The German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has reserved the frequency range between 3.7 and 3.8 GHz for the construction of ‘5G campus networks’. Companies can apply for 10 MHz from this range, or more in justified cases, to control their production. However, these frequencies may not be used for telecommunications. If their application to the BNetzA is successful – details on how to apply will be published in the second half of 2019 – Lower Saxony-based companies can apply for state funding . NBank will handle the allocation of funding.

No 5G devices are currently available for industrial use; first models are expected to come onto the market in 2022. Until then, companies will be able to set up 4G networks on their premises, and subsequently update these to 5G by replacing the relevant transmission parts. One of the first 5G campus networks is scheduled to be set up on the HANNOVER MESSE site by summer 2020. Exhibitors should be able to leverage the network to demonstrate their 5G applications, and companies should also be able to use it for 5G field testing.