Since June 2023, Vantage Towers has been working together with Deutsche Bahn (DB), Ericsson and O2 Telefónica on establishing an extensive 5G mobile communications infrastructure along train tracks in Germany. The project aims to provide travellers with reliable 5G connection and mobile communication services on trains, so that they can use their office and entertainment applications without interruptions.
As part of the German government’s gigabit strategy, the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is funding the Gigabit Innovation Track project with €6.4M. The project planning involves testing 5G on O2 Telefónica's 3.6 GHz frequencies in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. Plans call for 13 innovative towers of different designs to be built to provide uninterrupted gigabit coverage for the line. Future collaborations between tower, rail and mobile communications companies may be modelled on this cooperation, so that passengers can benefit from excellent data services whilst travelling on the railway lines — on the long term.
Here are the thoughts of some of the stakeholders:
Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport:
“We want trains to be able to serve as a travelling office or living room where passengers can work, stream videos and make calls without any technical issues at all. To achieve this high quality, we must have gigabit coverage. The Gigabit Innovation Track project will lay the crucial foundation for this.”
Christian Sommer, member of the Management Board of Vantage Towers:
“The major challenge of gigabit coverage for railways can only be solved through consistent sharing of infrastructure. For the 5G rollout along tracks, we focus on innovative tower concepts for a fast, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly implementation. We’re delighted to be able to contribute to Germany’s sustainable digitalisation in this way.”
Daniela Gerd tom Markotten, DB Board Member for Digitalisation and Technology:
“We’re joining forces with the rail and mobile communications industries and tower operators to ensure the rapid expansion of 5G networks along our tracks. Our goal is to offer top quality connections to inspire people in Germany to take the train.”
Valentina Daiber, Chief Officer Legal and Corporate Affairs at O2 Telefónica:
“Today, we’re setting the course for future gigabit coverage along tracks. Consumers want to be able to use a high-performance mobile network for all their digital applications, even when they're on the train. Rail companies, mobile companies and policymakers need to work together to enable fast 5G on trains.”
Daniel Leimbach, Managing Director of Ericsson GmbH:
“As the leader in 5G technology, we rely on active and passive Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) and beamforming technologies. Beamforming directs radio signals to receiving devices using a technique that allows especially targeted and efficient data transmission.”
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