Innovation in 5G and the future of telecommunications
5TONIC supports 5G innovation at Ericsson’s Imagine Live with groundbreaking demos.
While 5G transformed our daily lives when it was introduced, its research is not finished yet. Many of its uses and applications can be introduced in industrial processes along with other technologies. This approach, among others, was discussed during one of the benchmark events for tech leaders, academics and institutional representatives, organized by Ericsson, a member of our lab 5TONIC, founded by Telefónica and IMDEA Networks. For three days, innovations in the telecommunications sector were showcased at the Imagine Live 2024.
This unique event jointly explored the most revolutionary opportunities for Spain’s digital transformation journey enabled by 5G and connectivity. During this remarkable gathering, conferences, panel discussions and practical demonstrations were held with the aim of exploring in depth the existing and future capabilities of 5G, as well as addressing key trends such as artificial intelligence, sustainability and cybersecurity.
Some of these pioneering applications aim to revolutionise our everyday lives, which were presented by members of the lab such as Ericsson, Capgemini Engineering, and collaborators such as Yerba Buena, YBVRº.
Ericsson presented Trustworthy AI: Accelerating Intelligent RAN Automation, which uses explainable artificial intelligence to automate and optimise radio access networks (RANs), ensuring greater reliability and efficiency.
One of the most outstanding demonstrations was Predictive Maintenance for Wind Turbines, developed by Capgemini Engineering. This technology enables real-time monitoring of the condition of wind turbines using sensors and predictive analytics algorithms. Thanks to 5G, data can be processed with low latency, anticipating possible failures and reducing maintenance costs, making it a key solution for the energy sector sustainability and efficiency.
Another relevant demonstration was Immersive Streaming, powered by Yerba Buena VR, which explores new ways of consuming audiovisual content thanks to 5G. This technology enables immersive streaming experiences with optimised virtual reality, which could transform the way we interact with video games, music, tourism and sporting events.
Finally, Deterministic Networking with 5G was highlighted for its ability to deliver stable, low-latency and low-cost connections, essential for critical applications such as industrial automation and remote surgery.
It was also presented the 5G SA mmW Private Network system. This demo uses a 5G Standalone network in a millimetre wave band to be independent of 5G frequencies. It is useful for applications that need high performance, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or mixed reality (MR), because this way the connection is independent, has low latency, and reduces waiting times. This project is part of the European TrialsNet consortium, which seeks to conduct use cases with real large-scale trials to push the limits of existing 5G technology and lay the foundations for the transition to the next evolution of mobile communications networks.
Other demos presented were On-demand Network Slicing for B2C upselling and ML/AI-based Exposure for Private Networks, carried out by 5TONIC. The first demonstrated the specific connection of a subscription app to a network segment with special features, which can be used on smartphones. The second demonstration highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance 5G private networks, making them faster, more stable, and more energy-efficient.
The sharing of these projects has a positive impact on 5G research. Through the forums, presentations and seminars, discussions and exchanges of information foster the development of cutting-edge technologies in the sector. The event also served as a platform to foster collaboration between the different players in the Spanish digital ecosystem.
The showcase of experiments, with practical demonstrations, such as those carried out by 5TONIC, illustrate the importance of investigating 5G applications and adapting them to technologies in other sectors. The use of 5G improves the processes of these industries in terms of executive quality, maintenance and monitoring, due to its efficiency, cost and low latency. On the other hand, new technology standards, such as 6G, are made possible by the advances made at events dedicated to innovation. Without these technological transformations, we would not have access to the powerful new communication technologies we enjoy today.