Tesla boasts of private 5G deployment and global rollout plans

Carmaker Tesla said it has constructed a private 5G network at its factory in Berlin, and that it plans to deploy the technology globally.

The company disclosed the news in a post to social media. In a video, Tesla officials at the company's "gigafactory" in Berlin said the network there supports speedy, low-latency connections and can work indoors and outdoors. That outdoor coverage is critical, according to the company, because it allows Tesla to update hundreds of cars outside without needing to run fiber and power to outdoor locations.

However, details of the deployment – such as the network's vendors, spectrum and operational parameters – are not clear. Tesla does not employ a public relations department and generally does not respond to questions from the media.

Tesla's interest in private 5G does not come as a surprise. As Light Reading previously reported, recent job postings to the company's website hinted at interest in a private wireless network to "understand current and future connectivity requirements of Tesla vehicles and Optimus for on premise use cases like in manufacturing shopfloors, outdoor areas, and R&D labs."

Further, recent reports have hinted at Jio's interest in building a private 5G network in a Tesla plant in India. Tesla has also engaged in recent litigation around 5G patents.

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For its part though, Tesla is embarking on a major cost-cutting initiative amid a sharp decline in demand for its electric cars. Reports indicate layoffs may affect up to 10% of the automaker's workforce.

To be clear, Tesla isn't the only automaker interested in using a private 5G network to connect elements in its manufacturing facilities. For example, Mercedes-Benz Cars said it worked with Telefónica Deutschland and Ericsson to build a 5G network for automobile production in its "Factory 56" in Sindelfingen, Germany. Separately, Ford said it worked with Vodafone on similar efforts in the UK.

Broadly, though, the private wireless networking opportunity globally hasn't developed as quickly as many companies had hoped.