Telia and Ericsson launched a 5G pilot network in 2018 with the Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) acting as the research lab for the creation of 5G solutions.

The permanent installation is open to vendors and researchers to develop and test 5G services, and the network’s speed and low latency are also pinned for use to launch TalTech’s self-driving car.

Tallinn has offered free public transport to residents since 2013 and generates a turnover of €20 million per year through resident income tax agreements linked to the programme. However, the city now wants to transform its buses, trams and trains in the quest to become a smart city.

Tallinn has established Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) which permit residents to use electronic IDs to access transport information including the journeys of public transport vehicles through the web and mobile apps, and 90% of parking fees are now paid through the system. Cameras installed at busy intersections report traffic data in real-time, and location data is being used to track accidents, 35% of which is now reported accurately within a span of five meters.

There can be up to 30 seconds of delay, however, in relaying vital transport information. This is an area in which 5G’s speed can improve the smart transport network further, and as the city welcomes thousands of new residents a year, the network will also be able to cater for increased capacity demands.

Tallinn’s future goals will also require a strong 5G network. The city hopes to overhaul the public transport system with self-driving vehicles, call-to-order bus stops, and to launch new public services based on autonomous vehicles.