AT&T and Vodafone Expand IoT Connectivity Across U.S. and Europe

Image source: O2 Telefonica

Published on May 15, 2025

O2 Telefónica, in partnership with 5G Synergiewerk, has begun rolling out 5G-equipped smart streetlights across Germany’s 25 largest cities, starting in 2025. The project aims to enhance mobile coverage in high-traffic urban areas and event zones.

The smart poles combine LED lighting with small 5G antennas and fiber connections, offering faster and more reliable service where rooftop space is limited. Initial installations in Cologne, Frankfurt, and Würzburg proved successful during the 2024 European Football Championship. Additional deployments are planned for busy locations in Frankfurt, Cologne, Hanover, and Stuttgart.

The expansion will also target major events like Oktoberfest in Munich and Hamburg Dom, as well as tourist hotspots such as the North Sea and Lake Constance. By the end of 2025, 50 more 5G streetlights are expected to be operational.

The initiative follows O2 Telefónica’s 2023 launch of its 5G Standalone (SA) network in Germany, which utilizes 700 MHz, 1.8 GHz, and 3.6 GHz frequencies. The carrier aims to achieve full 5G SA coverage nationwide by the end of 2025.

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