5TONIC consolidates its leadership in research and innovation in 2024

Highlighting the milestones achieved by the laboratory founded by Telefónica and IMDEA Networks

23 December 2024

5TONIC, the open research and innovation laboratory in 5G and 6G technologies founded by Telefónica and IMDEA Networks, has achieved several significant milestones in 2024, reinforcing its position as a benchmark in the development of advanced communication technologies.

One of the most notable events was the appointment of Cayetano Carbajo as President of 5TONIC in July 2024. He brings extensive experience in the telecommunications sector, having held various positions, including CTO at Telefónica Germany, CTO at Telefónica Móviles México, and Director of Corporate Technology at Telefónica. Currently, he serves as Director of Core, Transport, and Platforms within Telefónica’s Global CTIO unit, leading the company’s network transformation efforts.

In February 2024, 5TONIC hosted members of Spain’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, including the Secretary General of Telecommunications and Audiovisual Communication Services. During this visit, the laboratory showcased a digital twin demonstration with integrated sensing and robotic control capabilities via 5G, highlighting the importance of a collaborative environment between industry and academia in the development of 5G and 6G technologies.

In May 2024, 5TONIC announced its involvement in key projects under the European SNS JU program, such as DESIRE 6G, Predict 6G, TrialsNet, and 6G XR. Additionally, it participates in initiatives under Spain’s UNICO I+D program, including 6G-DATADRIVEN and 6G-EDGEDT. These collaborations aim to universalize access to ultra-fast broadband and extend 5G coverage, supported by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility – NextGenerationEU.

The field of energy efficiency in vertical applications has also been another area of research focus. Within the framework of the 6G DAWN project coordinated by CTTC—a research project funded by Spain’s Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan through the UNICO I+D 5G program—Ericsson and Telcaria have jointly investigated novel mechanisms to evaluate, recommend, and implement alternative configurations for Advanced Private 5G Networks to enhance energy efficiency metrics.

Most recently, in December 2024, 5TONIC signed collaboration agreements with WINGS ICT Solutions and E-Lighthouse Network Solutions (ELIG) to support projects awarded under the second open call of the European 6G-XR project. These collaborations focus on the deployment and validation of enablers related to load balancing and mechanisms for security and trust within 6G ecosystems.

These achievements underscore 5TONIC’s commitment to cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, consolidating its capability to host all the technological components necessary to demonstrate the opportunities that 5G and 6G technologies offer across various vertical industries.