Networking and digitalization in mobility and logistics are inconceivable without high-performance data networks. With a view to the mobile communications standard 5G, Michael Reinartz, Director Consumer Service & Innovation at Vodafone Germany, showed promising perspectives – from optimized parking space management via vehicle-to-vehicle communication to new safety functions. For example, high-speed data networks could enable better protection of pedestrians and cyclists on the road: “Communication networks have a bird’s eye view of narrow and poorly visible intersections,” Reinartz explained. The idea: in the future, vehicles will be able to warn each other on ultra-fast 5G networks, thereby preventing accidents when turning. The technology is already practical for such services, but the latency times of the 4G standard are not sufficient for many services. For collision warnings to arrive on time, for example, latency times well below 30 or 40 milliseconds are required, he said. “5G is the decisive step on the way to this goal,” said the expert in his keynote.