5G Metro project: initial results on the development of a Hybrid 5G MPN Network

TAG (S)

Published on : 20/01/2026

4mn reading time

At the beginning of 2025, we presented the European 5G Metro project, in which the Orange 5G Lab in Châtillon participated. Co-led by Orange, Awabot and IMREDD – Université Côte d’Azur, this ambitious 5G project aims to build more inclusive learning environments through telepresence robotics and 5G technologies. Today, Orange is proud to announce that this initiative has reached a major milestone with the implementation of an hybrid 5G Standalone (SA) infrastructure, deploying one of the first integrated systems in Europe dedicated to inclusive education and robotic experimentation.

Sylvain Leroux (Smart Territories Marketing & Innovation Director at Orange) explains the hybrid private 5G network deployed by Orange as part of the 5G Metro project. © IMREDD – Université Côte d’Azur

Nokia’s ASIR distributed antenna technology, installed in November 2025, ensures reliable 5G connectivity with latency of less than 10 milliseconds and speeds of up to 20 Gbit/s — essential performance for robotics and IoT.

Since mid-December 2025, this indoor mobile coverage system has provided full public and private 5G connectivity throughout the entire IMREDD building.

Why does the university need to use both public and private 5G connectivity?

In higher education and research, not all digital uses are created equal.

A student browsing the library catalogue does not need the same performance as a robot enabling a remote student to attend a class in real time, or a research team transmitting sensitive data from a connected laboratory instrument.

With network slicing, a university can ensure that these use cases get precisely the required level of connectivity, without interference or lag, by choosing between the operator’s public network and the user’s private network.

Without a 5G network, it would not be possible to use Network Slicing technology, which allows multiple virtual networks to be created on a single physical 5G infrastructure. This means that each network ‘slice’ can be customised to specific performance requirements, whether ultra-low latency, high bandwidth or rock-solid reliability.

In the 5G Metro project, telepresence robots allow students who are temporarily homebound (due to illness or disability) to attend courses remotely, in real time.

For this to work, the robot must:

Connect instantly with low latency,
Maintain a stable connection as it moves around campus,
Never compete with other campus traffic for bandwidth.

5G Metro uses network slicing to ensure that telepresence robots operate on a dedicated, isolated network slice, separate from regular Internet traffic. This guarantees high quality of service and a smoother, more human learning experience.

Today, the deployment of an hybrid 5G SA network has been successfully completed, and ensures seamless network coverage inside and outside the IMREDD campus buildings.

A broader vision for inclusive innovation

The 5G Metro project is part of Orange’s overall strategy for 5G innovation and digital inclusion. By promoting an open and collaborative approach to innovation, Orange aims to build a smarter, more connected and more responsible society. 5G technology, particularly through network slicing, makes it possible to create more inclusive learning environments that are accessible to all, while paving the way for sectors such as healthcare, industry and mobility.

Outlook for 2026

After a year of laying solid foundations, the second phase of the project will begin with concrete experiments: connected robots, immersive AR/VR solutions, and the deployment of use cases in education, healthcare and research. The aim is to make the 5G Metro model a European benchmark, replicable on several campuses, and to continue exploring how 5G can transform educational and societal experiences.