KDDI and AMD’s new partnership marks a significant step in Japan’s 5G infrastructure development, bringing chiplet-powered processing to mobile networks. The collaboration aims to address the growing demand for 5G capacity while prioritizing energy efficiency—a critical balance as mobile data consumption continues to surge globally. This partnership also highlights the strategic importance of processor architecture in preparing telecom networks for AI integration.
The big picture: Japanese telecom giant KDDI will deploy AMD’s 4th Generation EPYC processors across its 5G virtualized network infrastructure, with nationwide implementation beginning in 2026 following a testing phase in 2025.
Why this matters: The partnership addresses two critical telecommunications challenges simultaneously—scaling network capacity to meet growing 5G demand while reducing energy consumption in data-intensive operations.
- AMD’s EPYC processors utilize advanced chiplet technology that packs more processing cores into each CPU, delivering higher performance with lower power requirements.
- The energy efficiency improvements could serve as a model for other carriers seeking to balance network expansion with sustainability goals.
What they’re saying: KDDI’s president Hiroji Matsuda emphasized the dual benefits of the partnership, focusing on both performance enhancement and environmental responsibility.
- “We’re proud to work with AMD to improve our 5G network’s performance and reduce energy use. We believe AMD’s top-tier chip technology will help us build better data centers for the AI era,” Matsuda stated.
- AMD CEO Lisa Su highlighted the processors’ role in positioning KDDI for future AI integration: “Our EPYC processors will help them deliver faster, more efficient networks and prepare for the next generation of AI-powered data centers.”
Looking ahead: Beyond immediate 5G improvements, the partnership will explore optimizing EPYC processors specifically for AI workloads in telecommunications infrastructure.
- The companies plan to test various CPU implementations, with particular focus on AI-driven data center applications.
- This collaboration signals how telecommunications infrastructure is increasingly being designed with AI capabilities as a core consideration rather than as an afterthought.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...