This economic sector is thus in first place in the Federal Republic, not including the classic mobile communications business. No wonder: With smart grids, smart metering and smart homes, several potential future technologies are being implemented here. According to Ericsson, the findings of the 5G for Germany long-term study clarify the impact of emerging mobile communications and network technology on the energy and utilities sector. "In addition to intelligent energy management (2.7 billion euros), the use of smart grids is the most important case of application analyzed, and it alone accounts for 9.7 billion euros," states Ericsson.

Together with the distribution network operator Stromnetz Berlin and Deutsche Telekom , Ericsson has already studied applications for the new 5G technology in the power grid in Berlin-Adlershof based on the 5Grid project. Both a solar plant and a refrigerating machine were connected and integrated into one of the telecommunications provider’s IoT platforms. The measurements of the smart grid elements were collected and processed on the spot.