Japanese technology giant NEC Corp (6701: Tokyo) has received its first order for 5G networks outside Japan.

NEC announced on Tuesday that it has received an order from Vodafone Group PLC (VOD: NASDAQ GS), a leading British telecom company, for 5G base station products with high-speed communications standards.

The company will participate in Vodafone's plan to build Europe’s first open RAN commercial network. It is being promoted by Vodafone, South Korea's Samsung Electronics, American computer maker Dell, and American software company Wind River System, Inc.

It is the first time that NEC has received an order for 5G equipment from outside Japan.