During Mobile World Congress the organisers of the NL pavilion (ES) and UlWiMo organised an
excursion to pass by some relevant players in the private 5G domain and gain some latest insights on
the development in private 5G. Below some impressions from the organiser.
1. AWS
At AWS we attended 2 demos. Below a subset of the group of NL specialists attending at AWS: One demo was about the use of AI in network management; where AI serves to diagnose and remedy network issues in a 5G – or other – network. AI proposes the likelihood of a cause and the likelihoods of a remedy for a fault; yet leaves the actual execution still to an operator. For the management of the RU’s of a (private) 5G network AWS proposes as part of its ‘bare metal’ portfolio an ‘Outpost Server’ that manages the RU according to a given set of KPI’s. This allows the operator of the network to execute a QoS over the network.
2. NTT data
At NTT we attended two demo’s. With a robot NTT demonstrates the surveillance of IoT and plant performance in production and utilities . The robot is taught where there are sensors and gauges to read and then periodically visits and – literally – reads them with its camera. It does not transfer and image though, it transfers selected data from the camera reading. For the control of plant performance NTT uses a router that is capable of reading existing incumbent protocols like Modbus or ProfiNet on the one end; and communicates that data over a mix of wifi, 4G, 5G to a control network. The router (photo, on the left with 4 antenna’s (MiMo) ) was remarkably simple and affordable yet robust. The crux in deployment lies in not forcing the customer to abstain from his existing and trusted Scada and IoT devices and protocols but incorporating them.
3. GSMA
Remarkable: even thought the GSMA often argues with severe reservation against the ‘setting aside’ of spectrum for private networks; this year GSMA actively advocated private networks !: – In a panel session in its theatre on the monday (about maritime connectivity) – On their booth with p5G demo’s. We attended 3 demo’s There was a demo by KPN on the automated factory using 5G. There also was a pod from Nokia displaying its port automation projects such as the ones in Finland. Airbus and Atlas Copco held a joint demo on connected toolling. A handheld screw driver, rivet or wrench is connected over 5G and communicates its torque, drive pattern etc in order to assess the quality of a joint on an Airbus and autonomously indicates on a screen which ones or off spec or suspect. This in turn allows a manufacturer to more cost effectively control 100.000’s of joints (photo)
4. Airspan
At Airspan we scanned their latest RAN portfolio and their references in – amongst others – mainports. Abel Mayal gave an explanation of maximum width of a radio’s radiated bandwidth and amount of spectrum one can use within that range (OBW IBW for the insider). This becomes a topic as more regulators allocate ‘funny’ spectrum for P5G; such as in Holland Also Airspan demo’d its network in a box (photo); a rapid deployment kit for stand-alone or temporary usages. (Note: multiple suppliers have these kits at a few 10K euro’s; all illustrating the affordability of p5G. KM)
5. Huawei
This booth is not a booth anymore but a complete village. Here our group convened with the ‘’public’ excursion group to form a large NL delegation (photo). Huawei offered us lunch which was a happening in its own right (insert). Huawei demo’d the smart factory of the future where a customised product was made and delivered on prem through 5G. It also demo’d its activities in battery technology.
6. Druid
Druid supplies core software for 4 and 5 G networks, which interworks with 3rd party RAN (such as that of Airspan or Nokia). David o’Byrne presented upon our request their progress in notably ports of which there are many references across the globe. They advocate simplification on the supply chain and eco system in order to reach larger markets and notably SME’s (photo). Druid will actively sponsor the ‘PRIMMA’ programme1 on market development for p5G in mainports.
7. Want to join the PRIMMA Knowledge Mission to MWC 26?
Want to learn about the latest innovations in private networks and wireless networks space? Getting access to exclusive content? Join peers? Learn while also having the pleasure to discover Barcelona together? Join us in march 2026 to MWC as part of the knowledge mission. Contact info@primma.org to discover your options!