Hybrid 5G represents a transformative approach in telecommunications, integrating both public and private networks to enhance connectivity and operational efficiency. As demand for high-speed, low-latency connections surges across various industries, several major telecom operators and technology providers are stepping up to develop and deploy innovative solutions.
By the end of 2023, Europe’s 5G coverage had surpassed 70%, with more than 214 million subscriptions, reflecting an annual growth of over 27%. Key markets like Germany, France, and the UK are leading the charge, with Germany aiming to extend 5G access to 98% of its population by 2025. According to Ericsson’s Mobility Report, European operators invested over EUR 25 billion in 5G infrastructure in 2022 alone, a figure projected to increase by 15% annually as hybrid 5G networks become essential for IoT integration and edge computing across industries.
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Hybrid 5G: The Best of Both Worlds
Hybrid 5G integrates public and private 5G networks, providing flexible, scalable connectivity to enterprises. Public 5G offers broad coverage and capacity, while private networks deliver secure, customizable, ultra-low-latency connections for specific industry needs. This combination allows businesses to optimize their network usage, seamlessly transitioning between public and private environments based on their requirements.
A hybrid setup enhances security and efficiency, allowing sensitive data transfers over private networks while using public networks for less critical tasks. While this approach provides flexibility and cost savings, it also introduces complexity in managing multiple infrastructures and potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities. However, despite additional licensing fees, the overall costs remain lower than those of fully private networks.
This setup offers the flexibility to run operations on suitable networks. Diversifying the network reduces the risk of downtime and data loss, and using cheaper public networks for non-essential tasks lowers costs. It also helps segregate sensitive data and optimize network resources for business needs.
While the hybrid setup offers numerous benefits, managing such networks can be complex. It involves dealing with multiple infrastructures and vendors, which can be challenging. Public network vulnerabilities can potentially expose the entire system to cyber-attacks, and compatibility issues may arise when integrating various technologies. Additionally, integration requires specialized hardware and software, adding another layer of complexity to the process.
The cost structure of hybrid 5G includes both public and private infrastructure expenses. However, these costs are generally lower than those of a fully private network, despite the additional licensing fees that may apply. This cost-effective approach, coupled with the flexibility and scalability of the hybrid setup, makes hybrid 5G an attractive option for businesses.
The EU and Hybrid 5G
The European Union has been committed to advancing 5G technologies, with the European Commission launching initiatives like the 5G Public-Private Partnership (5G-PPP) in 2013 to drive innovation and global leadership in this field. Through Horizon 2020, over EUR 700 million was invested in 5G research, reinforcing the EU’s goal of building next-generation communication networks. The 2016 5G Action Plan and the Digital Compass strategy have set ambitious targets, including 5G infrastructure deployment across all Member States by 2020 and full 5G coverage in populated areas by 2030.
Major telecom operators and technology providers are at the forefront of developing and deploying hybrid 5G across the European Union, marking a significant advancement in telecommunications. This innovative approach combines the capabilities of public and private 5G networks, facilitating enhanced connectivity and operational efficiency for businesses and industries. As demand for high-speed, low-latency connectivity continues to grow, these key players are not only collaborating but also committing to create solutions that not only meet current needs but also pave the way for future technological advancements.
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Deutsche Telekom
Deutsche Telekom stands at the forefront of hybrid 5G in Germany, blending its extensive experience in public 5G networks with tailored private network solutions within the automotive, manufacturing, and healthcare industries. This strategic integration allows the company to enhance connectivity and performance for various applications requiring real-time data processing.
Deutsche Telekom is actively expanding its Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) offerings through collaborations with major technology firms, enabling the integration of edge computing for specialized use cases. This hybrid approach merges fixed broadband with 5G technology, facilitating seamless switching between different connectivity types to optimize user experiences. By enhancing both download and upload speeds, Deutsche Telekom aims to provide reliable connectivity for diverse online activities, thus, reinforcing its commitment to advancing digital infrastructure across sectors.
Vodafone
Vodafone has become a significant player in the hybrid 5G arena, particularly within Germany and the broader European Union. The company is investing heavily in public 5G networks and developing robust private 5G capabilities to serve sectors like smart cities, logistics, and connected industries. Vodafone enhances real-time applications through strategic partnerships with leading technology firms, such as industrial IoT and autonomous vehicle systems.
Porsche Engineering and Vodafone Business have established Europe’s first 5G hybrid mobile private network (MPN) at the Nardò Technical Center (NTC) in southern Italy. This network integrates private and public 5G infrastructures, providing real-time communication with reduced latency, enhanced security, and increased bandwidth. The hybrid system supports applications such as vehicle-to-infrastructure communication and autonomous driving tests, ensuring high-performance testing for NTC’s clients while extending fast public 5G access to the local community. Additionally, the network enables cloud connectivity, fostering efficient global collaboration and data-driven development.
KPN
In the Netherlands, KPN is leading the charge in hybrid 5G deployment across various sectors, including logistics, agriculture, and healthcare. The company is committed to providing high-performance, low-latency connectivity for applications that require real-time data processing, such as smart agriculture and precision farming. KPN is also collaborating with technology partners to assist enterprises in adopting cloud-native solutions, thereby contributing to the advancement of Industry 4.0 applications.
This year, KPN has focused on integrating edge computing and business LAN technologies to address the increasing demand for reliable and robust infrastructure in industrial applications. The operator emphasizes that meeting the needs of these applications goes beyond just speed and connectivity; it also necessitates strong security, excellent indoor coverage, guaranteed availability, and rapid response times. KPN’s strategy is designed to meet these essential requirements while continually expanding the features available within its service offerings.
Orange
Operating across Europe, including key markets like France, Spain, and Belgium, Orange is another pivotal player in the hybrid 5G space. The company is actively deploying private 5G networks targeted at industries such as energy, transport, and intelligent ports. In addition, Orange is investing in multi-access edge computing (MEC) to support high-performance, low-latency use cases, including augmented reality (AR) and real-time video analytics.
The company has successfully conducted trials of hybrid private mobile networks using 5G standalone (5G SA) technology, allowing companies to simultaneously access private and public networks through a single SIM card. This innovative approach enables efficient operations in complex environments, such as ports, where a unified network can support both office functions and critical automation processes. Orange aims to optimize production and enhance the experiences of field operators by leveraging the benefits of hybrid network models.
Technology Enablers
Key technology enablers such as Ericsson and Nokia play a crucial role in making hybrid 5G a reality. These equipment manufacturers provide the necessary infrastructure and network-slicing technologies that allow operators to effectively manage and deploy both public and private 5G networks.
For instance, Ericsson’s partnerships with operators like Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom focus on enhancing network capabilities and supporting advanced applications across different sectors.
Similarly, Nokia is collaborating with KPN and Telefónica to enable cloud-native 5G core networks, fostering a flexible environment that supports diverse deployments. As the demand for hybrid 5G solutions continues to rise, these technology providers are instrumental in driving innovation and ensuring that operators can meet the evolving needs of their customers across industries.
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Empowering Europe’s Digital Future
The concept of hybrid 5G matters now more than ever in the EU as it is a cornerstone for the digital transformation that Europe seeks to achieve, especially as the region moves toward digital sovereignty. Hybrid 5G enables industries to harness ultra-fast, low-latency, and highly secure network environments, making them more agile and competitive in a rapidly evolving global market.
In Europe, the concept of hybrid 5G is advancing rapidly as industries increasingly demand more specialized connectivity solutions. This model blends the benefits of public 5G networks—comprehensive coverage, scalability, and easy access—with private networks’ tailored, secure, and low-latency performance. By allowing seamless transitions between the two, hybrid 5G provides greater flexibility for enterprises, enabling them to manage critical applications securely while maintaining access to broader public infrastructure.
Industries like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and automotive are at the forefront of adopting hybrid 5G. For instance, in smart factories, private 5G can ensure reliable, high-speed communication within the facility, while the public network facilitates interactions with external partners or remote sites. This dual-network capability supports real-time data processing and IoT applications, enabling innovations such as autonomous vehicles, precision farming, and intelligent ports.
European telecom operators are working closely with technology providers to develop these hybrid models, integrating edge computing and advanced cloud services to boost performance further. Collaborations with major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and AWS help streamline this integration, offering Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platforms that cater to diverse industry requirements. These partnerships are instrumental in scaling hybrid 5G across Europe, making it a key driver for Industry 4.0 and the digital transformation of critical sectors.
From a public sector perspective, hybrid 5G supports intelligent city initiatives across Europe, allowing for more efficient management of public services such as traffic control, energy distribution, and public safety. Cities like Hamburg, Germany, and Rotterdam, Netherlands, are already exploring the benefits of hybrid 5G to integrate real-time data analytics, improve mobility solutions, and optimize infrastructure use.
Moreover, hybrid 5G aligns with the EU’s data privacy and security regulations. By combining private and public 5G networks, enterprises can ensure that sensitive data remains within their control while taking advantage of the broader connectivity offered by public 5G networks. This is particularly important in highly regulated sectors like finance and healthcare, where compliance with the GDPR and other data protection laws is essential.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, hybrid 5G is a technological innovation and a strategic enabler of Europe’s future digital ecosystem. It converges public and private networks, providing scalable, secure, and high-performance connectivity solutions that are propelling the next wave of digital innovation across various industries. As the EU continues to invest in 5G, cloud computing, and AI, hybrid 5G will be at the heart of its push towards a digitally sovereign, innovative, and sustainable future.