The promise of 5G has been around for a long time, but so far we are still waiting for the real 5G in December. In Switzerland, the 3.5 GHz frequency band is already being used. There, they are fully discovering the possibilities of 5G.
MCS'er Wim Masselink traveled to Switzerland for a 5G training and installation of a Private 5G Standalone (SA) network in the mountains.
Private 5G network for a Swiss government agency
Together with our partner, he has installed a Private 5G SA network for a Swiss government agency. What makes this installation extra special is that the network has been rolled out in the 3500 MHz band. This frequency band offers the high speeds and low latency that everyone in the Netherlands is looking forward to - the real 5G.
Reliable communication during mountain emergencies
The government agency wants to test the coverage and speed of the 5G network in mountain areas for reliable communication between (moving) vehicles and people. Think for example of rescue workers during emergency situations in the mountains. The reliability and range of this network are therefore of great importance.
Scope of 5G testing in mountainous areas
By testing with both omni and directional antennas, the end customer wants to see the effect of the range of the Private 5G network in mountainous areas. Mountains form physical barriers that can block or reflect radio waves.
By experimenting with different antennas, they gain good insight into the best antenna for their mission critical communications solution.
Independent experimentation with 5G after MCS training
In addition to installing the Private 5G SA network, Wim also provided extensive training to the partner engineers. They were given an explanation of the operation of the various 5G network elements. And they enriched their knowledge of the total operation of the entire network.
This training enables the government agency to manage their own 5G network. They can now independently experiment with bandwidths, frequencies and transmission powers. These are the 3 most important parameters that determine the quality, data throughput speed and range of the network.
Wireless data connection up to 1 Gb/s
The network rolled out in Switzerland is a Nokia 5G SA Perimeter Network. This provides the end customer with a wireless data connection of up to 1 Gb/s with very low latency.
The network is unique because it operates entirely on premise and therefore completely disconnected from any connection to the outside world. This is ideal for applications where security and mission criticality are of the utmost importance. In addition, this network is extremely suitable for functions such as sharing real-time video images and controlling autonomous vehicles.
Nokia Perimeter Network provided only by certified partners
You may wonder why the Swiss ended up at MCS. It has everything to do with the Nokia Perimeter solution. This variant of a 5G network that works exclusively on premise without a cloud connection, is an exclusive showpiece of Nokia. It may therefore only be supplied by certified partners.
MCS is fully certified and has delivered multiple of these complex, mission critical networks. Therefore, MCS was asked to provide support to the partner and end customer for this unique case.
Safe and reliable 5G network opens up a world of possibilities
This network opens up a world of possibilities. It enables users to set up applications that require high bandwidth and were previously impossible.
With a Private 5G SA network, you have your own wireless mobile network with guaranteed coverage where the customer wants and needs coverage. Users are in full control of the network themselves. Sensitive data does not go over the public internet and remains within the network. In addition, customers determine who has access to the network.
Users are also independent of the mobile operator. There is a guaranteed uptime of the network and savings on subscription costs of providers of a public network.
The installation in Switzerland is just a taste of what is possible when the 5G of the future soon becomes reality in the Netherlands. This 5G adventure in the Alps is in any case a success and tastes like more!
More information
Want to get started with 5G yourself? We have developed a 5G mobile kit. Together with you, we would like to look at the possibilities for your organization. TakeContactcontact us for more information.
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