BUT and Vodafone launch 5G-SHARE. Unique private 5G network for research is being created in Czechia
On Monday, 23 March, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication of Brno University of Technology (FEEC BUT) hosted a media event during which BUT, together with Vodafone presented the 5G-SHARE project. Launched on 1 January 2026, it represents the largest investment to date in a private 5G network for science and research in the Czech Republic.
Presentation of the 5G-SHARE project at the FEEC BUT. | Author: Nikola Číková
The project, funded by European funds in the order of hundreds of millions of Czech crowns, brings Czech research closer to the European forefront. At the same time, it opens up new opportunities for cooperation between universities and accelerates the development of digital innovation. Thanks to the integration of extended reality, laboratories across Europe are being interconnected, giving research an entirely new dimension.
The 5G-SHARE (5G Shared Academic Research Environment) project is based on the development of a mobile private network (5G MPN) covering the premises of FEEC BUT. Unlike public networks, it is dedicated exclusively to research purposes, enabling the testing of technologies with extremely low latency, high security, and full control over the environment. This is crucial, for example, for edge computing—real-time data processing directly at the point of origin—or for the development of the Internet of Things and autonomous systems.
“Cooperation with Vodafone on the 5G-SHARE project is a crucial step toward digital innovation for our faculty and the entire BUT. We are creating a unique ecosystem where theoretical knowledge meets cutting-edge infrastructure currently available in only a handful of European countries. Our researchers and students thus gain tools for research that has a direct impact on the security and efficiency of future communication networks,” says Jaroslav Koton, Dean of FEEC BUT.
“In Brno, we are not just building a technological network, but a true foundation for innovations that will influence society and industry as a whole. This largest investment in a private 5G network for scientific purposes in the Czech Republic is clear evidence that the combination of academia and cutting-edge technology delivers results on a European scale. Our shared goal is to provide research teams with an environment where they can safely develop and test solutions for smart energy, cybersecurity, or quantum technologies,” says Vodafone’s Vice President for Corporate Customers Veronika Brázdilová. “This year, Vodafone celebrates 20 years of its presence in the Czech Republic, and this project represents another important milestone in the country’s technological transformation,” she added.
Research with direct impact
The project brings concrete applications for both research teams and industry. At FEEC BUT, solutions are being developed in the fields of cybersecurity, optical networks, and post-quantum encryption. The infrastructure also includes the BUTCA cyber range and the experimental environment #VodafoneUniLab.
In cooperation with the Italian partner FifthIngenium , the project uses extended reality (XR), enabling remote collaboration and interactive learning across universities. Three additional university partners are also involved in development and testing: Atlantic Technological University in Ireland, the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, and the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca.
“Digital transformation requires the courage to experiment and seek solutions that do not yet exist. The 5G-SHARE project is exactly the place where theory turns into tangible results, whether in 5G-IoT research or advanced data encryption. We are proud, as a technology partner, to help strengthen digital sovereignty and the international competitiveness of Czech research,” says Tomáš Rosůlek, 5G MPN Business Development Manager at Vodafone.
“Thanks to the 5G-SHARE project, Brno is becoming a hub of European research into the digital future. The ability to test quantum technologies or special optical fiber microphones in a real 5G environment is invaluable for us. We demonstrate that the Czech Republic can effectively use European funding for projects that connect academia with the concrete needs of modern society,” concludes Pavel Mašek from the Department of Telecommunications, FEEC BUT.
The 5G-SHARE project is part of a broader European initiative with a total value of nearly EUR 17 million, of which EUR 12.3 million comes from EU funding. The aim is to develop new forms of education and knowledge sharing using 5G technologies.
Project 101241240 24-EU-DIG-5G Share is co-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
| Responsible person | Ing. Zdeňka Koubová |
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