The GSMA Connected Manufacturing and Production team recently attended the annual Hannover Messe 2025 event in Germany. During the largest manufacturing event of the year, the team connected with partners having in-depth discussions and participated in a number of sessions on the 5G and Industrial Wireless Stage in Hall 14.
Panel: Bridging the Connectivity Gap with LEO and 5G
In a recent panel discussion featuring thought leaders from Accenture, Ericsson, UNIO Enterprise GmbH, and GSMA, experts unpacked the role LEO satellites can play in enhancing the reach and reliability of 5G networks for industrial applications. Moderator Jefferson Wang (Chief Strategy Officer, Cloud First at Accenture) led the conversation, emphasizing the need for customized, business-specific solutions.
By combining the low-latency, high-speed promise of 5G with the global reach of LEO satellite systems, manufacturers can unlock a new era of operational efficiency and resilience—especially in remote or hard-to-service locations. As the worlds of 5G and space technology continue to accelerate, smart manufacturing is poised to benefit from their convergence in groundbreaking ways. One of the most exciting developments lies in the integration of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites with 5G networks—a game-changing move that promises to extend connectivity beyond traditional boundaries and into even the most challenging geographic regions.
Speakers highlighted how AI and emerging technologies can work in concert with this hybrid infrastructure to boost productivity and reduce downtime.
Fireside Chat: Mobile Network Labs: Powering the Shift to Industry 4.0 and Beyond
One of the event’s standout moments came during a fireside chat between Jo Gilbert (Technical Director and Manufacturing Lead at GSMA) and Paul Cobben (Portfolio Lead). Together, they explored the transformative impact of mobile network labs on the future of manufacturing.
The GSMA Foundry Telco Network initiative is driving innovation in 4G, 5G, and even 6G environments. Real-world deployments from industry leaders like ASML, NXP, Philips, and Canon were spotlighted, showcasing the success of the KPN Campus Digital Factory Field Lab.
Participants were also invited to engage directly with the GSMA Foundry Telco Labs Network—a rare opportunity for organisations to be part of shaping the future of manufacturing tech.
If you are Interested in getting involved please reach out to [email protected] to learn more.
Presentation: Unlocking the Power of Network APIs in Manufacturing
Another key focus was the rise of Network APIs as powerful enablers of digital transformation in the manufacturing sector. Presented at GSMA, this session highlighted how APIs serve as a bridge between devices, applications, and network capabilities—streamlining data exchange and unlocking real-time insights.
Key takeaways included:
- How Network APIs enable seamless communication between software applications and networks.
- GSMA’s support of API adoption through initiatives like Open Gateway, GSMA Fusion, and Connect Manufacturing and Production Activity workstreams.
- Tangible benefits of APIs in accelerating automation, IoT integration, and smart manufacturing.
- A spotlight on the collaboration between Orange and Shabodi to create enterprise-ready solutions that combine connectivity with intelligence.
Want the full story? Download the whitepaper: Network APIs for Manufacturing – An Exploration of Use Cases to dive into real-world deployments and learn how your organisation can benefit from this innovation.
