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Published on: 06/11/2025
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Danube Delta connects to the future with 5G
The Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is to benefit from an innovative and ambitious project to deploy a communications infrastructure based on 5G Stand Alone and Edge Cloud technology. The project, dubbed 5G Connect Danube Delta (5G-CDD), illustrates how advanced connectivity can transform the lives of communities while supporting the conservation of this unique ecosystem.
A concrete project for an isolated region rich in biodiversity
This 36-month project began on October 1, 2024 and will run until September 30, 2027. Funded by the European Commission’s Connecting Europe Facility program, as part of the 5G and Edge Cloud for Smart Communities initiative, 5G Connect Danube Delta is the fruit of a consortium comprising 7 Romanian strategic partners, including Orange Romania and the Orange Foundation
The infrastructure will be deployed in 23 hard-to-reach localities in the Danube Delta, such as Sulina, Sfântu Gheorghe, Mila 23, and Isaccea, with a clear objective: to improve residents’ quality of life and foster local economic development, while protecting the environment. To achieve this, the project’s consortium partners will develop a series of innovative applications aimed at improving the region’s educational, medical, tourism and environmental monitoring services.
The multiple benefits of a 5G network for the Danube Delta region
1. Revolution in digital education
Thanks to 5G, the introduction of hybrid education will enable real-time collaboration between students and teachers, even in the most remote areas. The establishment of digital education centers, such as the Orange Digital Center at Mila 23, will provide access to innovative content, notably via virtual reality (VR). These initiatives offer a valuable opportunity for 1,470 beneficiaries in 17 schools, promoting educational inclusion.
2. Telemedicine: greater access to healthcare
5G connectivity enables medical devices to be linked remotely, facilitating remote medical monitoring and mobile care points. With over 5,200 beneficiaries in 10 medical units, this initiative will help reduce health isolation and ensure access to quality healthcare in this isolated region.
3. Promoting sustainable tourism
Residents and tourists alike will benefit from the Ivan’s Delta application, which enriches the ecotourism experience with interactive itineraries, geolocated points of interest and hazard alerts. Intelligent surveillance of tourist sites will be enhanced by 5G-compatible cameras, helping to preserve biodiversity while welcoming visitors in an environmentally-friendly setting. More than 2,050 tourists will benefit from these innovations to discover the delta in a responsible way.
4. Environmental monitoring and conservation
Protected areas will be equipped with connected sensors for real-time monitoring of hydrological conditions, water quality, and vegetation. These data, essential for the sustainable management of the delta, are transmitted via 5G technology. They will enable public authorities to better manage biodiversity and natural resources, thus contributing to the sustainable conservation of this unique ecosystem.
A significant social and economic impact and a model for the future
The deployment of 5G Stand Alone and Edge Cloud in the Danube Delta illustrates the ability of these technologies to positively transform isolated regions.
This project will foster the creation of entrepreneurial opportunities, stimulate local employment, and help reduce social isolation. By integrating innovative solutions for education, health, tourism and conservation, it shows how technology can be a driver of sustainable development, paving the way for a connected, sustainable and inclusive future.
Find out more about the project «5G Connect Danube Delta (5G-CDD) »?
• 5G Connect Danube Delta (opens in a new window)
• Orange 5G Lab Bucharest – 5G Lab (opens in a new window)
• Orange 5G Lab Isasi – Orange 5G Lab (opens in a new window)
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