German telecom operator Deutsche Telekom has signed a 5G-focused memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Audi and the city of Ingolstadt.
The goal of this partnership is to use 5G technology to make urban mobility safer, more digital and more sustainable.
The partners said that this MoU is the basis for the development of a digital transport infrastructure that in the long term will offer people greater road safety, better traffic flows and real-time digital services. The city council of Ingolstadt has already approved the cooperation and an application to set up a 5G model region in July.
According to Deutsche Telekom, one possible 5G application is connected traffic signals at road junctions that exchange anonymized movement data with cars and other road users via the 5G network. This will enable drivers or cars themselves to react more quickly to unforeseen movements.
The European telco also highlighted that mobile 5G devices of pedestrians and cyclists can also be integrated into real-time communication between infrastructure and cars, so that all road users can be connected as comprehensively as possible. Furthermore, new technologies such as 5G can reduce the time spent searching for parking spaces, which is a significant proportion of increased traffic volumes in cities. Free parking spaces will be communicated to drivers as real-time information so that they can navigate directly to them, Deutsche Telekom said.
Under the terms of the MoU, the city of Ingolstadt will support the installation and development of the cellular infrastructure of Deutsche Telekom, thus supporting application-oriented developments in the mobility sector. Audi and other industrial companies will be able to use the local 5G infrastructure.
“Together with companies and scientists, we are prepared to cooperate here in the testing and development of applications. Because if new technologies promise an advantage, we should also use them for the benefit of people. We see cooperation on the ‘Ingolstadt Test Field’ as a contribution towards securing qualified jobs in our city and as a demonstration of our efforts as a location for digital mobility. As with all innovations, however, the population must also be involved in 5G and actively informed about the technology and related projects,” said Christian Lösel, Mayor of Ingolstadt.
“Deutsche Telekom is supporting the city of Ingolstadt and Audi with the implementation of their innovative ideas. We are bringing 5G not only to the people of Germany, but also to the country’s industry. In the future, innovation and 5G will be inseparable,” said Martin Knauer, Head of Cellular Sales for Business Customers at Telekom Deutschland.
Last month, Deutsche Telekom announced that its 5G network is already operational in the cities of Berlin, Bonn, Cologne, Darmstadt, and Munich.
5G services in these five cities is being currently offered via 129 5G antennas. Deutsche Telekom also said that it is gradually expanding its 5G network clusters in these five major cities.
The German carrier expects to provide 5G coverage in the cities of Hamburg and Leipzig before the end of this year. A total of 300 5G base stations are expected to be deployed before the end of 2019, the telco said.
By the end of 2020, at least 20 of the largest cities in Germany are to be connected to the 5G network, according to Deutsche Telekom.
