The zone will be available to a wide range of partners from the public and private spheres – universities, research institutions, state and local government bodies, municipal organizations, companies and components of the integrated rescue system and the Army of the Czech Republic. It will enable the verification of autonomous systems, advanced automation, logistics and security solutions, or infrastructure management tools under conditions corresponding to real urban traffic. "With this project, we are moving the Exhibition Centre into the role of an active partner in the innovation ecosystem. We do not want to be just a place for the presentation of technologies, but a platform that connects industry, research and public administration and helps new solutions enter the market faster," said Jan Kubata, CEO of BVV Trade Fairs Brno.
At the same time, the Open 5G Hub Brno technology infrastructure creates a new platform for the presentation of innovations at industrial and industry fairs. In an environment where top experts, companies, representatives of public administration and the general public meet regularly, this creates space not only for testing, but also for effective transfer of technology into practice.
Private 5G network and IoT infrastructure
The test zone includes a private 5G network, which was built by T-Mobile for BVV Trade Fairs Brno. "5G technology opens the way to solutions that were unthinkable just a few years ago. Its use at the Open 5G Hub Brno shows how modern connectivity can shift the areas of mobility, energy or security and contribute to smarter functioning of cities. This project confirms that 5G is not just about speed, but about creating real solutions for the future, and we are happy to be a part of it," says Jakub Kopecký, Tribe Lead of Industry 4.0 at T-Mobile.
The network covers more than seven hectares of urban-type outdoor areas with buildings, roads, utilities and street furniture. In addition, it is also available in Hall P, which offers 15,000 m² of covered space that can be used both as an open hall space and in the event mode for the public with an attendance of up to 12,000 people. Another element of the infrastructure is the IoT mesh network consisting of smart luminaires and meters installed on the premises. The individual elements are connected via communication gateways to a wireless network using a license-free frequency band. The solution is aimed primarily at scenarios in the field of energy and community energy, metering and regulation, or utility network management. The infrastructure is complemented by advanced video sensors designed to collect and analyze data on traffic flows. The system enables the detection of the intensity and nature of traffic, including the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. All data is anonymized, aggregated and compressed in accordance with the requirements of cyber security and GDPR legislation. In the future, this will create a robust data base that can be used for test scenarios in the field of traffic management, parking, area and city logistics.
Hall M as the centre of the living laboratory
The central point of the test zone will be Hall M in the central part of the complex, which will undergo reconstruction in 2026 and will be transformed into the base of the BVV Living Lab. Open 5G Hub Brno will be further developed in synergy with key projects, especially the URBIS, AMPER, IDET and the International Engineering Fair. In the future, the 5G test zone will also be followed by FutureZone Polygon – a platform for testing autonomous mobility, smart logistics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, UGVs). BVV Trade Fairs Brno thus strengthen its role as an active player in the national and regional innovation ecosystem and confirm the importance of trade fairs as a place where new technologies are not only presented, but also verified and put into practice.
The creation of the 5G test zone Open 5G Hub Brno was financed by the European Union from the National Recovery Plan – Component 1.4 Digital Economy and Society, Innovative Start-ups and New Technologies, Challenges Demonstrative Application of the 5G Network Ecosystem for Smart Cities, Municipalities and Regions. The implementation took place as part of the Open 5G Hub Brno project of the same name, registration number CZ.31.6.0/0.0/0.0/23_087/0008930 in the period January 2024–March 2026.
About BVV Trade Fairs Brno, a.s.:
BVV Trade Fairs Brno a.s. is a renowned and largest trade fair administration in Central Europe. About ninety events take place at the Brno Exhibition Centre every year, which are visited by hundreds of thousands of people. One of the most important achievements of the company is the International Engineering Fair, and the IDET Security and Defense Technology Fair has also built an important name from a global point of view. Other important events include the complex of agricultural and forestry fairs and the URBIS trade fair for smart solutions for cities. The Exhibition Centre is also a venue for important congresses with accompanying exhibitions, balls, sporting events or festivals and concerts.