Nokia is to work with the University of Kaiserslautern in Germany to research the architectural requirements of 5G networks, as the European Commission announced a “landmark” study of the technology.
Finland-based Nokia will sponsor work by the University of Kaiserslautern that aims to explore the changes needed in telecoms networks to allow for 5G’s “diverse and extreme requirements.”
This includes the need for near-zero latency, for applications like remote-controlled robotics, as well as to facilitate the billions of devices expected to be connected in the Internet of Things, Nokia said.
The collaboration will also address the requirement that 5G is able to successfully combine multiple radio technologies, as well as Wi-Fi, into a single, managed system.
This new network architecture will have to be highly programmable and “managed holistically to enable a diverse range of services in a profitable way,” Nokia said.
Peter Merz, Head of Radio Systems at Nokia Networks, commented: “5G is not only about new radio access technology: network architecture will play an important role as well.
“We are working with University of Kaiserslautern to develop components and capabilities that will make it possible to execute our vision for the 5G architecture.”
Prof. Hans Schotten, University of Kaiserslautern and Scientific Director, German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence, said he was “confident that together we will be able to come up with a basis for developing novel and highly efficient network architecture.”
Meanwhile, a new study commissioned by Brussels will explore the socioeconomic benefits of 5G technology and its potential use cases in various industries in Europe.
The 12-month study, conducted by Real Wireless, Tech4i2, InterDigital Europe and Trinity College Dublin, will determine where 5G technology is expected to have an impact and specify verticals in which the technology can bring added value over 4G.
The transport and health sectors were identified as particular areas of interest for the study.
The project will also involve looking 5G’s deployment roadmap in Europe and its expected impact on economies across the continent, in order to plan for future market policies regarding regulation and spectrum allocation.
[Read more: Europe must address regulation to drive 5G, says Commissioner]
Real Wireless claimed the study “will be fully informed by and consistent with the 5G PPP initiatives while offering a fresh and independent perspective.”
Project Director and Real Wireless Director of Technology, Simon Saunders, said: “The socioeconomic effects of this new generation of wireless will be unprecedented, and understanding these will be crucial in securing Europe as a global leader in 5G.
“The consortium we have assembled to work on this project offers a uniquely informed yet independent perspective on these issues.”