Deutsche Telekom has installed a 5G campus network at the “Smart Vineyard” project in the Moselle Valley’s Cochem-Zell district.
Known for its two-millennia-old winemaking heritage, the Moselle Valley is now adopting 5G to tackle labor shortages and climate issues. The initiative, backed by Deutsche Telekom and the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, integrates AI and robotics to automate essential tasks in the region’s challenging vineyard terrain.
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5G and Viticulture Converge
Deutsche Telekom has announced that the 5G network at the Moselle Valley’s Smart Vineyard operates on industrial frequencies between 3.7 and 3.8 GHz. These frequencies were specifically licensed for the vineyard by the Federal Network Agency. As a result, the network functions as a private system, separate from Deutsche Telekom’s public network.
Deutsche Telekom detailed that its 5G campus network supports autonomous robots responsible for crucial tasks like soil cultivation and pest monitoring. Equipped with cameras and sensors, these robots deliver real-time data on vine health, enhancing sustainable farming practices by optimizing resource use.
Mathias Poeten, Head of the Mobile Network at Deutsche Telekom, said, “5G is revolutionizing viticulture. Deutsche Telekom’s 5G campus network creates the basis for this and is specially tailored to the needs of the robot in the vineyard. With our innovative solution in container format, we can ensure that the network moves with the winegrowers in the future and, thus, ensures the best connectivity at all times.”
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Wireless Signal Performance in Agricultural Environments
Beyond supporting robotics, the network is also used to study 5G signal interference and propagation in challenging agricultural settings. The uneven terrain of the vineyards complicates uniform signal coverage. Research will focus on how objects like wires, plants, and foliage impact 5G signal quality.
Deutsche Telekom also plans to evolve the network into a nomadic system, allowing it to move between vineyards for cultivation. Managed by the University of Koblenz and supported by local partners, this initiative aims to blend digital innovation with traditional winemaking practices, helping to sustain the Moselle Valley’s winemaking heritage.
The official release states that the project offers advantages for both winegrowers and research into wireless signal performance in agricultural environments.
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