Imagine your mobile network as a highway system. The roads connecting cell towers to the internet backbone are getting jammed because we're all streaming, gaming, and video-calling at once. ThoR built wireless "express lanes" using terahertz radio waves — a frequency band nobody had used before — that can carry over 100 gigabits per second across a kilometre, without needing to dig up streets and lay fibre. They actually demonstrated this working in a real, live telecom network, not just in a lab.
5G and beyond-5G networks need to move enormous amounts of data — several terabits per second per square kilometre — between cell towers and the core network. Laying fibre to every cell site is slow and expensive, especially in dense urban areas. Network operators urgently need a wireless alternative that can match fibre speeds without the civil works.
The team built a complete 300 GHz wireless transceiver system capable of over 100 Gbps, combining photonic and electronic technologies with digital signal processing. They delivered 3 progressive hardware demonstrations — from initial hardware, through lab experiments, to a live demonstration in an operational telecom network achieving over 40 Gbps across 1 km.
If you are a telecom operator struggling with backhaul bottlenecks as 5G traffic explodes — this project demonstrated a 300 GHz wireless link delivering over 100 Gbps across 1 km. That means you can connect dense small-cell deployments without the cost and delay of laying new fibre. The system was validated in a live operational network, not just a lab.
If you are a data centre operator needing ultra-high-bandwidth short-range links between facilities — this project built transceivers at 300 GHz that aggregate 60 and 70 GHz channels into a single wireless pipe exceeding 100 Gbps. This could replace expensive fibre runs between nearby buildings or campus sites. The technology was demonstrated over 1 km distance with real-time data rates.
If you are a wireless equipment manufacturer looking for the next generation of backhaul products — this project advanced key enabling technologies including photomixers, travelling wave tube amplifiers, and receivers operating at 300 GHz. The consortium built hardware compliant with the IEEE 802.15.3d standard for 100 Gbps wireless. With 3 hardware demonstrations completed across 41 deliverables, there is a concrete technology base to license or co-develop.
The project data does not include pricing or unit cost information. As a research-stage system using specialised photonic and electronic components at 300 GHz, initial deployment costs would likely be significant. Commercial pricing would depend on component maturation and volume production.
The system was demonstrated over 1 km in both controlled and live operational network environments, which is a realistic backhaul distance. The design builds on the IEEE 802.15.3d standard for 100 Gbps wireless, which supports commercial scaling. However, moving from demonstration to mass deployment would require further engineering for weatherproofing, reliability, and manufacturing scale.
The consortium includes 3 industry partners and 2 SMEs alongside 3 universities and 2 research organisations across 4 countries. IP generated under Horizon 2020 RIA projects is typically owned by the partners who created it. Licensing discussions would need to go through the specific consortium members holding relevant patents on the 300 GHz transceiver and signal processing components.
The consortium directly influenced frequency regulation activities beyond 275 GHz through agenda item 1.15 of WRC 2019. This means the team was actively shaping the rules for this spectrum band, which is a strong indicator that regulatory pathways exist. Spectrum allocation at 300 GHz is still evolving and would need to be confirmed per jurisdiction.
The project ended in June 2022 with 3 successful hardware demonstrations. Based on available project data, the technology reached live-network demonstration stage. Commercial availability would depend on a telecom equipment vendor picking up the technology for productisation, which typically requires an additional development cycle.
The system was designed specifically for backhauling and fronthauling in 5G networks. It uses state-of-the-art chipsets operating in the standardised 60 and 70 GHz bands, aggregated onto the 300 GHz link. This standards-based approach using IEEE 802.15.3d means it is designed to plug into existing network architectures as a transparent transport layer.
The ThoR consortium is a compact but powerful group of 8 partners from 4 countries (Germany, France, Israel, UK), with a healthy 38% industry ratio. The mix of 3 industry players (including 2 SMEs), 3 universities, and 2 research organisations shows genuine industry pull alongside deep academic expertise. The coordinator, TU Braunschweig, is a leading German technical university. The team was instrumental in defining the IEEE 802.15.3d standard for 100 Gbps wireless, which means they are not just building technology — they are setting the rules. This is also an EU-Japan collaborative project, extending the network of expertise beyond Europe. For a business looking to enter the THz communications space, this consortium represents a credible and standards-connected entry point.
Coordinator is Technische Universität Braunschweig (Germany). SciTransfer can facilitate a direct introduction to the project team.
Want to explore licensing ThoR's 300 GHz wireless technology or find out which consortium partner holds the IP you need? Contact SciTransfer for a tailored introduction.
