Deutsche Telekom Flags Further 5G Tests in 2019

Deutsche Telekom (DT) signaled plans to expand its 5G test locations in 2019, although Berlin is clearly set to remain the focal point in the early stages of the German carrier’s 5G rollout strategy. A new 5G test site will be established in Darmstadt near Frankfurt am Main in the first quarter of the year with more locations to follow in the coming months. DT already operates a 5G testbed in Hamburg in conjunction with Nokia and the Port of Hamburg that is testing the use of 5G technology in an industrial environment. The German capital has been given prominence in terms of 5G developments, however: DT and Huawei deployed six 5G antennas in Berlin in early 2018 following the launch of a 5G test network in 2017. As things stand, DT says more than 50 antennas have been integrated with the live network and described them as the “cornerstone for a commercial 5G network in Germany.” The equipment is based on the 3GPP non-standalone 5G New Radio (NR) specification.