Vodafone has launched a 5G mobile private network (MPN) at Temelín Nuclear Power Plant in Czechia – the first of its kind in Europe – for the power generation conglomerate ?EZ Group.

As part of a pilot phase, Vodafone’s 5G MPN covers the power plant’s outdoor space, as well as selected areas of a production unit. The new 5G connectivity will enable a transition away from walkie-talkie communications in the plant, and pave the way for augmented reality glasses to support the work of technicians.

The results of the pilot project, and subsequent evaluation conducted by ?EZ, will inform the deployments of 5G MPNs at further sites.

5G MPNs gain momentum Vodafone’s 5G MPN deployment at Temelín follows a project with Škoda Auto at one of the country’s largest car production plants, launched in 2022. The network’s ultra-fast speeds – reaching up to 1 Gbps – and low latency facilitates automated car parking, as well as better communication between Škoda’s robots, machines and sensors.

Across Europe, Vodafone has also launched MPNs in Germany with chemicals company BASF, in Italy with energy company SNAM, and in Ireland for the national rugby team.