In a statement announcing its launch of four field trials
for 5G, the company was quoted as saying: "The availability of
this frequency is crucial for a successful test of 5G
applications and the introduction of 5G in the Netherlands. KPN
is actively trying to contribute to a suitable solution for
this problem."
As for the field trials themselves, they will carried out
during the course of 2018 on a variety of different use
cases.
"Where 4G connects people, 5G will connect the whole
society," said Jacob Groote, director of product management
business market at KPN. It is therefore very important that we,
together with customers and technology partners, investigate
how 5G can optimize business processes and improve the customer
experience. We will also investigate how we can use this new
network technology in combination with developments such as
artificial intelligence, drones and virtual reality for a wide
range of smart applications."
In the area of urban connectivity KPN will partner with the
municipality of Amsterdam, the Amsterdam ArenA and network
supplier Nokia, to test various 5G applications. The tests will
use massive MIMO antenna technologies to handle the extreme
capacity requirements of busy locations.
Commenting on the partnership Alderman Udo Kock, head of
innovation at the City of Amsterdam, said: "With the help of 5G
technology, Amsterdam can develop crowd-management and an
improved fan experience for the ArenA and the surrounding area,
making a visit to the stadium for all guests. In addition,
thanks to 5G, all kinds of applications in the field of
artificial intelligence and virtual reality in Amsterdam
Zuidoost can be developed, which will increase the supply for
residents and visitors."
Adding to his comments, Henk van Raan, chief innovation
Officer of the ArenA, said: "We are pleased with this
development. It brings our ambitions to give visitors of the
stadium an incredible experience a step closer. With EURO2020
as a city of play, we want to guide visitors to and from the
stadium in the right direction through innovations and minimize
the pressure on the city and its facilities. It is also a
logical step and a condition for the development of the
Amsterdam Zuidoost area."
In the agricultural space, KPN is working with Wageningen
University and network supplier ZTE, to precision agriculture
using drones connected to the mobile network. The tests will be
carried out at a farm in Valthermond and KPN will also
experiment in Drenthe using mobile communication based on
millimetre waves.
"In Valthermond, techniques are developed that are
translated into agricultural practice. Together with our
partners, we have a unique mix of business, government and
education. With 5G we now add a unique element to this and
farmers can analyse and respond to real-time data," added Henk
Jumelet, CDA, in the province of Drenthe.
KPN is partnering with Chinese vendor Huawei, on its
transport and logistics trials in Rotterdam. KPN will explore
network slicing for business-critical applications it also
wants to investigate virtual reality for industrial
applications.
And in the automotive space, KPN will test the latest
technologies in mobile networks for automotive purposes, as
part of its European project called Concorda. Tests are to
include things like short response times that require ultra-
low latency and that enable cars to communicate in real-time
with other cars or with things like traffic lights and matrix
signs.