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Better time synchronisation enables improved service for mobile customers

The work of EMPIR project ‘Time synchronisation impact enabling future network connection’ (15SIP04, TIMEFUNC) supports the uptake of time synchronisation technology for telecommunications, which will enable service providers such as mobile communications providers to increase data transfer capacity and determine the location of mobile customers.

This faster data transfer will improve services such as video and audio streaming, video conferencing and interactive gaming. In addition, navigation and location will become more accurate.

These are pressing demands resulting from the Internet of Things, where virtually everyone and everything is connected together.

The project supports the uptake of White Rabbit technology (an Ethernet based technology originally conceived at CERN) across the telecommunications sector by providing training on how to design, implement, operate and maintain a White Rabbit network.

Specific impact resulting from this project includes:

• The company OPNT (Optical Positioning Navigation and Timing) has implemented a demonstration of WR-PTP-based synchronisation in a sub-network of one of the leading providers of mobile phone services in the Netherlands
•  Tallgrass (a fibre optic network service deliverer) is now offering a synchronisation service traceable to universal coordinated time (UTC) to financial institutions in the Amsterdam region

Further information

• Tallgrass / OPNT press release: Accurate Time Synchronisation in live network
• EC case study analysing White Rabbit hardware: White Rabbit Open Science Monitor Case Study  

This EMPIR project is co-funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the EMPIR Participating States.

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