Vodafone Spain and SEMI Secure €25.5 Million Contract to Provide 5G Coverage for High-Speed Train Routes

Vodafone Spain and SEMI Secure €25.5 Million Contract to Provide 5G Coverage for High-Speed Train Routes

(IN BRIEF) Vodafone Spain and SEMI have been awarded a €25.5 million contract by ADIF to provide reliable 5G coverage for high-speed train routes in Spain. The project, part of the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, aims to enhance connectivity and support the country’s shift towards a sustainable and low-carbon economy. The collaboration involves designing, constructing, and maintaining 5G infrastructure along the routes. Vodafone Spain will implement the 5G network using Ericsson technology. This initiative will create a modern and environmentally friendly railway system and contribute to the digital transformation of the transportation sector.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERKSHIRE, 30-Jun-2023 — /EuropaWire/ —  Vodafone (LON: VOD), a British multinational leader in technology communications, announces that Vodafone Spain and SEMI, a Spanish industrial group, have jointly won a €25.5 million contract from ADIF, Spain’s public company for railways, to enhance the high-speed train routes from Albacete to Alicante and Barcelona to Figueras with reliable 5G coverage. This project is part of the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), aimed at supporting countries in their economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitating digital and green transitions.

Spain’s investment plan, backed by the RRF, focuses on accelerating the shift towards a sustainable and low-carbon economy while leveraging digital transformation. The objective is to enhance connectivity, improve the labor market, foster innovation, and ensure efficient and sustainable public spending.

ADIF, the recipient of RRF funding, aims to establish a smart railway system that aligns with the current competitive and sustainable technological landscape. The contract secured by Vodafone Spain and SEMI will assist ADIF in creating an inclusive infrastructure, incorporating cutting-edge technology such as 5G, and prioritizing cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.

Julia Velasco, Director of Network for Vodafone Spain and Core & Services for Europe at Vodafone Group, said, “The deployment of our 5G network in Spain’s high-speed infrastructures is another step in our strategy to digitise the regions in which we operate. Our technology will facilitate advanced logistics services and more efficient freight and passenger traffic management, favouring the ecological transition towards more sustainable transport.”

The collaboration involves designing, constructing, installing, and maintaining 5G infrastructure along the high-speed routes, utilizing 700 and 800 MHz frequencies. SEMI will handle the engineering and construction aspects, while Vodafone Spain will implement the 5G network using Ericsson technology.

As a leading player in 5G technology, Vodafone is committed to revolutionizing the railway sector to enhance safety, efficiency, and affordability. Their track record includes the use of self-driving trains and network slicing technology on a route in Hamburg, Germany. By leveraging 5G, Vodafone aims to improve rail travel, contribute to sustainability goals, and create a digital society that is inclusive and sustainable.

5G technology is poised to transform mobile networks, providing seamless and high-performance connectivity for smartphones and smart devices, eliminating lags and enabling fast downloads while on the move. It also paves the way for the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), connecting millions of devices through a single, high-speed network.

Vodafone’s extensive 5G network, constantly improving coverage and services, positions them as a global frontrunner in 5G technology. They believe that 5G will power the digital future and contribute to the development of inclusive and sustainable digital societies worldwide.

Media contacts:

GroupMedia@vodafone.com

SOURCE: VODAFONE