Metis, the 5G technology

when the deployment of networks capable of supporting 4G/LTE devices is still not a reality, the European Union is already seriously thinking about the development of a new faster and more efficient standard: 5G. European UnionSo much so that the Vice President of the European Commission and responsible for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, has announced the creation of a 50 million euro fund for research grants in order to have 5G ready by the year 2020. "Network deployment today is important," Kroes said. "But, what comes next? Regarding the next global standard and the next generation of technology, will Europe lead the world, or simply be just another follower?" "Europe used to lead the world in wireless: we invented the GSM standard, which once dominated devices. However, now we are falling behind, overtaken by the East and the West. We urgently need to catch up to recover a strong wireless industry, to consolidate a strong economy and to deliver technological tools to people with which to access and create opportunities," argues the commissioner, whose greatest wish is for 5G to be a pioneering asset for the community industry. In this regard, the collaboration of public bodies and private entities such as Telefónica, British Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom, Telecom Italia, Portugal Telecom, Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia, Siemens Networks, Thales Communications, SAP and BMW has been sought. One of the main projects to which funding will be allocated, specifically 16 million euros, is METIS. Its goal? To address the architecture and functionality needs for the next generation of mobile networks with a data volume 1,000 times higher.