J:COM Establishes R&D Center and Launches Wi-Fi 8 Pilot Tests for Next-Gen Communication

JCOM Co., Ltd. (J:COM; Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoichi Iwaki) established an R&D center in April 2026 with the goal of supporting customers' lives and contributing to the development of local communities through long-term research and technological development. As its inaugural research theme, the company will begin pilot tests for the next-generation wireless standard, Wi-Fi 8, in June 2026, aiming to provide a higher-quality and more stable communication environment.

Background and Purpose J:COM has been providing services that support daily life, including cable TV, internet, fixed-line telephony, and mobile services, as a locally-oriented broadcaster and telecommunications operator.

In recent years, the advancement of various digital technologies such as AI and cloud computing has changed customers' lifestyles and the value they seek in communication services. J:COM views these changes as growth opportunities and aims to become a company that contributes to the evolution of society. To create technologies that benefit customers and local communities on an ongoing basis, the company established the R&D center.

Initiatives for Fiscal 2026 In fiscal 2026, the center's first year, the focus will be on enhancing communication and network infrastructure. The company plans to initiate four research and verification projects, including autonomous network operation and wireless home cabling, to improve future service quality and operational efficiency.

Wi-Fi 8 Pilot Tests Home network environments are critical for daily digital experiences, such as video streaming. J:COM has previously worked to improve home communication quality, launching the world's fastest Wi-Fi 7 standard in November 2025.

However, home Wi-Fi usage is expected to become more sophisticated and complex due to the increase in simultaneously connected devices and diverse online services. Maintaining stable connections and comfortable communication quality in these environments is essential.

Given this situation, Wi-Fi 8 is being considered as a next-generation wireless standard to build upon the high-speed, low-latency communication achieved with Wi-Fi 7, aiming to improve stability in congested environments. J:COM will conduct pilot tests in collaboration with MediaTek to verify the potential for improving communication quality in home Wi-Fi environments, with an eye toward future service provision.

Pilot Test Overview: - Period: June 2026 – September 2026 - Objective: To verify Wi-Fi 8 characteristics, identify specific use cases for quality improvement, and accumulate knowledge on new features in collaboration with MediaTek. - Verification Scope: Verifying use cases where Wi-Fi 8 features are effective, assuming typical home usage scenarios. - Environment: Environments simulating detached and apartment housing. - Future Prospects: Consideration of service provision from 2028 based on test results.

Future Vision: Beyond enhancing communication networks, the center has set research fields including AI and robotics, with five themes planned for 2030–2035. The J:COM R&D center aims to create technologies that contribute to society, realizing J:COM's 2030 vision of becoming a 'partner that evolves happiness in daily life and regional richness.'