- A 5G standalone network let me drive a car in Espoo, Finland, remotely
- The demo is just one of the examples on the showfloor of what capabilities a 5G standalone network can provide
- I didn't crash the car but it was tricky to drive
MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS, BARCELONA – At the GSMA Pavilion in Barcelona, a demo showcased the power of 5G standalone (SA) network technology and open APIs through a remote-controlled car experience. The setup highlighted the 5G SA network's ability to dynamically adjust video quality and enable long-distance vehicle control and is part of GSMA's strategic partnerships to drive innovation and connectivity in the automotive and aviation, which was announced today.
Due to the programmability of 5G networks, I was able to drive a car located in Finland from the show floor in Barcelona. One of the demo's key features was the ability to instantly request and modify network service quality, ensuring optimal video resolution during remote driving.
"What we're demonstrating is the capability of network is code to connect to, to connect to, basically to the rig here, and on the fly, shoot an API request to get high quality service on demand and provide you with this high quality service," Liron Golan, director of portfolio marketing for Nokia, told me before I took to the wheel and drove around the snowy parking lot in Espoo.
Golan noted that another proof of concept for the tech is remote piloting cargo ships into ports.
Together GSMA and Nokia showcased these technologies to illustrate the practical applications of advanced 5G network capabilities, showcasing how network slicing and on-demand service quality can transform remote operation technologies across various industries.
While it wasn't The Fast and the Furious (I didn't go over 5 miles per hour or even touch the gas pedal, actually), it was a lesson in the potential of 5G SA. The challenge? Only 61 of 326 5G networks in the world are 5G SA, Barbara Pareglio, GSMA’s Senior Technical Director and GSMA’s Smart Mobility Lead, told Fierce Network ahead of the demo.
Stay up to date on all the news from Mobile World Congress with Fierce Network and FNTV.