T-MOBILE LAUNCHES THE FIRST PRIVATE CAMPUS NETWORK IN OSTRAVA

• T-Mobile and VŠB-TUO completed the construction of a private industrial campus network
• The first industrial 5G campus network in the Czech Republic is ready for launch in the VŠB-TUO campus in Ostrava - Poruba, which is one of the largest university campuses in Central Europe in terms of area.
• The network will help digitize production

Prague, July 15, 2020 – T-Mobile and VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava have completed the construction of the first private 5G ready campus network in the Czech Republic. T-Mobile launched the campus network on July 8, 2020, and its functional infrastructure, which is currently operated on 4G frequencies, was also handed over to VŠB - TUO for operation. This will be followed by the development of applications that will use the new technologies supplied in the industry, as well as the commissioning of 5G.

The university has already applied for the allocation of test frequencies for 5G. By the end of the year, students, researchers, academics and business leaders will be able to test for the first time the operation of a true industrial campus 5G network supporting Industry 4.0 technologies and new low-latency, high-speed applications. The campus network covers part of the VŠB-TUO campus, including several buildings, the interior of a smart factory and a 3D plastic and metal printing facility. Here it will be used for communication of robots, autonomous vehicles and other machines involved in fully automated production.

Both partners began construction of the network by signing a memorandum in December last year, announcing its launch in the first half of 2020. “The completion and launch of the first private campus network in the Czech Republic took place according to plan. Thanks to the excellent cooperation with the university and a key supplier, Ericsson, we delivered the completed campus network on time," says Juraj Bóna, Executive Director of T-Mobile for the Czech Republic, adding: " We are ready to switch to 5G immediately as soon as the Czech Telecommunications Office confirm the allocation of test frequencies."

The partners completed the construction of the Smart Factory building and the implementation of the communication infrastructure. It covers both outdoor and indoor areas, in which autonomous vehicles will move and communication with robots and other devices will be required. In close cooperation between T-Mobile and VŠB - TUO, the experimental development of individual cases of the use of 5G technology and the Internet of Things in Industry 4.0 will follow. Today, a unique testbed is being created in the Poruba area, where various experiments can be carried out thanks to new technologies leading to an increase in the efficiency of industrial production. The results will be intended primarily for Czech industry.

Tomáš Ryšavý, Director of the CX and Transformation Division of T-Mobile Czech Republic and Slovak Telekom, said: “We welcome the opportunity to connect young people with the latest technologies. We are convinced that our cooperation will soon bring the first concrete customer solutions in the field of production digitization. We support the development of innovative solutions for the mobile connection industry within the Deutsche Telekom Group throughout Europe.” The partners expect that by the end of the year we will be able to conclude cooperation with specific clients from companies and test real scenarios.

Smart Factory

VŠB-TUO is currently completing the construction of a building that is part of a testbed housing a Smart Factory - digital workplace with robotics components, autonomous transportation and utilization of Industry 4.0 elements. Another part of the testbed is for example a “Home Care” with flats equipped with ability to monitor its tenants’ needs, IoT components development and technologies from biomedical engineering, dedicated corridor for autonomous cars traffic or a 3D printing centre. Integral part of the infrastructure complex will be a private campus network to be deployed by T-Mobile. It is the future standard of communications technology that is critical for connecting robotic devices, IoT sensors, cameras, IT equipment, digital devices and other network elements of the manufacturing process.

Private Campus Network

Campus networks will allow companies to use a variety of modern digital communication technologies supporting LTE, 5G, IoT, for their business, manufacturing and operational purposes. The private campus is of key importance especially in connection with 5G network technology. The main advantages of 5G technology in conjunction with a private campus network are digitalization of not only manufacturing, but also in other areas such as logistics, trade or healthcare. Fifth generation networks are designed from the outset to be safe against eavesdropping and other risks of abuse. They operate in the licensed band, so they have clear rules that protect networks from interference. They are capable of handling very high-density terminal equipment.

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.