This week, Vodafone and Autobahn GmbH announced they would work together to bring 5G to all German motorways by 2028 at the latest.
Building additional masts will close remaining coverage gaps along the country’s highways, making the network more dense and minimizing the number of dropped calls. At the same time, this expansion will help develop tomorrow’s autonomous transportation by creating conditions for new mobility applications.
5G highway
To ensure rapid expansion, this partnership will simplify and expedite location exploration and construction planning. For example, Autobahn will provide Vodafone with state-owned land for new mast sites such as rest areas and highway maintenance depots.
By the end of 2026, Vodafone plans to install an additional 150 mobile sites equipped with 5G technology along its 13,200-kilometre motorway network, with an additional 1,000 construction measures based on the capacity of existing mobile communications systems. The focus will be on expansion.
“Expanding networks along transport routes is and will continue to be a challenge. But anyone who travels around this country by car needs reliable cell phone coverage and the latest It is also clear that mobile networks must also be available,” explained Michael Jungwirth, Director of Public Policy and External Affairs and Member of the Management Board. Vodafone Germany.
Currently, Vodafone Germany already operates more than 6,000 mobile sites covering motorway routes and tunnels. Since the end of 2022, more than 3,600 of these mobile phone stations are already offering 5G to motorists, offering faster and more reliable connectivity. A new partnership with Autobahn will provide even more comprehensive coverage for drivers in Germany.
Bringing connectivity to the truck
Germany’s motorways are just one example of how Europe provides connectivity for travelers. In the UK, we have been working hard to support Vodafone customers using London Underground connections with connections at Tube stations.
In September, Central Station, Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus joined seven existing 4G and 5G locations, including Camden Town and Notting Hill Gate, bringing the total to 56 as of January. of 4G live locations, 32 of which are also live with 5G connectivity. So are his 18 4G locations, including Westminster and Waterloo.
This means customers will be able to stay connected using mobile data inside some ticket booths and station tunnels on the Northern, Central and now Elizabeth Lines, starting in April 2023. Complements the Wi-Fi subway switch. Displays the entire map that includes live venues.1.
The Tube’s customers already use enough data to send the equivalent of around 1.5 billion WhatsApp messages per day across Vodafone 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi.
Similarly, Italy recently announced plans to bring 5G to all of Rome’s metro lines, supporting Europe’s broader digital ambitions.
With Telecom Italia (TIM), Iliad and WindTre, Vodafone Italia will support the goals of the 2030 Digital Agenda and improve telecoms services for tourists and locals in the capital, as part of its efforts to improve telecommunications services for tourists and locals in the capital. Deploy 5G to your infrastructure.
TIM and Vodafone Italy have turned on 4G and 5G on Milan’s Line 4 metro system in 2023 through a partnership with local tower operator Inwit.
1 Territory map showing underground 4G and 5G coverage – December 2023 (tfl.gov.uk)