CEF Digital supports the early 5G-deployment and edge infrastructure that enable use cases for public administrations, healthcare centres, schools and other education and training institutions, so-called socio-economic drivers.
The underlying 5G connectivity needed to enable the set-up of innovative solutions will help these public authorities and providers of services of general (economic) interest to become smarter, i.e. more efficient, resilient and able to adapt according to the evolving citizens’ needs, the environment, the local economy and society at large.
Projects funded under the 5G and Edge Cloud for Smart Communities Calls aim to:
- Deploy 5G infrastructures capable of delivering leading-edge connectivity such as Gigabit performance, high-user-density, ubiquitous coverage, low latency and reliability.
- Bundle the deployed 5G networks with a cloud-to-edge middleware stack capable of supporting the data-intensive use cases and applications required by the involved socio-economic drivers, where necessary.
By supporting local innovations that are enabled by 5G systems, the projects will provide blueprints of digital innovation that can be replicated across Europe.
CEF funding for 5G and Edge Cloud for Smart Communities is expected to accelerate the take-up of 5G connectivity for the provision of innovative services and contribute to a wider deployment and take up of 5G at the same time.
How to participate
Project consortia should consist of minimum two entities:
- A mobile network operator.
- A public authority/provider of services of general (economic) interest with whom the use cases will be developed.
Calls are announced on our website and social media channels.
Awarded projects
Browse EU-funded projects on the Funding & Tenders portal and get inspired.
News
![CEF Highlight of the month: Will the Artic be the next Digital Gateway?](https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-06/240603_CEF-telecom-highlight_v01%201%20%281%29.png?h=cd57bf56&itok=yYFyjaXv)
This year marks 10 years since the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Programme was launched in 2014. To celebrate its anniversary, HaDEA will publish a series of articles to highlight the results and achievements of this funding instrument.
![Submarine Networks EMEA. 19 May at 11.20 Keynote speech 'HaDEA: Managing EU funding of digital backbones'. Marina Zanchi, Director of HaDEA](https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-04/240518_Submarine_v01.jpg?h=06dd7da2&itok=5zX83bgV)
HaDEA will be at this year's Submarine Networks EMEA conference on 29 and 30 May. Join to meet CEF Digital project beneficiaries learn about the latest accomplishments in the field and the role of the Agency in supporting the Digital Global Gateways strategy of the EU.
![Connectivity Package - CEF Digital. Dark background with white letters. Text: See some examples of how CEF Digital is supporting the European Commission's plan for improved digital infrastructure.](https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/240318_CEF-carousel_v0214.jpg?h=cd57bf56&itok=CZomUUDx)
The European Commission published in February its Connectivity Package with a White Paper on the future of digital infrastructures in Europe, and a Recommendation on the security and resilience of submarine cable infrastructures.