5G Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership

What 5G Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership does

5G Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership (5G PPP) is a joint research initiative between the European Commission and the European ICT industry, established in 2012 and formally launched in 2015 under the EU Horizon 2020 programme. It coordinates 93 research projects across three phases (specification, development, and experimentation/pilots), with Phase 3 subdivided into Infrastructure, Automotive, Vertical Trials, LTE Evolution, Core/CAM, and 5G Innovations sub-categories. The partnership is governed bilaterally: the European Commission represents the public side, while the 5G Infrastructure Association (5G-IA, now 6G-IA) represents the private side, serving as the unified voice of European industry and research for next-generation networks. The initiative delivers solutions, architectures, technologies, and standards targeting targets such as 1000x higher wireless area capacity, 90% energy savings per service, and reduction of service creation time from 90 hours to 90 minutes.

Its core technology spans 5G and 6G communication network research, covering radio access, core networks, edge computing, SDN/NFV architectures, and network application platforms. The partnership operates specialized working groups and platforms including the Verticals Cartography, Standards Tracker, Brokerage Platform, and IMT-2020 Evaluation Group. It maintains a global cooperation framework through the Global 5G Events MoU with partner organizations from Brazil, China, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and the US. The 5G PPP has formally transitioned to the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) for the 6G era, with transitional support via the 6GStart project (May 2022 to September 2024).

Its business model is a publicly funded research consortium rather than a commercial enterprise. 5G PPP has no commercial products or pricing structures; it is funded through EU Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe grants, with the SNS JU deploying EUR 250M in its first portfolio (October 2022) and EUR 130M in its second call (October 2023). Revenue flows to the 5G-IA itself come from member contributions and EU programme support. Its served "customers" are European vertical industries (smart cities, e-health, intelligent transport, education, entertainment/media), the European ICT industry (operators, manufacturers, SMEs), and research institutions that participate in collaborative projects and standards development.

Name

5G Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership

Legal name

5G Infrastructure Association

Website

https://5g-ppp.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

5G PPP is a joint EU-European ICT industry research partnership coordinating 93 projects across 5G/6G network development, serving European operators, manufacturers, SMEs, and vertical industries through publicly funded collaborative research and standards development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Petite Flandre

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The 5G PPP is a joint European Commission and ICT-industry research initiative that coordinates 93 collaborative R&D projects across three phases (specification, development, and experimentation/pilots) to deliver solutions, architectures, technologies, and standards for next-generation mobile communication networks. Its outputs include funded research projects, technical white papers, the European 5G Annual Journal, an Annual Progress Monitoring report series, the Verticals Cartography resource, and the Standards Tracker platform, all directed at European telecom operators, manufacturers, SMEs, research institutions, and vertical industries. The programme has transitioned to the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) for 6G, with the 6GStart support action bridging the two eras.

Product overview

The 5G Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership (5G PPP) is a joint initiative between the European Commission and European ICT industry (including manufacturers, operators, service providers, SMEs, and research institutions) to deliver solutions, architectures, technologies, and standards for next-generation communication infrastructures. The 5G PPP is organized in three phases: Phase 1 (specification), Phase 2 (development), and Phase 3 (experimentation/pilots), with 93 total projects. Phase 3 is further subdivided into Infrastructure, Automotive, Vertical Trials, LTE Evolution, Core/CAM, and 5G Innovations sub-categories. The programme is complemented by support platforms including European 5G Annual Journal, White Papers, Verticals Cartography, Standards Tracker, and the NetworldEurope SME support platform. The 5G PPP programme has transitioned to the SNS JU (Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking) era for 6G research, with projects like 6GStart supporting the transition. The 5G-IA (5G Infrastructure Association) represents the private side of the partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 5G PPP Phase 1 Projects
• 5G PPP Phase 2 Projects
• 5G PPP Phase 3 Projects
• 6GStart Support Action Project
• Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU)
• Verticals Cartography

Quantifiable outcome

• 93 projects organized across 3 phases (specification, development, experimentation/pilots)
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• EIM (European Rail Infrastructure Managers Association)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2024MoU signed to enhance digital integration between rail infrastructure management and next-generation networks. The partnership aims to advance digital integration and explore applications of 6G technology in rail infrastructure management.
• TSDSI (Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 August 2024TSDSI hosted the 11th Global 5G Event in collaboration with 6 leading 5G/6G organisations from around the world. The event focused on 'Unlocking the Future: Convergence of AI, Cloud, and Networks in Telecom' with technical sessions on AI and Cloud Implementation Models, Multi-Access Edge Computing Use Cases, Regional 5G Deployment Experiences, and Path to 6G.
• Bharat 6G AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2024MoU signed to explore collaboration on Vision for 6G, requirements, architecture and use cases, identification of common interests, building of consensus and collaboration to support development of globally harmonised standards for Beyond 5G and 6G, and promoting cooperation among European and Indian R&D organisations and industries. The partnership encompasses aligning research and development priorities supporting a common 6G vision and creating secure and trusted telecommunications as well as resilient supply chains.
• ATIS Next G AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2024Joint publication of 'EU-US Beyond 5G & 6G Roadmap' for potential EU-US collaboration on research and investment activities. The roadmap outlines shared priorities for beyond 5G and 6G development.
• 5G-MAG AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2023MoU signed to further promote cooperation between the two organisations. The 5G-MAG focuses on media-related 5G applications and the partnership facilitates collaboration on media use cases and requirements.
• ETSIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 January 2023MoU reflecting strong mutual interest in bringing European research results closer to standardisation. The partnership bridges the gap between European research, standards and industry by ensuring research outputs inform ETSI standardisation activities.
• 5GAA (5G Automotive Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2022MoU reflecting mutual interest in cooperation between automotive and telecommunications industries. The partnership addresses automotive vertical requirements for 5G/6G and facilitates collaboration on connected and automated mobility use cases.
• AENEAS Industry AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2022MoU announced during EUCNC & 6G summit in Grenoble to build synergies for European leadership in next-generation telecommunications. Partnership focuses on coordinating research activities and maximising impact of European investments in telecommunications R&D.
• AIOTI (Alliance for IoT Innovation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2018Groundbreaking MoU signed at ICT-2018 conference in Vienna to strengthen end-to-end digitalisation in Europe through collaboration between Smart Networks and IoT. Partnership explores convergence opportunities between 5G networks and IoT applications.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2018Cooperation to enable new and innovative 5G solutions and services in support of Europe's 5G vertical markets. ESA and 5G IA signalled intent to work together on space-based and integrated connectivity solutions.
• NetworldEurope CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 20185G PPP maintains links to the NetworldEurope community which organises workshops including joint efforts with CCSA (Cooperative Members) at events like MWC.
• IEEE 5G InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2018Co-organisation of Worldwide 5G Industry Fora Session at IEEE 5G World Forum in Santa Clara. Session gathered 12 high-level speakers representing major regions and 5G Industry Associations including North America, Europe, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Taiwan.
• TSDSI (Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 May 2018MoU signed to foster collaboration on Research, Standards, Regulations and Policies over 3 years. Collaboration areas include Vision and Requirements of 5G systems, technology exploitation and dissemination, discussions on basic system concepts and architecture, support for global regulatory process in identification of frequency bands, identification of common interests for globally harmonised standards, and promoting cooperation among European and Indian R&D organisations.
• Brazil (EU-Brazil 5G cooperation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2016Agreement signed between EU and Brazil to develop 5G mobile technology. The cooperation included work on an action plan to deploy the technology and aligned European and Brazilian 5G research activities.
• 5GMF (5G Mobile Communications Promotion Forum, Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2015Early MoU between leading visionary organisations in Japan and Europe to collaborate for fast development of 5G. Partnership established framework for bilateral cooperation on 5G research and standardisation.
• 6GStart Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport action project under Horizon Europe (May 2022 - Sept 2024) facilitating preparation activities of European SNS Initiative. Consortium includes Eurescom (coordinator), 6G-IA, Nokia, Ericsson, Telenor, Orange, IDATE, University of Surrey, Instituto de Telecomunicações, Martel Innovate, SETU, AUSTRALO, Trust-IT, INOV, University of Oulu, Chalmers University of Technology, and IMEC.
• 5G AmericascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Global 5G Events MoU framework. Collaborated on 11th Global 5G Event in India and will host 12th Global 5G Event in Dallas, Texas, US in May 2025.
• 6G BrasilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Global 5G Events MoU framework. Participated in 11th Global 5G Event discussing regional experiences from 5G deployments and path to 6G.
• IMT-2020 (5G) PG (China)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Global 5G Events MoU framework. Contributed insights on international cooperation for 5G development and 6G research at Global 5G Events.
• 6G Forum (South Korea)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Global 5G Events MoU framework. Contributed to discussions on scalable AI-native systems and new radio technologies for 6G.
• XGMF (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Global 5G Events MoU framework. Contributed insights on innovative business models, emerging use cases for 5G/Local 5G, and NTN technologies.
• European CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe public side of the 5G PPP representing EU interests. The 5G PPP is a joint initiative between the European Commission and European ICT industry. EC provides public funding through Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programmes.
• 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe private side of the 5G PPP representing European industry interests. 6G-IA (formerly 5G IA) is the voice of European Industry and Research for next generation networks and services. It carries out activities in standardization, frequency spectrum, R&D projects, technology skills, collaboration with vertical industries, and international cooperation.
• FP10 Joint Statement SignatoriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner110 European associations representing key European RD&I stakeholders jointly calling on EU Institutions to significantly increase RD&I budget for FP10 and make pan-European collaborative research the cornerstone. Demonstrates broad coalition supporting increased European RD&I investments.

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• XGMF (Japan): Japan's Next Generation Mobile Communications Forum, the successor to 5GMF, focused on 5G evolution and 6G research. Comparable as a national-level industry forum contributing to global standardisation efforts and local 5G/6G deployment.
• 5G Americas: Americas-based industry trade association focused on 5G/6G development and standardisation. Comparable as a regional ecosystem coordinator and partner in the Global 5G Events MoU framework, working on similar standards advocacy and deployment enablement.
• Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI): India's telecommunications standards body with multiple MoUs and joint Global 5G Events with 5G PPP/6G-IA. Comparable as a national standards and research coordination body working on 5G/6G harmonisation across regions.
• 5G Forum (South Korea): South Korea's leading 5G/6G industry forum contributing to Global 5G Events and 6G research. Comparable as a regional ecosystem coordinator with similar focus on standards harmonisation, vertical trials, and government-industry collaboration.

Broad incumbents

• ATIS Next G Alliance: US-based industry alliance driving North American 6G research and roadmap; published the joint EU-US Beyond 5G & 6G Roadmap with 5G PPP/6G-IA. Directly comparable as a competing regional 6G ecosystem coordinator with overlapping membership from major telecoms vendors and operators.
• IMT-2020 (5G) Promotion Group: China's primary platform for 5G/6G research coordination among operators, manufacturers, and academia. Comparable as a national-scale public-private partnership coordinating 5G/6G standardisation and trials, with similar structure of government-industry collaboration.
• ETSI: European Telecommunications Standards Institute, with formal MoU cooperation with 5G IA. Comparable as the standards body that receives 5G PPP research outputs and incorporates them into formal European telecommunications standards.

Emerging players

• Bharat 6G Alliance: India's industry alliance for 6G vision and standardisation, with active MoU cooperation with 6G-IA. Comparable as an emerging regional ecosystem coordinator working on 6G vision, requirements, and harmonised standards.
• 5G Automotive Association (5GAA): Cross-industry organisation for connected and automated mobility use cases on 5G/6G. Comparable as a vertical-focused partnership with formal MoU cooperation with 5G PPP, addressing automotive vertical requirements for next-generation networks.

Direct peers

• 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA): The private-side industry association that represents European ICT industry in 5G PPP and SNS JU. Effectively the same governance structure as 5G PPP's private side, making it the most directly comparable entity for research coordination and standards advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/5GPPP
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCY8mTTwrDoMl35vGkiKq1Eg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-5g-infrastructure-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about 5G Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership