AGC (AGC Inc., Headquarters: Tokyo; President: Yoshinori Hirai) has developed a “Transparent 5G Glass Antenna” (hereinafter “5G Glass Antenna”) that has been adopted by Central Japan Railway Company (President & CEO: Shunsuke Niwa; hereinafter “JR Central”) for premium‑class seats installed in selected N700S trainsets on the Tokaido Shinkansen. By integrating antenna functionality directly into the train windows, this product stabilizes radio signal transmission and reception even at high speeds, thereby enhancing Wi‑Fi quality for premium‑class passengers. Its ultra‑fine mesh structure makes the antenna lines unobtrusive, ensuring that visibility is not impaired and scenic views from the train windows remain unaffected. Commercial operation of the train equipped with these premium‑class seats is scheduled to begin in October 2026. This will mark the world’s first^* commercial operation of a railway vehicle equipped with a 5G glass antenna. 

The 5G glass antenna adopted for the premium‑class seats has been specially designed by AGC for Shinkansen windows to improve communication quality. By integrating 5G antenna functionality directly into the window itself, the antenna reduces signal loss when radio waves pass through the train body, thereby improving and stabilizing communication quality between trackside base stations and the onboard Wi‑Fi routers. In addition to meeting the required safety and durability standards for Shinkansen window glass, the antenna uses an ultra‑fine mesh conductive pattern for its antenna elements, minimizing visual recognition of the antenna and preserving passengers’ scenic views from the windows.

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For Reference
• Explanation Video

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About the AGC Group
AGC Inc.(Headquarters: Tokyo, President & CEO: Yoshinori Hirai) is the parent company of the AGC Group, a world-leading glass solution provider and supplier of flat, automotive and display glass, chemicals, ceramics and other high-tech materials and components. Based on more than a century of technical innovation, the AGC Group has developed a wide range of cutting-edge products. The AGC Group employs some 56,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of approximately 1.7 trillion Japanese yen through business in about 30 countries. For more information, please visit www.agc.com/en

＜Benefits of the 5G Glass Antenna＞

Communication conditions with trackside base stations

Standard Antenna ■The signals from the trackside base stations enter the metal train body through the windows and reach the Wi-Fi router after repeatedly reflecting and diffracting inside the cabin, causing the signal to weaken in the process. This type of communication condition is called Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS). ■Standard antennas are simple and easy to use, but their antenna performance has not been optimized for installation on railway vehicles.

5G Glass Antenna ■With the antenna installed above the window, radio waves from the trackside base stations can reach the Wi-Fi router without undergoing indoor reflection or diffraction. This communication condition is called Line‑of‑Sight (LOS). ■In general, LOS communication is said to provide a higher average throughput compared to NLOS. ■The 5G glass antenna is specially designed for installation on Shinkansen windows, making it easier to ensure antenna performance compared to standard antennas.