Dstelecom is spearheading a consortium aimed at delivering 5G connectivity to 70,000 residents in the remote areas of Alentejo by 2026. The project, named “5G.RURAL – 5G for rural smart communities of tomorrow,” involves a €5.3 million investment, with 75% co-financed by the European Commission.
Key Points
- Project Name: 5G.RURAL – 5G for rural smart communities of tomorrow
- Investment: €5.3 million
- Co-financing: 75% by the European Commission
- Target Population: 70,000 people in remote Alentejo
- Completion Date: 2026
- Consortium Members: Dstelecom, NOS, Innovation Point, IrRadiare
- Areas of Impact: Health, education, energy, agriculture, tourism, art, and culture
Project Overview
The 5G.RURAL project aims to provide 5G coverage to over 70,000 people in remote areas of Alentejo, significantly improving their quality of life and accessibility through enhanced connectivity. The project is part of the Digital pillar of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and is one of ten proposals approved across Europe.
Consortium and Funding
The consortium, led by Dstelecom, includes NOS, Innovation Point, and IrRadiare. The total investment for the project is €5.3 million, with 75% of the funding coming from the European Commission. The project will span three years, focusing on developing scalable solutions that integrate antennas and other necessary components sustainably into both urban and rural landscapes.
Implementation and Goals
The project aims to implement a variety of 5G use cases in areas such as health, education, energy, agriculture, tourism, art, and culture. The consortium is already working on developing solutions for the 5G network in a ‘neutral host’ model, which allows multiple operators to use the same infrastructure.
Future Prospects
Dstelecom’s CEO, Ricardo Salgado, emphasized the company’s ambition to expand the services available on this infrastructure, including digital kiosks, electric chargers, and other resources that promote community engagement. The company aims to replicate its successful fiber-optic network model in the 5G space, accelerating its implementation in rural areas.
About Dstelecom
Founded in 2008, Dstelecom is a wholesale telecommunications company that built and operates the largest multi-operator fiber-optic network in Europe, particularly in areas with significant digital needs. This digital highway spans over 145 municipalities in Portugal, providing services to over 800,000 homes by the end of 2023.
Conclusion
The 5G.RURAL project represents a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in remote areas of Alentejo. With substantial investment and a strong consortium, the project aims to bring transformative 5G connectivity to thousands, enhancing various sectors and improving overall quality of life.
