Telefonica Germany (O2 Telefonica), Vantage Towers, Orange and its tower company Totem, and the Saarland University of Applied Sciences (htw saar) are collaborating to create what they call “one of Europe’s first cross-border 5G highway corridors.” The four companies are joining forces to set up a cross-border 5G network alongside the highway connecting the French city of Metz with Saarbruecken in Germany.
This project, named “5G Autobahn to Autoroute” (5G A2A), will connect the cities of Metz in France to Saarbrucken in Germany, covering a 60-kilometer stretch. Construction will begin in early 2025 with completion scheduled for the end of 2027, Orange said in a joint statement on January 15, 2025.
Infrastructure and Deployment Plans
According to the official release, the corridor will feature a 55 km section in France along the A4 and A320 motorways and a 5 km stretch in Germany on the A6. Integrated into the ATLANTIC trans-European transport network, the infrastructure will provide uninterrupted 5G coverage, benefiting both cross-border travellers and industrial trials along the route.
The project partners include Vantage Towers, TOTEM, Orange, O2 Telefonica, and the Saarland University of Applied Sciences (htw saar). TOTEM and Orange will deploy new masts and upgrade existing infrastructure in France, while Vantage Towers and O2 Telefonica will deploy additional infrastructure in Germany.
In Germany, Vantage Towers and O2 Telefonica will deploy up to five radio masts using a distributed antenna system (DAS) on the 3.6 GHz frequency.
The 5G A2A project is supported by the European Union’s “Connecting Europe Facility Digital” program and the Grand Est Region of France. The infrastructure is expected to operate for at least 10 years, showcasing a long-term, sustainable commitment to digital connectivity and connected mobility across borders.
Chief Technology and Enterprise Officer of O2 Telefonica: “We are building a high-speed 5G highway to test how to provide consumers and companies with gigabit speeds in the best possible way while driving. This can be a major step towards making connected driving a reality in Germany. We are looking forward to be partnering with the automotive and logistics industries to implement and test digital networking solutions of the future based on our high-performance 5G network. The project is a prime example of how digitalization in Europe must not stop at borders.”
Director Orange Grand Est Region, Eastern France: “This pioneering project will make this cross-border route the first in Europe to enable the use of connected vehicles and equipment. In future, users of this route will benefit from driver assistance services to enhance their comfort and safety in their connected vehicles.”
CEO of TOTEM added: “This project is a great proof of cooperation between towercos and mobile operators to provide latest-generation 5G mobile network between Metz and Saarbrucken. This project relies on each actor’s cutting-edge industrial expertise, dedicated to providing better connectivity for all along the way. With this project, TOTEM demonstrates its teams’ ability to deploy bespoke and specific infrastructure solutions in a cross-border environment.”
CEO of Vantage Towers said, “With the establishment of the Franco-German mobile communications corridor, we are advancing digital transformation in Europe. Together with our project partners Telefonica, Orange, TOTEM and htw saar, we are creating infrastructure that enables uninterrupted cross-border connectivity and, in the future, the use of advanced mobility applications such as autonomous driving functions – setting new standards for digital connectivity.”
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