Europe’s First 5G Cross-Border Highway 

5G highway

Orange, O2 Telefónica, Vantage Towers, TOTEM, and the Saarland University of Applied Sciences (htw saar) have joined forces to establish Europe’s first cross-border 5G highway corridor.

The project, aptly named 5G Autobahn to Autoroute (5G A2A), will span 60 kilometers and link Metz, France, with Saarbrücken, Germany. Construction is set to begin in early 2025, with completion anticipated by late 2027.

Also Read: EU Commission Invests EUR 865 Million to Boost 5G and Gigabit Connectivity

The project aims to enhance 5G connectivity for travelers crossing borders while facilitating industrial trials. The corridor will include a 55-kilometer stretch in France along the A4 and A320 motorways and a 5-kilometer segment in Germany along the A6 motorway. The infrastructure will ensure uninterrupted 5G connectivity is integrated into the Atlantic Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).

Orange and TOTEM will install nine new masts in France and upgrade eight existing ones to deliver dedicated 5G coverage on the 3.5 GHz frequency. Meanwhile, in Germany, O2 Telefónica and Vantage Towers will deploy five radio masts equipped with a distributed antenna system (DAS) operating at 3.6 GHz.

Read More: The Road to Via Baltica: A 5G Journey

Driving the Future of Connectivity

Thierry Marigny, Director of the Grand Est. Region, Eastern France, Orange, noted that, “Orange is proud to lead the deployment of Europe’s first next-generation 5G corridor between Metz and Saarbrücken. This pioneering project will enable connected vehicles and equipment, providing users with enhanced comfort and safety through driver assistance services.”

Mallik Rao, Chief Technology & Enterprise Officer, O2 Telefónica, added, “We are building a high-speed 5G highway to deliver gigabit speeds for consumers and companies while on the move. This initiative represents a significant step toward realizing connected driving in Germany. Partnering with the automotive and logistics industries, we aim to test and implement future digital networking solutions using our high-performance 5G network.”

The 5G Autobahn to Autoroute project underscores the importance of digitalization that transcends borders, paving the way for seamless connectivity and innovation across Europe. Being the first of its kind, the initiative sets a new benchmark for the future of cross-border communication and smart mobility.

Telecom Review Europe Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and stay updated.

    terms & conditions

    Telecom Review Europe