France and Germany are collaborating to create a cross-border 5G corridor, marking a significant step in digital infrastructure. This ambitious project, named “5G Autobahn to Autoroute” or 5G A2A, aims to connect Metz in France with Saarbrücken in Germany. A consortium of organizations including Vantage Towers, TOTEM, Orange, O2 Telefónica, and Saarland University of Applied Sciences is spearheading this initiative.
The project’s design ensures it will function effectively for at least a decade. This corridor spans 60 kilometers, featuring a 55km stretch in France and a 5km section in Germany. Construction is set to start in early 2025, with completion targeted for late 2027. On the French side, TOTEM and Orange will install nine new masts and upgrade eight existing ones. They will utilize the 3.5GHz spectrum to enable 5G connectivity. Meanwhile, in Germany, Vantage Towers and O2 Telefónica plan to set up as many as five masts. These masts will feature distributed antenna systems (DAS) operating on the 3.6 GHz frequency.
This cross-border corridor provides more than reliable 5G coverage. It aims to enhance advanced mobility services like lane-changing assistance, collision prevention, and real-time traffic updates. Additionally, it presents a testing ground for autonomous vehicle technology and improves connectivity for cross-border travelers.
Funding is secured through the EU’s “Connecting Europe Facility Digital” program, alongside contributions from France’s Grand Est region. Christian Hillabrant, CEO of Vantage Towers, emphasizes the project’s transformative impact: “With the establishment of the Franco-German mobile communications corridor, we are advancing digital transformation in Europe. We are creating infrastructure that enables uninterrupted cross-border connectivity and, in the future, the use of advanced mobility applications such as autonomous driving functions – setting new standards for digital connectivity.”
