The Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies signed a memorandum of cooperation with Ericsson Slovakia. Part of the memorandum is an agreement on construction and operation physical laboratory of 5G technologies and research in the field of mobile networks of future generations, while the basis of this laboratory will be technology from Ericsson. The laboratory is to serve as testbed for research and development of prototypes of various innovative applications based on advanced possibilities of 5G networks and other upcoming generations.
“In the coming years, we will witness the deployment of the so-called standalone 5G networks that will bring new ones possibilities in the area of guaranteeing service quality or operating private mobile networks for large customers. These possibilities will gradually find use in industry, transport or various critical systems from the point of view of security. Increasing safety in the environment connected transport is also directly addressed by our laboratory”, said Marek Galinski, head of the laboratory in which the 5G network is being created at FIIT STU.
Of the hardware equipment for the laboratory, Ericsson donated a baseband module, two radios (dual-band and C-band), antenna and necessary power sources and cabling. Ericsson experts will be available to the researchers from FIIT STU for reviving and configuring the network, at the same time they will be available to provide consultation and support. The faculty has prepared the infrastructure for operation of the network core as well as other supporting activities.
Dean of FIIT STU prof. Ivan Kotuliak at the signing of the memorandum reminded that “Faculty of Informatics and of information technology STU is based on the fact that its researchers as well as students involved in research activities have access to the most modern technologies that move the technological world. Therefore, we are very happy that this cooperation with Ericsson is not just a statement on paper, but it has real dimensions in the form of a physical laboratory, in the preparation of which experts from Ericsson.”
Regarding the memorandum, the company Ericsson Slovakia commented as follows: “Signing of the memorandum represents an important milestone in our cooperation with the faculty on the development of 5G technologies. We see it as a long-term partnership that goes beyond building a joint laboratory. Our goal is to contribute to educate students, support the research community and help create a strong and sustainable telecommunication ecosystem in the region. We believe that this collaboration has the potential to bring significant results results and innovations in the field of digital society development.”