The European initiative will launch in 2026, with the consortium led by dstelecom
5G.CONNECT – Connecting Underserved Regions for a Smarter, Sustainable and Safer Tomorrow is a European initiative aimed at strengthening digital connectivity in sparsely populated regions of northern Portugal, promoting territorial cohesion, technological innovation and sustainable development.
The project, which focuses on providing cutting-edge 5G coverage, integrates Gigabit Neutral Host infrastructure, standalone 5G networks and Mobile Edge Computing capabilities, strengthening the European connectivity ecosystem and contributing to the European targets set for 2030.
In addition to enhancing connectivity, 5G.CONNECT envisages the implementation of innovative use cases, organised into two cross-cutting and four vertical areas, namely climate action, civil protection, heritage and social action, in pioneering municipalities. These solutions aim to address specific challenges faced by local areas, promoting the creation of interconnected Smart Communities and the development of pilot projects with high potential for replication in other regions of Portugal and the European Union.
The consortium is led by dstelecom, which is responsible for the neutral, shared mobile connectivity infrastructure; its co-promoters include NOS, which is responsible for the 5G service and for coordinating use cases relating to sustainable mobility, nature conservation, fire detection and home care; and dstgroup, through its company innovationpoint, responsible for the coordination and implementation of use cases for advanced agriculture, smart energy communities and energy efficiency, art and culture, smart tourism, geotechnical asset management, and, across the board, the digital twin, as well as the innovation roadmap and business model; and Irradiare, responsible for the communication, dissemination and monitoring components, as well as the development of the GovTech use case.
This partnership is geared towards providing efficient, sustainable and economically viable digital infrastructure.
The Douro Intermunicipal Community plays a key role in the consortium as the public sector representative, ensuring the project aligns with the priorities and needs of the territories involved. APDL – the Port Authority of Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo – acts as an associate partner, given its strategic importance to the region and to the use cases to be developed.
Co-funded by the Connecting Europe Facility – CEF Digital, the project is aligned with the objectives of the European Union’s Digital Decade 2030, contributing to the expansion of rural broadband and the reduction of inequalities in access to advanced digital services.
5G.CONNECT will be implemented with four Intermunicipal Communities (CIMs) — Douro, Terras de Trás-os-Montes, Alto Tâmega e Barroso, and Tâmega e Sousa — covering predominantly rural areas, where next-generation connectivity is a critical factor for economic competitiveness, innovation and the quality of life of local populations.
Source: innews
