The European Commission has awarded funding to 12 projects, totalling EUR 106 million, following the fourth call for proposals under the Connecting Europe Facility - Digital (CEF Digital) programme.

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These projects will pilot large-scale 5G systems, enhancing Europe's connectivity by deploying advanced digital services with standalone 5G systems and edge-cloud capabilities. Find out more about the CEF Digital.

Edge-cloud technology brings computing closer to the source of data, allowing for faster processing, reduced latency, and better utilisation of bandwidth. These features are essential for real-time services and applications like connected and autonomous vehicles, smart industry, and the Internet of Things.

The projects are divided into two key areas:

• 5G Corridors (6 projects, EU contribution: EUR 53 million): These initiatives will deploy 5G infrastructure in cross-border areas, supporting transport on roads, railways, waterways, and multimodal corridors along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). They aim to launch 5G-enabled services, such as connected and automated mobility (CAM), the future railway mobile communication system (FRMCS), and advanced services for road users and train passengers.
• 5G for Smart Communities (6 projects, EU contribution: EUR 53 million): These projects will facilitate new use cases in various sectors. Collaborations between operators, including local and alternative, and project consortia will test connected computing network systems, explore new business models, and find ways to create value with 5G standalone connectivity.

With these investments, total funding under the first CEF Digital Work Programme reaches EUR 327 million, supporting 78 5G projects. This contributes to the Digital Decade target of ensuring full 5G coverage in all populated areas by 2030.

Details of the newly funded projects

5G coverage along transport corridors

5G HSL Eurolink Work

This project will install 5G infrastructure along the cross-border rail section between Paris and Brussels to create a new mobile communication system for Europe's railways. This will improve passenger connectivity and digital rail operations.

• Coordinator: SNCF RESEAU
• EU Contribution: € 21 147 500

WAVEO

The WAVEO project will set up 5G services along the TEN-T Orient East/Med Corridor, between Romania and Bulgaria. It aims to provide quality communication for connected vehicles and 5G end users. The project plans to provide 5G standalone coverage along 310 km of peri-urban and rural area in Romania and along 10 km of rural area in Bulgaria.

• Coordinator: WINGS ICT SOLUTIONS TECHNOLOGIES PLIROFORIKIS KAIEPIKOINONION ANONYMI ETAIREIA
• EU Contribution: € 6 384 148

5G-BEAM

This project ensures uninterrupted 5G coverage along the 424 km Brenner corridor from Italy to Austria, connecting Modena to Kufstein. It will set up a 5G standalone network with edge computing capabilities on the Italian side, and 5G-ready passive infrastructure on the Austrian side.

• Coordinator: SOCIETA PER AZIONI AUTOSTRADA DEL BRENNERO
• EU Contribution: € 8 699 585

5G EMCIE

This project will expand Ireland's 5G corridors to include key industrial areas, connecting Dundalk with Rosslare Harbour, with maritime connections with other Member States, to support modern transport options.

• Coordinator: Vantage Towers
• EU Contribution: € 3 539 820.50

Multimodal-5G

This project will transform transport and logistics, road, rail and costal maritime connections by installing 5G infrastructure along the GR-BG Corridor, connecting Greece and Bulgaria. It introduces smart transport solutions to optimise passenger experience and infrastructure monitoring, while ensuring enhanced safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

• Coordinator: WINGS ICT SOLUTIONS TECHNOLOGIES PLIROFORIKIS KAI EPIKOINONION ANONYMI ETAIREIA
• EU Contribution: € 10 137 584

5GACE

The 5G ACE project will install and test 5G standalone technologies along key sections of the TEN-T Rhine-Danube corridor, particularly at the Slovak-Czech border, to support mobility and rail communication systems.

• Coordinator: TELIA SVERIGE AB
• EU Contribution: € 3 354 750

5G for Smart Communities

5G.CONNECT

This initiative extends high-speed 5G services to rural Northern Portugal, improving broadband through cooperation between mobile network operators and infrastructure providers. The project will deliver 5G standalone capabilities and mobile edge computing functionalities.

• Sectors: Public Services, Healthcare
• Coordinator: DSTELECOM
• EU Contribution: € 7 831 614

5G-BRIDGE

This project will bring advanced 5G technology to underserved areas in Greece, including remote villages and islands. It will improve education with digital tools, enhance healthcare with 5G-enabled drone delivery and remote patient monitoring, transform public safety with AI monitoring systems and advanced fire detection, and promote sustainability and digital inclusion in remote areas.

• Sectors: Healthcare, Education/Research, Environmental Monitoring
• Coordinator: Wings
• EU Contribution: € 6 941 625

5mart Ho5pital

This project will install a 5G network in the University Hospital Centre of Bordeaux, featuring AI-ready technologies to support various healthcare applications, including those that require advanced data processing.

• Sector: Healthcare
• Coordinator: BOUYGUES TELECOM SA
• EU Contribution: € 11 324 145

NextGen 5G Airports

Three Croatian airports (Zagreb, Pula, and Zadar) will receive a private 5G network to improve public services, including security, virtual reality for maintenance/education, digital work processes and optimised cargo handling.

• Sectors: Transport/Logistics, Education/Research
• Coordinator: HRVATSKI TELEKOM DD
• EU Contribution: € 3 099 008.25

5G Share

Universities in four European countries (Ireland, Romania, Czech Republic and Italy) will benefit from interconnected advanced 5G standalone mobile private networks to improve educational and research collaboration through secure cross-border data exchange and real-time applications.

• Sectors: Education/Research
• Coordinator: ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
• EU Contribution: € 12 281 625

5G SESAMO

This Italian project aims to speed up the use of 5G infrastructure for mobility, healthcare, logistics, and emergency services. It highlights practical 5G applications for industry and urban areas.

• Sectors: Healthcare, Education/Research, Mobility, Logistics, Emergency Response
• Coordinator: MOST - Centro Nazionale per la Mobilità Sostenibile
• EU Contribution: € 11 707 500

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