Basque Country Technology Park launches the first 5G Living Lab in Spain

The Alava Vitoria-Gasteiz Campusof the Basque Country Technology Park has become a “LivingLab” for 5G technology in Spain, through collaboration with Vodafone who will install a 5G Mobile Private Networks (MPNs) which include ultrafast broadband access.

This improvement in the park’s network will allow industries such as IoT, robotics, and AI to take advantage of the benefits brought by 5G, including the guarantee of a high-quality service with high speeds and minimum latency, no interruptions or faults, and high-level security accesses by exclusive and controlled access. Simultaneously, Mobile Private Networks ensure self-management and guarantee network density, allowing thousands of devices to be connected without affecting the quality of the service – a key need in industrial environments.

The development of the project, which will take 12 weeks, generates collaboration between numerous suppliers and partners of Vodafone, and brings groundbreaking technologies including the first commercial MPN deployment with a 5G stand- alone core from Athonet, as well as the first Mobile Private Network to leverage the capabilities of the multi-operator core network (MOCN) in coordination with the public radio access network (RAN).

This new era of 5G connectivity brings the potential of transforming the way in which companies operate and compete in the global market. Offering higher data speeds that what the industry is currently accustomed to, 5G networks improve both efficiency and productivity, having a direct impact on businesses.

The creation of a regional 5G Living Lab is part of the Basque Government’s strategic investment plan for 2022-2024, which includes the allocation of 2.5 million euros for the implementation of 5G as a tool used to build the digital economy and community of the near future. The regional Government’s commitment to the development of smart industries and infrastructure is linked to the park’s mission of transforming its different campuses with cutting-edge smart infrastructure. This dedication is what made one of their sites become one of the first 50 SDG Model Zones.