ORANGE POLSKA SA

Their core work

Orange Polska is Poland's largest telecommunications operator, bringing real-world mobile network infrastructure and operational expertise to European 5G and beyond-5G research. They serve as a testbed and validation partner, providing live network environments where experimental 5G technologies — network slicing, edge computing, drone connectivity, IoT architectures — can be trialed at scale. Their contributions bridge the gap between lab-stage telecom research and commercial deployment, with particular strength in validating vertical use cases like smart mobility, e-health, and UAV traffic management over production-grade networks.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015–2018), Orange Polska focused on foundational cloud and data infrastructure (SSICLOPS, VaVeL) and initial 5G network architecture (5GPagoda, blueSPACE), working on spatial multiplexing and basic connectivity. From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward applied 5G verticals — drone connectivity, smart tourism, e-health — and into security, machine learning for network management, and early 6G research. The progression shows a clear move from building 5G plumbing to making it intelligent, secure, and industry-ready.

Orange Polska is moving toward AI-driven network management, zero-touch automation, and 6G readiness — expect them to seek partners in distributed intelligence and next-gen wireless.

How they like to work

Orange Polska operates exclusively as a participant, never coordinating — consistent with their role as an infrastructure provider bringing live network assets rather than leading research agendas. With 176 unique partners across 26 countries, they are a well-connected hub in the European telecom R&D ecosystem, joining large consortia (typical for 5G projects). This makes them an accessible, low-friction partner: experienced in multi-party EU projects, comfortable contributing infrastructure and validation without needing to drive the research direction.

Extensive European network spanning 176 unique partners across 26 countries, built through consistent participation in large-scale 5G consortia. Their reach covers most EU member states, with strong connections to the major telecom R&D clusters.

What sets them apart

As Poland's incumbent telecom operator, Orange Polska offers something most research partners cannot: access to a live, nationwide mobile network for real-world validation of experimental technologies. Their sustained 13-project track record across the full 5G evolution — from early architecture through verticals to 6G vision — means they understand not just the technology but the practical constraints of deploying it at scale. For consortium builders, they represent a reliable Eastern European anchor with genuine infrastructure skin in the game.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MonB5G
  Largest funding (€429K) and most forward-looking scope — distributed management and zero-touch automation for beyond-5G networks using machine learning.
• 5G!Drones
  Applied 5G to UAV operations with network slicing and edge computing — a high-visibility vertical use case combining telecom with aerospace regulation.
• Hexa-X
  The EU's 6G flagship project, signaling Orange Polska's positioning at the frontier of next-generation wireless research (joined as third party via Orange Group).