5G mobile communications standard
First 5G standalone networks for test purposes
Coordinated by Fraunhofer IPA, researchers are currently setting up the first 5G standalone networks at five locations in Baden-Württemberg.
These include the 5G test environments that scientists from several universities and research institutions are setting up. They form the 5G Transfer Center for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Transfer Center 5G4KMU). The aim is to research the possibilities of 5G. "So far, a pure 5G network only exists in the laboratories of mobile communications equipment suppliers," says Matthias Schneider from the DigITools Competence Center at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA. A transitional solution is currently still in use.
The 5G test environments are nearing completion. The aim is to research the problems and potential of 5G for networked products and machines as well as smart services and new business models. The new mobile communications standard enables networking with high bandwidth, low latency and the ability to connect many end devices. As such, 5G forms the basis for Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things.
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