Deutsche Telekom’s Private 5G Boosts German Paper Mill Operations

Deutsche Telekom has implemented a private 5G network at Hamburger Containerboard's paper mill in Spremberg, Germany, enhancing operational efficiency and security across 350,000 square meters.
Deutsche Telekom Private 5G Boosts German Paper Mill Operations
Image Credit: Deutsche Telekom and German Paper Mill

Deutsche Telekom has announced a groundbreaking private 5G network deployment at Hamburger Containerboard’s paper mill in Spremberg, Germany. This extensive network spans 350,000 square meters, the equivalent of 50 football fields, making it one of Europe’s largest private 5G campus networks. The network features over 120 antennas, delivering robust, standalone 5G connectivity throughout the facility’s indoor and outdoor areas.

Challenges Facing the Paper Manufacturing Industry


The paper manufacturing industry is constantly evolving, facing challenges such as optimizing production processes, managing logistics efficiently, and ensuring high security standards. The Spremberg site required a solution capable of addressing these demands while supporting future technological advancements, including real-time data flow and minimizing latency to improve operational efficiency.

Deutsche Telekomโ€™s Private 5G Network Solution

Deutsche Telekom’s deployment of a private 5G network at Spremberg addresses these challenges effectively. The standalone 5G network delivers ultra-low latency and high security, ideal for industrial applications. Network slicing ensures dedicated bandwidth for critical operations, while the extensive antenna network guarantees comprehensive coverage. Initially, the network will connect scanners, forklifts, and tracking systems for spare parts and documents, paving the way for more advanced use cases in the future.

Impact of 5G Network on Hamburger Containerboard’s Operations

Hamburger Containerboard produces 840,000 tons of paper annually at the Spremberg site. The implementation of the 5G network is set to optimize information flows, logistics, and production processes. Michael Krumay, Head of Digitalization Operations at Hamburger Containerboard, highlighted the potential of 5G to further enhance their operations. Klaus Werner, MD of business customers at Telekom Deutschland, emphasized that the network “meets particularly high security requirements and supports functions important to the industry such as network slicing and ultra-low latency.”

Why a Standalone 5G Network Was Chosen

The decision to deploy a 5G private network was driven by the need for a robust and secure solution that could handle the specific demands of the paper manufacturing industry. The network’s standalone 5G architecture ensures dedicated performance, while the extensive use of antennas guarantees comprehensive coverage across the vast facility. The network operates on the 3.7 โ€“ 3.8 GHz band, reserved for campus network deployments in Germany.

Key Benefits of the 5G Network for Hamburger Containerboard

The benefits of the 5G network are multifaceted. Improved logistics and production processes lead to increased efficiency and reduced costs. The ability to track spare parts and manage documents digitally enhances operational accuracy and speed. Future plans include the integration of IoT sensors for monitoring production and maintenance, and the deployment of automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems, further enhancing productivity.

The Broader Impact of Private 5G on Manufacturing

The deployment of private 5G networks in industrial settings represents a significant step forward for the manufacturing sector. It showcases the potential of 5G technology to transform traditional industries by providing real-time data and advanced automation capabilities. This deployment sets a benchmark for other manufacturers to follow, demonstrating the tangible benefits of embracing next-generation connectivity solutions.

Deutsche Telekomโ€™s Role in the 5G Deployment

Deutsche Telekom played a crucial role in this deployment, leveraging its expertise in telecommunications to design and implement a tailored solution for Hamburger Containerboard. The company’s commitment to delivering high-security, high-performance networks is evident in the success of this project.

Key Partnerships in Hamburger Containerboard’s 5G Implementation

Hamburger Containerboard collaborated with the consulting firm Bayerische Funknetz to assist in digitalizing the site. This partnership underscores the company’s dedication to leveraging expert knowledge and resources to maximize the benefits of their 5G network. Additionally, Hamburger Containerboard partnered with O2 Telefรณnica last year to build a similar 5G campus network at its Pitten, Austria site, covering over 100,000 square meters.

Current Status and Timeline of the Spremberg 5G Network

The 5G network in Spremberg is fully operational, connecting essential devices and systems. As the network matures, additional use cases involving IoT and automation will be rolled out, further enhancing the site’s capabilities.

The deployment of the 5G network at Spremberg marks a significant milestone in Hamburger Containerboard’s digital transformation journey. Initial implementation focused on connecting scanners and forklifts, with plans to integrate more advanced technologies in the near future.

Industry Recognition of the Private 5G Deployment

Industry leaders and experts recognize the importance of this deployment. The project exemplifies how private 5G networks can revolutionize manufacturing, setting a precedent for other sectors to explore similar solutions.

By embracing private 5G, Hamburger Containerboard is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation, ready to tackle the challenges of the modern industrial landscape.


Recent Content

Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and the Linux Foundation outline their 2025 cloud-native telecom roadmap, highlighting Kubernetes-native workloads, AI integration, observability, and zero-trust security models. Learn how open-source tooling, GitOps automation, and cultural transformation are reshaping next-gen telco operations.
Indiaโ€™s telecom sector is forecasted to grow 12โ€“14% in FY25, hitting โ‚น3 lakh crore in revenue, with AI adoption, Vodafone-led tariff hikes, and R&D investment driving momentum. AI is not just boosting efficiencyโ€”itโ€™s reshaping the future of telecom jobs, infrastructure, and policy. Sunil Bharti Mittal called for stronger private R&D efforts and smarter policy frameworks to harness Indiaโ€™s demographic advantage and scale the next era of AI-powered telecom innovation.
Fastweb+Vodafone has introduced the FastwebAI Suite, Italyโ€™s first sovereign GenAI platform designed for both businesses and public institutions. Built on secure, in-country infrastructure and powered by MIIA, an Italian-trained LLM, the platform ensures regulatory compliance with EU AI laws. Early adopters include the Italian Senate, ISTAT, and top universities. With consulting via the FastwebAI Factory and upcoming modules for security and governance, this launch strengthens Vodafoneโ€™s role in Italyโ€™s digital transformation.
NVIDIA and AMD will launch AI chips in China by July 2025, including the B20 and Radeon AI PRO R9700, tailored to comply with U.S. export rules. With performance capped under regulatory thresholds, these GPUs aim to support Chinaโ€™s enterprise AI needs without violating tech trade restrictions. NVIDIA is also rolling out a lower-cost chip based on Blackwell architecture, signaling a shift toward compliant yet capable AI compute options in restricted markets.
Generative AI has been disrupting every industry since its launch, and software development is no different. This technology has the ability to do things much faster and more accurately than humans, which is the driving force behind its rapid adoption by businesses around the globe. This article explores the seven ways of how generative AI is beneficial in Software development.
Whitepaper
Telecom networks are facing unprecedented complexity with 5G, IoT, and cloud services. Traditional service assurance methods are becoming obsolete, making AI-driven, real-time analytics essential for competitive advantage. This independent industry whitepaper explores how DPUs, GPUs, and Generative AI (GenAI) are enabling predictive automation, reducing operational costs, and improving service quality....
Whitepaper
Explore the collaboration between Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue University, Ericsson, and Saab at the Aviation Innovation Hub. Discover how private 5G networks, real-time analytics, and sustainable innovations are shaping the "Airport of the Future" for a smarter, safer, and greener aviation industry....
Article & Insights
This article explores the deployment of 5G NR Transparent Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), detailing the architecture's advantages and challenges. It highlights how this "bent-pipe" NTN approach integrates ground-based gNodeB components with NGSO satellite constellations to expand global connectivity. Key challenges like moving beam management, interference mitigation, and latency are discussed, underscoring...

Download Magazine

With Subscription

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Scroll to Top