January 20,2026

News Releases

KDDI to Showcase How AI Data Centers Will Power the Future of Living at MWC26

―Exhibit demonstrating how connectivity and AI can enrich people's lives―

KDDI Corporation

TOKYO, JAPAN, January 20, 2026―Japanese telecommunications operator, KDDI, will exhibit at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world's largest mobile-related exhibition, held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2nd to March 5th, 2026.
At this year's exhibit, KDDI will showcase how its communication infrastructure and technologies such as AI are enriching people's lives. Centered around its foundational AI data centers, KDDI will exhibit and demonstrate Japanese use cases in smart cities, retail intelligence, and more.

KDDI aims to enhance the power to connect and create a society where anyone can make their dreams a reality. As a social platform company leveraging connectivity and AI to shape a future beyond conventional connections, KDDI actively addresses global social challenges and develops diverse business operations in collaboration with international partners.

Main visual: Life Transformation ~Enhancing the power to connect~

■Exhibition at MWC26 Barcelona

1. Concept

GATEWAY TO TOMORROW'S LIFE: Modeled after a street corner, a familiar setting in our daily lives, the exhibit will showcase how people's lives can be enriched by the power of KDDI's high-quality communications infrastructure and AI. Through a dynamic and evolving presentation, the exhibit will illustrate how KDDI's technologies and services envision "tomorrow's street corner" spreading globally.

2. Exhibition

AI / Network Infrastructure (Powering smarter communication and systems, built to enable AI)

Introducing a high-quality digital infrastructure that combines communications and AI to support people across diverse regions at every stage of life.
Presenting the strategy and features of KDDI's data centers being developed worldwide, including the Osaka Sakai Data Center began operations in January 2026.
Highlighting efforts to deliver superior communication services and demonstrating how AI ensures accurate and rapid fault recovery.

Smart City (A city that understands you. Smarter and more responsive through KDDI's data)

Showcasing initiatives that enrich daily life by integrating and analyzing the data from community facilities and pedestrian flow with mobile network data, enabling the delivery of highly personalized services and information at just the right moment.
Presenting real-world applications of "hyper-personalized experiences," from offering coupons based on user hobbies and preferences to in-depth visitor satisfaction analysis.

Retail Intelligence (Technology supporting the workforce for a better customer experience)

Introducing retail technology solutions that provide end-to-end support for people working across the value chain in retail industry.
Demonstrating innovative solutions including Generative AI-powered product ideation tool, physical AI to assist in customer engagement, and a remote customer service platform designed for seamless interaction with experts across any distance.

Connected Mobility (Connectivity Transforming Daily Life and the World of Mobility)

Introducing the world of "Connected Mobility," where vehicles and drones throughout the city advance beyond traditional IoT to form a physical AI communication network.
Featuring an exhibit dedicated to autonomous vehicles and a demonstration of remote monitoring capabilities.
Showcasing the expansion of direct satellite-to-smartphone connectivity to drones and IoT devices, including real-world applications with the "Skydio Dock for X10" drone port. A live demonstration featuring remote operation of an AI drone in Japan from Spain is also scheduled.

Global Business (Driving global telecom growth. Accelerating innovation worldwide)

Introducing a global co-creation model, built on extensive practical knowledge from the Japanese telecommunications market, which has evolved into tailored, Telco-oriented solutions adapted to diverse international market characteristics.

Additionally, each zone will introduce startup companies collaborating on these initiatives.

For more details about the exhibition, please visit the KDDI MWC website.

3. Scheduled Programs at KDDI Booth

Programs are held daily between 11:00-16:20 at KDDI booth, from 2nd to 5th March.

Date & Time	Presentation Title & Speaker
2nd March 11:00-11:15	KDDI's Infrastructure Foundation for Value Creation in the AI Era — Evolution of Networks and Data Centers Yu Tsukamoto, Wireless Technology Division, KDDI Research Inc. Shoya Yoshitsune, Telehouse Engineering Department, Solution Engineering & Operations Division, KDDI As the demand for AI diversifies, a highly scalable and reliable infrastructure is essential to continuously create value. In this presentation, we will introduce initiatives to improve network quality through AI, efforts to enhance reliability through automated network operations, and the role and value of KDDI's data centers in supporting rapidly evolving AI services.
2nd March 11:30-11:45	Remote Operation Demonstration of AI Drones in Japan Gunji Nose, Solution Business Development Department 1, KDDI Smart Drone Corporation In this session, we will introduce the drone initiatives that KDDI Smart Drone is promoting in Japan. We will explain the features of the state-of-the-art drone dock "Skydio Dock for X10" and share demonstration projects in collaboration with Ishikawa Prefecture addressing disaster response and regional challenges. The presentation will also cover efforts toward integrating drones into social infrastructure and future developments leveraging direct communication. In addition, we will conduct a live demonstration of remotely operating the Skydio Dock for X10 in Japan from Spain.
2nd March 13:30-13:45	The Future of Retail with Physical AI and AI Avatars Shogo Nishiguchi / Co-founder & COO/CFO, AVITA, Inc. Nanase Sato / Growth Strategy Department, Partner Growth Division, KDDI This session presents a vision of the future retail store, where Physical AI works alongside local staff. It also explores practical use cases of digital transformation using AI avatars that help streamline retail store operations.
2nd March 14:00-14:15	Smarter, Smaller, Sharper: How Optimized AI Models Are Transforming the Automotive Experience Dhiraj Kaushik / Service Delivery Manager, KDDI Spherience AB Automobiles are evolving from simple means of transportation into advanced digital experience spaces, and in-vehicle AI is now expected to deliver greater speed, safety, and personalization than ever before. In this session, KDDI Spherience—driving connected services globally—will explain the latest trends in lightweight, high-precision edge AI that runs on in-vehicle devices, as well as the technologies that enable it. Let's explore together how next-generation Embodied AI will transform the customer experience.
2nd March 15:45-16:00	Shaping a New Society with Smart Cities - Innovations Driving the Future - Kazuya Yoda / Group Leader, Business Innovation Promotion Department 2, Business Innovation Division, KDDI KDDI is spearheading one of Japan's premier smart city projects at "TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY." Through the development of a comprehensive data integration platform, we collect and analyze urban data to enable continuous improvement and deliver a wide range of services for visitors, residents, and professionals. This approach fosters vibrant communities, enhances safety and security, and consistently elevates the value of the city. We present examples of our evolving urban development, including proprietary applications, 3D simulations, and other innovative services, along with insights into future initiatives for TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY.
3rd March 11:30-11:45	Remote Operation Demonstration of AI Drones in Japan Gunji Nose, Solution Business Development Department 1, KDDI Smart Drone Corporation In this session, we will introduce the drone initiatives that KDDI Smart Drone is promoting in Japan. We will explain the features of the state-of-the-art drone dock "Skydio Dock for X10" and share demonstration projects in collaboration with Ishikawa Prefecture addressing disaster response and regional challenges. The presentation will also cover efforts toward integrating drones into social infrastructure and future developments leveraging direct communication. In addition, we will conduct a live demonstration of remotely operating the Skydio Dock for X10 in Japan from Spain.
3rd March 13:30-13:45	Driving AI Service Innovation Through a Strategic Partnership with Google Cloud Shinya Wada / Group Leader, AI Foundation Group, Data & AI Center, Corporate Strategy Division, KDDI Discover the future of business unlocked by the KDDI and Google Cloud partnership. This session explores our in-house strategy to create innovative services with Google's cutting-edge AI, showcasing a new service for trusted content and secure solutions powered by our data centers and Gemini on GDC. Join us to see the secure, connected future we are co-creating.
3rd March 14:00-14:15	Protection with Intelligence: KDDI's Security Solution Vision for the AI Era Mika Takesue, Network & Security Solutions Engineering Department, Solution Engineering Division, KDDI As cyberattacks that abuse AI grow more advanced, traditional detection and defense methods become insufficient to protect corporate confidential information assets. This presentation will introduce KDDI Group's initiatives for network x security solutions to respond to AI-era cyber threats and delivery to worldwide.
3rd March 15:45-16:20	KDDI Startup Pitch - Meet Japan's Next Unicorns! Bongkyung Ko / Vice President of Engineering, Deeping Source Inc. Kazuya Yabu / Founder & CEO, MOSH, Inc. Erik Stangerup / Europe CEO, QunaSys Inc. Takuya Kimura / Founder & CEO, SKY FARM, Inc. Akihiro Kumagai / Executive Officer, SORAJIMA Handpicked Japanese startups selected by KDDI will take the global stage at MWC26 Barcelona. Discover cutting-edge technology startups across diverse industries as they deliver passionate pitches showcasing their potential to become Japan's next unicorns.
4th March 11:30-11:45	Remote Operation Demonstration of AI Drones in Japan Gunji Nose, Solution Business Development Department 1, KDDI Smart Drone Corporation In this session, we will introduce the drone initiatives that KDDI Smart Drone is promoting in Japan. We will explain the features of the state-of-the-art drone dock "Skydio Dock for X10" and share demonstration projects in collaboration with Ishikawa Prefecture addressing disaster response and regional challenges. The presentation will also cover efforts toward integrating drones into social infrastructure and future developments leveraging direct communication. In addition, we will conduct a live demonstration of remotely operating the Skydio Dock for X10 in Japan from Spain.
4th March 13:30-13:45	Beyond Connectivity: How World-Class Networks Power AI-Driven Ecosystems Koji Tamba / General Manager, Global Co-creation Department, Personal Strategy Division, Personal Sector, KDDI KDDI explores a next-generation Telco co-creation model that integrates connectivity, ecosystems, and AI, drawing on the practical expertise it has refined in the Japanese market. Starting from world-class network infrastructure, robust sales and billing models, and advanced digital service operations, KDDI goes beyond connectivity to examine the evolving role of Telcos as the core of AI-driven ecosystems. KDDI also shares concrete insights on how these capabilities can be transformed into modernized, globally scalable Telco solutions tailored to the unique characteristics of each local market.
4th March 14:00-14:15	Shaping a New Society with Smart Cities - Innovations Driving the Future - Kazuya Yoda / Group Leader, Business Innovation Promotion Department 2, Business Innovation Division, KDDI KDDI is spearheading one of Japan's premier smart city projects at "TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY." Through the development of a comprehensive data integration platform, we collect and analyze urban data to enable continuous improvement and deliver a wide range of services for visitors, residents, and professionals. This approach fosters vibrant communities, enhances safety and security, and consistently elevates the value of the city. We present examples of our evolving urban development, including proprietary applications, 3D simulations, and other innovative services, along with insights into future initiatives for TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY.
4th March 15:45-16:00	Smarter, Smaller, Sharper: How Optimized AI Models Are Transforming the Automotive Experience Dhiraj Kaushik / Service Delivery Manager, KDDI Spherience AB Automobiles are evolving from simple means of transportation into advanced digital experience spaces, and in-vehicle AI is now expected to deliver greater speed, safety, and personalization than ever before. In this session, KDDI Spherience—driving connected services globally—will explain the latest trends in lightweight, high-precision edge AI that runs on in-vehicle devices, as well as the technologies that enable it. Let's explore together how next-generation Embodied AI will transform the customer experience.

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

■About KDDI at MWC26 Barcelona

Find KDDI booth at Hall4 4E20, between March 2-5, 2026. For details about the KDDI booth at MWC26 Barcelona, visit the KDDI MWC website.

■About KDDI

KDDI is a leading Japanese telecommunications company with over 90 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, 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.

*Google Cloud and Gemini are trademarks of Google LLC.

*The information contained in the articles is current at the time of publication.
Products, service fees, service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.

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