In yet another 5G partnership, Japan’s second largest mobile operator KDDI and Sweden’s Ericsson signed an agreement to jointly study and develop key 5G components.

Under the agreement, the two companies will explore possible 5G use cases, requirements and deployment scenarios, as well as evaluate the performance and applicability of potential key components, covering both radio and core technologies.

Chris Houghton, Ericsson’s head of North East Asia, said the partnership is an opportunity for both companies to strengthen the technology foundation for the evolution towards 5G. “5G will drive an evolution of the entire future communications ecosystem, from devices to mobile access, IP core and the cloud,” he said.

Ericsson entered into a collaboration agreement with South Korea’s SK Telecom in July to develop 5G core and network slicing technologies. In January Ericsson and Singtel agreed to work together to test potential 5G technologies to be included in its future standardisation.

Operators and vendors across the region have announced a raft of 5G partnerships since Q4 last year. They are attempting to drive development of 5G technology, which isn’t actually likely to be officially ratified as a standard until 2016 at the very earliest.