5G’s Pivotal Role in the Future of Smart Transport

How Europe’s technology solutions providers (TSPs) can drive the next wave of mobility innovation.

As urban landscapes across Europe become smarter and mobility solutions evolve, 5G technology is fast emerging as the key enabler for the next generation of connected, automated, and intelligent transport systems. According to Vodafone analysis, the benefits of 5G for the automotive and transport sectors in the EU could reach €50 billion in 2025. For TSPs, this shift brings not just new challenges but also immense opportunities to create value, shape infrastructures, and position themselves at the core of Europe’s mobility revolution.

Supercharging Mobility with 5G and Edge Computing

The foundation of tomorrow’s smart transport lies in the ability to share and process vast amounts of data in real-time – with reliability, ultra-low latency, and robust security. The arrival of 5G, especially when combined with edge computing, provides precisely these capabilities.

• Real-Time Data Exchange: 5G networks allow vehicles, cameras, sensors, road infrastructure, and the cloud to communicate instantly. This power underpins Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) applications, such as autonomous vehicles, cooperative driving, and accident prevention systems.
• Edge Computing Synergy: By processing data closer to the source – such as at roadside units or on vehicles themselves – edge computing minimises latency and bandwidth loads. This, in turn, enables mission-critical decisions (e.g., automatic crash avoidance) to be made both faster and more reliably, which is essential for both safety and efficiency.
  
  

Pilots and Flagship EU Initiatives

Europe is not just watching the mobility revolution unfold; it’s leading through investment and cross-border collaboration. Multiple EU-backed pilot projects are setting benchmarks for 5G deployment in transport:

• The 5G-CARMEN Project: Deploying 5G corridors from Bologna to Munich, this initiative demonstrates seamless handovers between countries and operators, a breakthrough for cross-border automated transport.
• 5G-ROUTES: Connecting the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas through Intelligent Transport Corridors, 5G-ROUTES tests high-speed train connectivity, road safety, and infotainment applications.
• 5G-MOBIX: Trialing 5G-based solutions for advanced vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) communication along key European corridors, supporting applications from traffic management to smart logistics.

These efforts are supported through EU programs such as Horizon Europe and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital initiative, with a focus on achieving continent-wide 5G coverage for critical transport and logistics infrastructures.

Action Steps for Driving Value in Smart Mobility

1. Proactive Network and Infrastructure Management
   MSPs can take ownership of end-to-end network management for complex, multi-vendor 5G and edge computing environments.

• • Actionable Step: Develop specialised 5G network operation centres (NOCs) focused on mobility, offering services such as predictive maintenance, continuous monitoring, network slicing optimisation, and rapid incident response.
  • Service Opportunity: Bundle 5G connectivity with intelligent edge gateways and managed security solutions for road operators or public transport companies.

2. 5G-Enabled Platform Integration
   Beyond managing connectivity, MSPs can act as integrators, bridging hardware, software, and data platforms to support comprehensive mobility solutions.

• • Actionable Step: Partner with vehicle OEMs, sensor manufacturers, and control center developers to provide turnkey platforms for V2X (vehicle-to-everything), CAM, and smart traffic management.
  • Service Opportunity: Offer “mobility-as-a-service” models, where TSPs deliver both hardware (e.g., sensors, cameras) and the underlying data processing, analytics, and cybersecurity as a monthly subscription.

3. Orchestrating Secure, Open Mobility Ecosystems
   Seamless mobility relies on interoperability and data sharing among diverse stakeholders, including cities, telecommunications companies, fleet operators, and automakers.

• • Actionable Step: Develop and maintain open APIs and middleware platforms that allow real-time, secure data exchange between transport infrastructure, vehicles, and cloud systems.
  • Service Opportunity: Run ecosystem orchestration services, acting as the neutral hub for data, connectivity, and multi-party SLA management.

Navigating Challenges

1. Protecting the Expanding Threat Surface

• Challenge:Increased connectivity creates more potential attack vectors and higher stakes for critical transport applications.

Actionable Response:

• • Implement proactive threat detection across all managed assets, utilising AI-driven monitoring and digital twins to simulate potential attacks before they occur.
  • Guide clients on compliance with EU cybersecurity regulations and industry-specific standards (e.g., ENISA, ETSI).
  • Offer “security-by-design” consulting, including zero-trust frameworks and managed patching services for roadside and onboard devices.

2. Interoperability: Making Cross-Border and Multi-Vendor Systems Work

• Challenge:Europe’s transport corridors require systems to interoperate smoothly, regardless of vendor or jurisdiction. 

Actionable Response:

• • Actively participate in European standards groups such as ETSI and 5GAA to stay ahead of interoperability protocols.
  • Deliver certification, conformance testing, and ongoing compatibility management as a core service for mobility clients.
  • Develop expertise in cross-border handover management and data privacy compliance unique to mobility.

3. Business Model Innovation: Transforming Service Delivery

• Challenge:Traditional TSP revenue from connectivity alone may plateau as commoditisation increases.

Actionable Response:

• • Shift to value-added services: sell SLAs not just for uptime, but for performance KPIs tied to transport outcomes (e.g., safety, congestion reduction).
  • Develop bundled offerings that include device management, analytics dashboards, and regulatory reporting support.
  • Pursue outcome-based and “pay-per-use” billing models aligned with emerging city mobility and logistics needs.

Real-World Next Steps for TSPs

• Engage in EU Pilot Projects: Early involvement in pioneering 5G mobility pilots (like 5G-CARMEN and 5G-MOBIX) provides credibility, exposes your team to cross-border technical issues, and builds relationships with future large-scale clients.
• Invest in Skills and Partnerships: Upskill in AI, cybersecurity, and edge computing. Build alliances with both traditional telecom vendors and vertical solution providers (e.g., smart traffic, logistics software).
• Create a Mobility Solutions Portfolio: Market industry-specific managed solutions (e.g., for city fleets, public transport, or supply chain managers) that highlight seamless 5G operation, 24/7 security, and regulatory compliance.

By taking these proactive steps, TSPs will not only support the rapid deployment of more intelligent, safer, and more sustainable mobility across Europe – but also capture their share of the multi-billion-euro smart transport market