European Commission - Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology
European Commission - Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology
10/15/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2024 10:51
5G for rural smart communities of tomorrow (5G.RURAL)
This project will enable the deployment of smart community services in villages, with a focus on healthcare, education, energy efficiency, agriculture, art, culture and tourism.
| Location | Portugal - Alentejo Region |
| Sectors | Healthcare, Education/Research, Emergency/safety, Agriculture |
| Network type | 5G neutral host network |
| Project start - end date (duration) | 1 January 2024 - 31 December 2026 (36 months) |
| Total budget | €5.26 million |
| EU contribution | €3.95 million |
| Lead entity / organisation | dstelecom |
| Beneficiaries and partners |
Beneficiaries:
Affiliated entity:
Associated partners:
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The purpose of the project is to make connectivity infrastructures viable for rural areas through the layering of smart data-based services.
To achieve this, the project will deploy a 5G neutral host network in six municipalities in the region of Alentejo, Portugal.
What will it provide?
The project will enable reaching levels of competitiveness that make connectivity infrastructures viable for rural areas, by integrating multi-layer smart data-based services in villages lacking digital infrastructure. These services will enhance access to healthcare, education, energy efficiency, agriculture modernisation, and will promote culture, art and tourism.
How will it work?
The project's 5G neutral host network will enable the implementation of six use cases:
- Social action and active ageing support - the network will enable the use of sensors, geofencing, real-time personal alarm monitoring, and a data analysis and monitoring platform, allowing the telemonitoring of elderly individuals in their homes, to detect falls, risk events such as gas leaks, and deviations from daily habits, allowing emergency contacts to be alerted immediately and, by doing so, decreasing the likelihood of serious injury or fatal outcomes. The network will also enable the use of a social app to promote the physical and cognitive well-being of the elderly, increasing their autonomy.
- Education - the network will enable the transmission of large amounts of data to virtual reality headsets without compromising the processing speed of the end-user experience, allowing real-time interactivity in state-of-the art immersive learning experiences for students and the school community.
- Energy - the network will enable a large quantity of energy sensors to connect simultaneously to the cloud, ensuring that information is available in real time for the analysis of consumption and parameters of the electricity network and allowing the systems to respond accurately and rapidly.
- Agriculture - the network will enable controlling a drone with high precision and stability, while streaming video and transmitting large amounts of data from a multi-spectral camera in real time, allowing the provision of advanced drone-based services such as the precision application of pesticides and fertilisers, and crop condition analysis. The network will also enable the use of sensors and a web platform to allow real-time tracking and monitoring of livestock.
- Art and culture - the network will enable the use of high-quality video streaming and immersive scenarios, allowing artists to collaborate in real time over long distances, engaging in training, residencies, co-creation and concerts.
- Tourism - the network will enable the use of sensors, smart geographic information, and the transmission and display of high-resolution media content and navigation in augmented and virtual reality, allowing a fully interactive and immersive experience for citizens and tourists exploring the area and engaging with the municipality through a 'smart destination and community' application.
How will it be built?
The project will deploy a 5G neutral host network, incorporating a 5G non-standalone network and a 4G network to ensure a wider range of end-user devices can be supported. The 5G New Radio (NR) network will be installed on a neutral host infrastructure ready for several mobile network operators (MNOs). As the primary focus will be on outdoor coverage, new site infrastructure will be built using towers with a maximum height of 15 meters. The solution will be designed to integrate seamlessly with the village landscape, possibly using structures such as lamp posts.
It will comprise:
- 5G deployment at 3.6 GHz;
- 25 rural sites;
- Cloud resources.
How is it financed?
The project has a total budget of €5.26 million, of which €3.95 million under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital programme.
Who is involved?
The project is lead by dstelecom, as project coordinator, with NOS Comunicações, S.A., INNOVATION POINT and IRRADIARE as beneficiaries; NOS Technology S.A. as affiliated entity; and Alandroal Municipality, Arronches Municipality, Montemor-o-Novo Municipality, Odemira Municipality, Reguengos de Monsaraz Municipality and Portel Municipality as associated partners.
How can I find out more about the project?
The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)
Read more:
- Visit the project page in the EU Funding and Tenders Portal (europa.eu)
- Projectwebsite and social media (LinkedIn, x.com)