For the first time in Europe, A1 demonstrated live uninterrupted 5G services at the border with Greece

A1 participates in the project for uninterrupted 5G and roaming services 5G SEAGUL together with WINGS ICT Solutions and COSMOTE Greece. The results of the first phase of the project were demonstrated today in the area of ​​the Kulata – Promakhon border crossing by representatives of the partners.

A1 5G SEAGUL

In the presence of EC officials, Bulgarian and Greek institutions and journalists, the three companies demonstrated live different scenarios of uninterrupted 5G and roaming connectivity. They will contribute to increasing the safety of transport, automation and logistics. A1 is the first telecommunications company in Bulgaria to demonstrate uninterrupted roaming and 5G connectivity.

Practical examples of using 5G networks in border areas included VoLTE voice calls and Viber video calls. As well as video streaming conducted by a car moving from Greek to Bulgarian territory and vice versa. Another of the demos showed live the applications of uninterrupted connectivity when moving from COSMOTE’s 5G network to A1’s 5G ULTRA network. It will allow smart on-board units (OBU) devices to send telemetry data such as temperature, humidity and other important parameters when transporting goods across the border. This application of technology will greatly contribute to the field of transportation. So are fast-moving non-perishable goods, food and other cargo sensitive to differences in temperature and humidity.

What is 5G SEAGUL?

Once completed in 2025, the 5G SEAGUL project will provide uninterrupted 5G services for 450 km from Sofia to Velestino. This will enable the future realization of connected and automated mobility (CAM) or autonomous cars. Connected and automated mobility will be a catalyst for improving road safety, improving traffic and reducing carbon emissions. All this will overall contribute to the industrial competitiveness of the transport and mobility sectors in Europe.

What are the benefits of 5G SEAGUL?

In addition, the area around the Kulata-Promahon border crossing will have uninterrupted roaming. This means that users and connected cars will be able to cross the border between the two countries without any disruption to mobile services. By building the Bulgarian part of the 5G SEAGUL project, A1 will provide the benefits of uninterrupted connectivity and low latency. This will contribute to the development of rural areas around the cross-border transport corridor.

5G SEAGUL is implemented by three partners – WINGS ICT Solutions and COSMOTE from the Greek side and A1 from the Bulgarian side. This will speed up the construction of uninterrupted 5G coverage along 450 km of the Sofia-Thessalonica-Athens corridor, including the border area.

A1 will operate on the section between Sofia and the Kulata checkpoint. It is 173 km long, while COSMOTE Greece will build 5G coverage for about 300 km from Promachon border crossing to Velestino. The project started in 2023 and is due to be completed in 2025. It is financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union under grant agreement No. 101094584.