Netherlands Opens Advanced 5G Testing Facility to Accelerate Wireless Innovation

2026-01-01 data

Delft, Thursday, 1 January 2026.
TU Delft’s new Do IoT Fieldlab represents a significant leap in wireless technology development, offering researchers and companies unprecedented access to real-world 5G testing environments. The facility focuses on four critical sectors: mobility, logistics, healthcare, and agriculture, where 5G’s five-fold speed advantage over 4G networks enables breakthrough applications. Companies like ExRobotics report obtaining vital safety data from inspection robots at dramatically faster rates, while Rail Connected anticipates decades-long reductions in railway safety product development cycles. The fieldlab’s private 5G network capabilities allow businesses to maintain complete data control while experimenting with advanced robotics, including teaching robots through demonstration rather than traditional programming methods.

Strategic Partnership Network Powers Innovation Hub

The Do IoT Fieldlab operates as part of a carefully orchestrated ecosystem centered on TU Delft Campus, where strategic partnerships amplify innovation capabilities. The facility houses pioneering startups including Momo Medical, DuckDuckGoose AI, Perciv AI, Dalco Robotics, and The Robot Engineers within the House of Robotics and AI, Data & Digitalisation building [4]. This collaborative environment extends beyond the physical space, with key partnerships including TU Delft, TNO, and MCS forming the foundation of the fieldlab’s operational structure [3]. The integration with RoboHouse creates a powerful synergy between robotics and wireless communication technologies, enabling comprehensive testing scenarios that mirror real-world industrial applications [4].

Real-World Applications Demonstrate 5G’s Transformative Impact

Industry testimonials reveal the tangible benefits companies are already experiencing through 5G implementation at the fieldlab. Tim Vercruyssen from ExRobotics emphasizes the critical safety advantages, stating that “with 5G, we obtain much more data from our inspection robots at a faster rate, which is vital as safety in hazardous environments is always paramount” [3]. Similarly, Jan-Wick Kranenburg from Rail Connected projects dramatic efficiency gains, noting that “production of safety products on and around railways will be shortened by decades with 5G” [3]. These real-world applications extend to agricultural settings, where the fieldlab has established testing capabilities at Tomatoworld in Honselersdijk, addressing the growing complexity of greenhouse operations that require coordination between multiple sensors, robots, and data applications [6].

Technical Advantages Drive Performance Breakthroughs

The technical specifications of 5G networks provide measurable advantages over existing wireless infrastructure, particularly in industrial applications. A 5G network operates at speeds 5 times faster than 4G networks, enabling rapid data transmission crucial for real-time decision-making in automated systems [6]. Beyond speed improvements, 5G offers enhanced standardization and security compared to traditional WiFi connections, allowing companies to establish private networks where data remains internal and access controls rest entirely with the business operator [6]. The technology’s superior reliability becomes particularly evident in mobile applications, where robots, drones, and other devices can move rapidly through facilities without experiencing the connection interruptions that typically plague WiFi systems, ensuring continuous data flow and preventing information loss [6].

Advanced Research Capabilities Shape Future Technology Development

Current research initiatives at the Do IoT Fieldlab focus on revolutionary approaches to robotics and automation that leverage 5G’s capabilities. On December 15, 2025, the fieldlab announced research into teaching robots through demonstration rather than traditional programming methods, addressing the inefficiency of programming individual tasks in an era of increasing demand for flexible automation [2]. This research incorporates advanced concepts including teleoperation, smart robotics, and Industry 4.0 applications, with investigations extending beyond current 5G capabilities to explore 5G Beyond and emerging 6G technologies [2]. The fieldlab’s positioning within the National 6G Testbed and its access to private 5G facilities across South Holland provides researchers with comprehensive testing environments that span from laboratory conditions to real-world implementation scenarios [3]. These capabilities support the Netherlands’ broader strategy to maintain leadership in wireless technology development while providing local innovators with the infrastructure necessary for next-generation connectivity solutions [GPT].

Bronnen

5G technology IoT research