Project Execution
The updated evolution of the project seen from a chronological perspective updated as of 30/05/2025:
The UPC, through the coordinators of ELEGANT, requests a research infrastructure in advanced 5G technologies.
The Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service (Ministerio para la Transformación Digital y de la Función Pública) officially announces the awarding of the project (TSI-064100-2023-9), and the project name will be ELEGANT.
The project management team is set up and hired, including a manager/promoter, a fiber optics engineer, and a 5G technologies engineer.
Prior to the network bidding, studies are carried out about the locations of the antennas and the setup of fiber connections between the DPC and antennas, as well as the electrical power supply network.
Once the detailed architecture of the experimental network is completed, the publication of the request for proposals begins. It includes 5G antennas (FR1 and FR2), Core 5, and optical equipment.
Prior to the awarding and deployment of the network, the DPC CN is configured and implemented, located in the basement of the Omega building.
The network award takes place (see milestone 5), and the contracting process is carried out.
Once the contract is formalized, the network deployment and coordination of associated activities begins.
Award of the instrumentation equipment.
In preparation for the network deployment, mobile network terminals (MNT) compatible with FR1 and FR2 frequency bands have been acquired. In this phase, six mobile devices for the FR1 band and one mobile device for the FR2 band were incorporated. The acquisition of the remaining three terminals for FR2 is scheduled for the last quarter of 2025 and throughout 2026.
The requested instrumentation is delivered: signal analyzer and optical and RF spectrum analyzers.
Completion of network deployment and verification of overall functionality — marked in orange — due to a delay compared to the initially scheduled date, which was set for early April and is now estimated to be mid-June.
Once the infrastructure is functioning correctly, training is conducted, and the network is handed over.
The exploitation model is defined by establishing services for the research community, as well as managing the operation and maintenance of the network.
The final project documentation is completed and submitted to the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service as justification for the network financing. The exploitation, operation, and maintenance phase then begins.