News about 5G

The last work programme of Horizon 2020 (H2020) is prioritising the development of key technologies for digital transformation. Future networks that can be created and deployed using powerful 5G technologies, software, cloud computing, Internet of Things and Next Generation internet (using blockchain) will contribute to a successful digital transformation. At the Digital Excellence Forum @ ICT Proposers’ Day 2019, visitors will get precise information about the actions that can be funded in this context. The event is also a great place to find potential project partners.

The “fifth generation” of telecommunication systems will be a critical building block of our digital economy and society in the next decade. Mobile traffic doubles every two years and new applications are emerging. This factsheet explains how 5G will provide the capacities and performance to meet these connectivity needs.

Following the Commission Recommendation for a common European approach to the security of 5G networks, 24 EU Member States have now completed the first step and submitted national risk assessments. These assessments will feed into the next phase, a EU-wide risk assessment which will be completed by 1 October.

As part of the efforts to reduce the carbon-footprint, the study on “Energy-efficient Cloud Computing Technologies and Policies for an Eco-friendly Cloud Market” aims at developing a roadmap for research and development for green digital services (Green ICT). It is also investigating policy options for driving the market towards procuring and offering energy-efficient ICT services.

Seven new research and innovation projects for a total amount of EUR 100 million of EU funding have been selected by the Commission to set up large-scale 5G validation trials for a broad range of vertical sectors. This will further reinforce Europe's capabilities in creating socio-economic value from 5G technologies.

The European Commission has recommended a set of operational steps and measures to ensure a high level of cybersecurity of 5G networks across the EU.

The European Commission has set up an informal group of experts: the Single Platform for open road testing and pre-deployment of cooperative, connected, automated and autonomous mobility (CCAM).

At the Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, all three 5G Awards went to European companies. These include Deutsche Telekom, Nokia and a consortium conducting an EU-funded large-scale trial on the Hamburg Port. In particular, the European 5G Pioneer Award, which was jointly presented by the European Commission and GSMA, went to Deutsche Telekom recognising its leading role in driving 5G roll-out and ecosystems in Europe.

Today, the European Commission adopted an amending Implementing Decision to harmonise the radio spectrum in the 3.4-3.8 GHz (or 3.6 GHz) band for the future use with 5G. This is necessary to enable Member States to reorganise and allow the use of that band for 5G systems by 31 December 2020 in line with the European Electronic Communications Code.

The European Commission’s 5G Observatory has just released its latest quarterly report at the Forum Europe Annual 5G Conference in Brussels. The report shows that the European operators are head-to-head with other leading world-regions preparing for the commercial launch of 5G this year. Europe is leading 5G trial activities world-wide with 139 trials in 23 Member States developing new 5G business opportunities.