24/2/2026
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
President: Norio Nakajima
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (President: Norio Nakajima, “Murata”), SoftBank Corp. (President & CEO: Junichi Miyakawa, “SoftBank”), and CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) (Global Director: Manabu Hamaguchi, “CLPA”) successfully demonstrated TSN over 5G*1, a technology that enables Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN)—which provides highly accurate time synchronization—over a 5G network. This marks the world’s first*2 successful demonstration of TSN over 5G conducted by a mobile network operator.
*1 TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking) is a set of IEEE-standardized Ethernet technologies designed to enable real-time communications by reducing latency variation (jitter) and enabling highly precise time synchronization among multiple devices. TSN over 5G is a technology standardized in 3GPP Release 16 that enables TSN functionality over 5G networks.
*2 As of January 29, 2026 (according to SoftBank research)
Wired networks have traditionally been used at factories and manufacturing sites because of the need for the communication environment to be highly reliable and operate in real time. However, in recent years, the advancement of smart factories has led to the integration of various devices on the network, and the need for wireless networks in industrial applications is rapidly increasing to allow for flexible layout changes and the improved serviceability of equipment.
In particular, there is growing interest in TSN over 5G, a technology that enables the TSN communication technology used in industrial applications—which offers highly accurate time synchronization with low latency—over a 5G network.
Murata, SoftBank, and CLPA have successfully demonstrated a TSN over 5G connection. This is the first time in the world that a mobile network operator has successfully demonstrated this technology, bringing it one step closer to the point where it can be used by end users.
The demonstration was conducted in a private 5G environment provided by SoftBank. Murata leveraged the embedded technology and software development expertise we have cultivated through our communications module business to provide the “TSN Translator” software, which enables TSN-compatible industrial devices to also support 5G communications. The results of the demonstration were evaluated by CLPA, an organization that promotes open networks for industrial use.
As a measure of the time synchronization accuracy that is linked to the real-time capabilities of communications, the time difference that occurred in the demonstration between the network-side device transmitting information and the terminal-side device receiving and processing the information was evaluated based on the gPTP time synchronization protocol used in TSN over 5G.
The results of the evaluation showed that the demonstration achieved highly accurate time synchronization of 122 nanoseconds on average, far exceeding the time synchronization accuracy of 900 nanoseconds or less required by the wireless communication standard, 3GPP Release 16*3.
*3 3GPP Release 16: An international standard specification for 5G formulated by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). The standard covers a wide range of areas, including network performance, reliability, low latency, frequency band expansion, and enhanced industrial functions, with the aim of expanding 5G systems to industrial and low-latency applications.
In addition, to evaluate the feasibility of operation at factories and manufacturing sites, a verification test was conducted using industrial devices in an end-to-end control environment that seamlessly connects communications from the sender to the receiver.
The results showed that the verification test achieved over six hours of continuous communication between the network-side device transmitting information and the industrial devices, while maintaining a time synchronization accuracy of 1 microsecond or less, which is the required level of the industrial Ethernet standard, CC-Link IE TSN certification Class B*4.
The results of the demonstration will be displayed at the Murata Electronics Europe B.V. booth at MWC Barcelona 2026.
*4 CC-Link IE TSN certification Class B: An industrial network and an extended Ethernet standard for achieving high-accuracy, real-time communication. Certification Class B is defined as having superior communication accuracy and control performance.
Time Synchronization Evaluation Configuration
Industrial Device Connectivity Configuration
The results of this demonstration will be used not only to make industrial networks wireless but also to serve as a fundamental technology for the realization of physical AI*5, since, in the future, AI will be able to work together with robots and other equipment, and control them with precise timing. Murata, SoftBank, and CLPA will use the knowledge gained from this demonstration to create new industrial applications that utilize 5G, and to implement physical AI in society to solve social issues.
*5 Physical AI: A technology that allows AI to analyze information obtained from external systems, such as robot sensors and cameras, and make decisions based on it, enabling robots to perform flexible and complex movements based on the results.
Murata will continue to provide value that goes beyond the framework of existing businesses by further strengthening cooperation with various stakeholders based on its unique technological capabilities.
Executive comments from each organization
Makoto Kawashima, Corporate Officer, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., said:
“The demonstration was a challenging initiative in which we leveraged our extensive experience in the communication field to contribute to TSN through software technology. We sincerely appreciate the collaboration with SoftBank and CLPA. We will continue to work toward realizing a future society in which highly accurate time synchronization is established as essential infrastructure, allowing a wide range of machines and devices to operate cooperatively.”
Ryuji Wakikawa, Vice President and Head of Research Institute of Advanced Technology at SoftBank Corp., said:
“This achievement marks a breakthrough in extending 5G into industrial control domains that have long depended on wired infrastructure. SoftBank will continue to lead the validation and deployment of advanced technologies, building the communications foundation that accelerates industrial transformation and enables the realization of Physical AI.”
Manabu Hamaguchi, Global Director, CC-Link Partner Association, said:
“By enabling ‘CC-Link IE TSN’ and ‘TSN over 5G’ systems, we believe that significant added value can be delivered to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture, and we have high expectations for an early commercial release.”
Murata in Brief
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of ceramic-based passive electronic components & solutions, communication modules and power supply modules. Murata is committed to the development of advanced electronic materials and leading edge, multi-functional, high-density modules. The company has employees and manufacturing facilities throughout the world.
For more information, visit Murata's website