NEXTONIC: Marking its 10th anniversary, the 5TONIC laboratory embarks on a new phase to lead the development of 6G

The 5G open innovation laboratory founded by Telefónica and IMDEA Networks begins a new phase under the name NEXTONIC, with the aim of reflecting the transversal evolution of networks, beyond the succession of technological generations

21 October 2025

The 5TONIC laboratory, founded in 2015 by Telefónica and IMDEA Networks as the first open innovation space for 5G, today celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Espacio Fundación Telefónica. The event brought together authorities, laboratory members, and representatives from industry, research, and academia to reflect on a decade of innovation and look ahead to the future of networks.

Within this framework, the laboratory announced the launch of a new chapter under the name NEXTONIC, with the slogan “Where Networks Evolve.” With this new identity, the center will focus on the cross-cutting evolution of networks beyond technological generations and position itself as a key player in defining and validating the technologies that will shape the communications of the future, with special emphasis on 6G.

Over the past ten years, 5TONIC has served as an international co-creation environment where the main technological components of 5G have been tested and validated, contributing to the development of standards, driving joint projects with industry, and fostering an open innovation ecosystem that brings together companies, researchers, and academia. Its work has had a decisive impact on the maturation of 5G and the preparation of future network generations.

Since its foundation, 5TONIC has been a catalyst for 5G innovation, participating in more than 30 national and European research projects and working closely with over 50 companies. Milestones such as the development of immersive virtual tourism applications, the implementation of network slicing solutions to customize network services, and its active contribution to major European and national projects on 5G and the early stages of 6G have established it as a benchmark in the field.

In 2020, 5TONIC carried out the pioneering deployment of one of the first 5G Standalone (SA) networks in Spain, a key architecture for the development of critical applications and one that has been used to advance various use cases. One notable example took place at the Movistar Arena in March 2025, where 5G SA technology with millimeter waves was tested in a real-world environment. The trial explored three use cases—security, emergency coordination, and immersive entertainment—while also providing insights into the types of connectivity offers and solutions that will be needed in the medium term.

5TONIC has not limited its activity to the field of mobile communications; its participation in projects such as MadQuantum-CM, aimed at validating control technologies for quantum networks, reflects its commitment to innovation and its pioneering role in exploring technological areas beyond the mobile ecosystem. Its designation as a Digital Innovation Hub by the European Commission further underscores this pioneering and strategic role in driving digital transformation in the region.

New era

In its new phase, NEXTONIC aims to define the networks of the future by leading the development of 6G, fostering global industrial and academic collaboration, and exploring new use cases. To achieve this, NEXTONIC focuses on promoting a continuous and incremental evolution of networks, avoiding abrupt technological leaps and leveraging the full experience gained with 5G. The goal is to enable a smoother and simpler transition, with support for ongoing updates and driven by real applications, market needs, and clear business models. Sustainability will be a key principle from the design stage, with energy efficiency, low environmental impact, and operational optimization integrated from the outset into networks and their technologies. The laboratory will also work on the evolution of open and disaggregated architectures, incorporating native automation and exposing capabilities through APIs.

NEXTONIC will lay the foundation for networks to evolve beyond connectivity into a true “operating system for the real world,” capable of orchestrating and optimizing the digital services that will transform sectors such as healthcare, mobility, logistics, and smart cities.

“NEXTONIC is reborn with the ambition of establishing itself as a global benchmark in network innovation. Our goal is to preserve the pioneering spirit of 5TONIC and project it toward the challenges brought by 6G and emerging technologies. From the laboratory, we will drive a continuous and incremental evolution of networks, capitalizing on all the experience gained with 5G,” said Cayetano Carbajo, President of 5TONIC and Global Director of Core, Transport, Innovation, and Ecosystem at Telefónica.

“The laboratory has served as a bridge between research and the market. In this new phase, NEXTONIC will continue to promote open collaboration to define the future of networks beyond 5G,” said Carlos Bernardos, Vice President of 5TONIC, Professor at UC3M and part-time research professor at IMDEA Networks

5TONIC 10th Anniversary Event

The 10th anniversary event of the laboratory explored the evolution of networks toward 2035, reviewed the main milestones achieved over the past decade, and analyzed the global impact of 5G. In addition, a roundtable featuring experts from Telefónica, Ericsson, UC3M, IMDEA Networks, Capgemini, and ABB highlighted the value of open collaboration and the future role of 5TONIC—to be renamed NEXTONIC—in the development of new technologies.

The event concluded with a heartfelt recognition of outstanding researchers and collaborators: Arturo Azcorra, co-founder and vice president of the lab between 2015 and April 2021, one of the main architects of its creation and launch; David del Val, president of 5TONIC between 2015 and 2021, defined the essence of the lab as a space for co-creation and cooperation between industry and academia; Juan Carlos García, president of 5TONIC between 2021 and 2024, a key driving force in the lab’s expansion into new technological fields; and Neftalí González, the lab’s daily technical support. The event closed with unanimous and sincere tribute to all the researchers and professionals from member and collaborating organizations who contributed to this remarkable journey.