Telefónica launches Spain's first 5G lab


Details

Juan Fernandez Gonzalez

| 30 October 2015





5TONIC is the first laboratory for 5G excellence in Spain, launched as a result of a collaboration between Telefónica and IMDEA Networks, and having Ericsson as its first partner.


The centre aims to create an open ecosystem for innovation and research as well as to provide a place where industry and the academic world can work together on 5G development.

Located in Madrid, the centre will open in November and operate at least until the first 5G products are commercially viable.

Ericsson will carry out viability tests of specific technology, determining hidden deployment costs, and analysing all aspects of the system as well as the complexity of all the different solutions.

5TONIC will comprise two main areas: virtualisation software for 5G networks (focused on virtualisation of network functions, software defined networks, and cloud and signalling services) and 5G wireless systems area (looking at the air interface, radio aspects, multiplexing, spectrum and interference).

"The centre will allow us to test, choose, and prioritise the functionalities of the candidate networks and services that will be part of future 5G networks, in order for the resulting system to be consistent and coherent," said Enrique Blanco, CTO, Telefónica Global. "We don't want the 5G networks start-up to be a specific single event, but rather a process which we want to begin right now."

"Ericsson actively participates in European and international programmes for the investigation and development of 5G, and our alliance with Telefónica and IMDEA Networks will contribute so that Spanish industries and society in general enjoy the benefits of 5G in the near future," added José Antonio López, board member at Ericsson Spain.