2025 here.

Scheduled Programs at KDDI Booth

Programs are held daily between 11:00-16:30 at KDDI booth, from 3rd to 5th March.

TimeProgram Content & Speaker
3rd March
13:30-13:45
Telecommunication Infrastructure in the AI Era: Efforts in Network Operations and AI Data Centers

Toru Maruta/Executive Officer, Technology Planning & Strategy Division, Core Technology Sector, KDDI
Takemasa Imada/Core Researcher, Network Division, KDDI Research Inc.
Yukitoshi Kashimoto/Core Staff, Data & AI Center, Corporate Strategy Division, KDDI

With the evolution of communication technology and the diversification of customer needs, network operations now demand a higher level of expertise. In this presentation, we will introduce KDDI's initiatives in Telco AI aimed at realizing autonomous networks, as well as our efforts to develop AI data centers that can be uniquely tailored by telecommunications operators to support these initiatives.

3rd March
16:15-16:30
Empowering the Future Mobility Society with the Power of Connectivity and AI ~Connected Mobility: Creating the Future~

Aizawa Tadayuki/Deputy General Manager, Mobility Business Division, KDDI

As connectivity continues to evolve and seamlessly integrate into every aspect of our lives, the nature of mobility is also changing. KDDI leverages its global experience and expertise to promote initiatives aimed at a future where people and mobility collaborate effectively. In this session, we will introduce the new mobility society that KDDI envisions under its business brand "WAKONX Mobility," and explain how it will be supported by the power of connectivity and AI.

4th March
15:00-15:30
Retail Innovations with Generative AI and IoT: Future Solutions with Case Studies

Nicolas Lesconnec/Head of Strategic Partnerships, SORACOM Corporation

Using Soracom's cellular services and a low-code IoT application builder that enables advanced automation, we present a vision of a future where AI and IoT solutions can be easily developed without requiring technical expertise. We will showcase how the integration of generative AI and IoT can optimize processes such as inventory management and customer behavior analysis in the retail industry, enhancing business competitiveness. This includes real-world examples of utilizing IoT cameras and generative AI to achieve these outcomes.

4th March
16:00-16:30
An IoT Use Case in Boating - The Siren 3

Bjorn Qvarsell/Head of Product Portfolio, KDDI Spherience
Alex Joseph/CTO, Siren Marine

Siren Marine, the connectivity subsidiary of Yamaha Marine shares their experience from connecting boats and what it takes to make a successful, connected, marine product.

5th March
13:15-13:45
KDDI Startup Pitch: Meet Japan's Next Unicorns!

Koichi Nakamura/Founder & CEO, Idein Inc.
Shinpei Kato/Founder & CEO, TIER IV Inc.
Shogo Nishiguchi/Founder & COO, AVITA Inc.
Masahiro Yamaguchi/Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, STYLY, Inc.

Four selected Japanese startups, chosen by KDDI, will present their pitches at MWC 2025. These innovative tech startups cover a range of fields, including retail, autonomous driving, and XR.

5th March
14:30-14:45
How KDDI is Shaping the B2B2X Frontier with Digital Telco

Tatsuya Hamada/Chief Operating Officer, Global Consumer Business Development Division, KDDI

Discover how KDDI is elevating its Gen Z-focused Digital Telco "povo," nurtured in Japan, into a new B2B2X business model, sharing its vision and current progress.

For detailed information about the other scheduled lectures, please visit the KDDI MWC website.

■About KDDI at MWC Barcelona

Find KDDI booth at Hall4 4E20, between March 3-6, 2025. For details about the KDDI booth at MWC Barcelona, visit the KDDI MWC website.

■About KDDI

KDDI is a leading Japanese telecommunications company with over 80 million customers. In recent years, KDDI has expanded beyond its core telecommunications business into areas in AI, mobility, retail, advanced financial, web3metaverse, and space to contribute to structural reforms across various industries. Globally, KDDI provides mobile services, IoT services for connected cars, and data center connectivity under the Telehouse brand, primarily in North America, Europe, and Asia. KDDI is driving social impact and transformation through its vision of "Enhancing the Power to Connect x AI". For more information, visit the KDDI website.

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