NTT DATA and Cisco partner to provide RAI Amsterdam with one of the first Private 5G networks in The Netherlands. RAI Amsterdam is the first multifunctional exhibition and conference center in the Netherlands to be equipped with this innovative business transformation technology.

For years, NTT DATA, Cisco and the RAI Amsterdam have a successful partnership, supporting RAI with their digital transformation. The Private 5G network has been launched during the Cisco Live Amsterdam exhibition from February 5 to 9 2024. NTT DATA supplies the network on an 'As-a-Service' basis, to completely relieving RAI Amsterdam of any operations.

"The RAI is increasingly evolving from a traditional exhibition and conference venue into an innovation platform and knowledge centre where events take place," says Bret Baas, manager of IT and Digital at RAI Amsterdam. "New technologies are of critical importance to both our clients and ourselves. They open up a world of possibilities during events such as flying drones and showing & forwarding high quality videos. At the same time, our premises are becoming ever smarter, facilitating elements such as crowd control and sustainability."

Next-step mobile internet development
The new private 5G network is the next step in the digital transformation trajectory on which RAI Amsterdam has embarked. It is an area, adds Baas, in which the RAI as an organisation is leading the way in Europe. "5G is the next stage in the development of mobile internet, ensuring the secure and fast transfer of data. One of the key benefits of a private 5G network is that, unlike with Wi-Fi, network overloading will rarely occur. Nor does it require cables. 5G offers exhibitors and customers far more options while allowing us to be exceptionally flexible on their behalf."

Working closely with partners NTT Data and Cisco, this new network was installed in a short time. "We are delighted to jointly offer this first network solution for private 5G in the complex environment of conferences and events,” comments Jeroen van Hamersveld, general manager of NTT DATA Netherlands. “Acquiring private 5G as a service not only provides RAI Amsterdam as a venue with maximum speed and security… RAI clients can also take advantage of the support 5G provides for any new concepts and innovations they are looking to present.”

NTT DATA is leading the way with services in the field of 5G and, in building the new Private 5G network at Rai Amsterdam, is drawing on its broad foreign experience with 5G, which offers enormous opportunities not only in the hospitality and conference sector, but everywhere: from healthcare to government and from ports to large industrial companies. For example, NTT DATA built a Private 5G network at Frankfurt Airport, one of the largest airports in Europe. In the American city of Las Vegas, NTT DATA is building the largest Private 5G network in the US. 

A Private 5G network is a mobile private network at the customer site. It combines the features of a fixed network, including speed, security, reliability, and low latency with the stability speed and flexibility of a mobile 5G network. The technology offers several advantages over 4G, such as significantly higher bandwidth, lower latency, and strong security. Moreover, it is real-time adaptable. It opens the way to numerous new applications.