COLOGNE, GERMANY

5G REVOLUTION IN COLOGNE WITH SMART POLE IN TIME FOR THE 2024 EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Long after hearts were broken and victories celebrated, Cologne residents are still benefiting from a high-performance mobile network, thanks to a collaborative project between us, telecommunications provider O2 Telefónica, infrastructure specialist 5G Synergiewerk, NetCologne, and energy provider RheinEnergie.

This project, designed to enhance the existing mobile network by providing additional capacity at specific urban points, was part of O2 Telefónica's broader initiative to deploy 5G streetlight masts across Germany, following successful installations in Frankfurt am Main and Würzburg.

The team installed the cutting-edge Connected Urban 5G smart pole near Cologne Cathedral and the central train station, in time for the 2024 European Football Championship. Positioned to serve one of the city's major fan zones on Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer, Connected Urban served as a lighting solution and enhanced the city's infrastructure, symbolising modern smart city innovation.

The smart pole can handle high bandwidth demands, offering seamless 5G and 4G/LTE connectivity. Matthias Sauder, Director of Mobile Access & Transport Networks at O2 Telefónica, highlighted the timely nature of this deployment, saying, "With the 5G streetlight mast, we provided an even better mobile network at Cologne Cathedral just in time for the European Football Championship, boosting network capacities significantly."

The deployment of the Connected Urban smart pole substantially enhanced mobile network performance, handling approximately 300 gigabytes of mobile data volume daily. This capability was particularly beneficial during the European Football Championship, as it supported high-bandwidth and low-latency applications vital for digital innovation and enhanced fan experience.

Ralf Gerbershagen, Managing Director of 5G Synergiewerk GmbH, commented, "We are proud of the new site in Cologne. At 19.3 meters high, we provided the most powerful 5G streetlight mast in Germany. This project exemplifies what can be achieved through collaboration."

The Connected Urban smart pole was not just a temporary solution for the championship but a permanent upgrade to Cologne's urban infrastructure. It will continue to provide high-performance mobile network coverage for residents and visitors during major events, like the annual Carnival, which attracts around 1.5 million visitors. Keith Henry, General Manager and Telecommunications Product Manager at CU Phosco Australia commented on the broader implications, stating, "We are proud to have played a role in this groundbreaking initiative, which offers a comprehensive solution to the growing demands in urban settings."

The CU Phosco Connected Urban smart pole is a modular, fully customisable solution that integrates high-performance lighting with advanced telecommunications capabilities within a compact footprint. This innovative, intelligent pole utilises existing infrastructure to efficiently deliver essential urban lighting and telecommunications services.