TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 6, 2026--
NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, Inc. (formerly NTT Communications Corporation) has launched a study and proof of concept jointly with Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile (CODELCO) to progress remote operations at CODELCO’s copper mines using an IOWN ® All-Photonics Network (APN). 1 This initiative is part of a research project commissioned by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. 2
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To address operational challenges faced by CODELCO’s copper mines, the initiative will connect a copper mine and a remote operations center—approximately 1,500 km apart—via an IOWN APN. It will assess the feasibility of remotely operating heavy machinery using high-capacity, low-latency communication links, enhancing monitoring operations through high-definition video, and implementing a remote operations model.
1. Background
Chile is one of the world’s leading copper-producing countries, and CODELCO is one of its leading copper producers. In recent years, improving safety and operational efficiency at the company’s copper mines has become a management priority.
In particular, there is growing demand for remote operation of the heavy machinery used in underground mines and more advanced monitoring of mine operations. This is driven by the need to address working conditions that involve risks such as mine collapses, as well as shortages of skilled operators. There is also a need to manage operational functions distributed across multiple mines more efficiently.
To address these challenges, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS will conduct a study and proof of concept to assess the feasibility of a new remote operations model utilizing IOWN APN.
2. Overview of the Initiative
Under this initiative, IOWN APN will connect the El Teniente copper mine and a remote operations center in Rancagua, a city in central Chile, that are approximately 1,500 km apart. In collaboration with NTT DATA, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS will conduct the following activities:
3. Future Outlook
Through this initiative, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS also aims to enhance safety and operational efficiency in the copper mining industry while creating new use cases for IOWN APN across the entire mining sector. Drawing on the insights it thereby gains, the company will explore the potential for further applications in the mining and energy sectors, as well as across other sectors where remote operations are required.
Going forward, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS will also collaborate with NTT Inc., which is advancing the development and real-world deployment of IOWN technologies. Together, the companies will leverage the initiative’s findings to help expand global IOWN use cases across the NTT Group.
About NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS
NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, Inc. is Japan’s leading comprehensive global ICT solutions provider. We are an Industrial and Regional DX Platformer driving digital transformation across industries and communities, enabling the development of a decentralized, autonomous, and collaborative society where businesses and communities can thrive sustainably. Our mission is to unlock new value and help create prosperity for all. For more information, please visit https://www.ntt.com/en/.
Conceptual Diagram of the Demonstration
BEIRUT (AP) — The Israeli military said Thursday that two of its soldiers were killed in combat in southern Lebanon in the first Israeli deaths since the implementation of a shaky truce between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in June.
Four other soldiers were seriously wounded, the military said. The deaths had been reported by Israeli media a day earlier.
The Israeli army launched strikes Wednesday in southern Lebanon in response to what it described as Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire and issued a call for residents of the village of Mansouri to flee — the first such warning Israel has issued in Lebanon for weeks.
There was no immediate statement from Hezbollah.
The escalation came as Lebanese and Israeli negotiators met in Rome to discuss implementation of a June 26 deal under which Israeli forces are supposed to withdraw from areas they occupy in southern Lebanon and allow the Lebanese army to take control, in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Wednesday’s talks ended early due to the escalation on the ground. It was not immediately clear if they would resume Thursday.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said one person was killed and 12 wounded in an Israeli strike in the town of Tebnine Wednesday. The state-run National News Agency reported more people wounded in overnight strikes on the village of Burj al-Shemali, but the number was not clear. Artillery shelling also targeted the areas of Mansouri and Majdal Zoun, it said.
The latest Israel-Hezbollah war erupted on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets across the border two days after the U.S. and Israel launched their attacks on Iran. More than 4,000 people have been killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon since then, including hundreds of civilians About 40 soldiers and three civilians - including a military contractor - have been killed on the Israeli side.
A shaky truce between Israel and Hezbollah has largely held since June 20, but Israeli forces have continued to occupy swaths of southern Lebanon and to carry out periodic airstrikes and shelling.
The talks in Rome have focused on implementation of “pilot zones” where Israeli forces would withdraw and the Lebanese army would take control. Implementation began last month with an initial pilot zone in an area that wasn’t occupied by Israeli forces but had previously sustained Israeli fire.
The Lebanese army entered the town of Zawtar al-Gharbieh and some civilians returned, although many came only to find their homes destroyed and left again.
A diplomat familiar with the negotiations said earlier this week that Lebanon had asked to be either in the town of Khiam or Bint Jbeil. Both areas saw heavy fighting in the latest Israel-Hezbollah war and are currently occupied by Israeli forces.
But U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa suggested ahead of the three-day talks that no new pilot zones would be immediately implemented, saying that “moving too quickly risks jeopardizing the very civilians this process is meant to protect.”
Israeli tanks, left, stationed among homes in the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, occupied by Israeli forces, is seen from the southern village of Zawtar al-Gharbieh, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
A Lebanese man sits outside his damaged house in the village of Zawtar al-Gharbieh, south Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Israeli military vehicles, left, are seen stationed among homes in the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, occupied by Israeli forces, is seen from the southern village of Zawtar al-Gharbieh, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
