SIMONE project successfully concludes B5G pilot

Karlstad University (KAU) and Softcode AB successfully completed their participation in IMAGINE-B5G Open Call 2, testing an immersive remote-education solution (SIMONE) at the Norwegian SINLAB facility over a 12-month period. The trials demonstrated the feasibility of real-time 360° video streaming and immersive learning over operational 5G/B5G infrastructure, showcasing the potential of immersive education for the broader education sector.

IMAGINE-B5G is a Horizon Europe / SNS JU initiative that provides an advanced end-to-end 5G/B5G platform enabling large-scale trials and pilots across Europe. The project federates experimental facilities in Norway, Spain, Portugal, and France, offering SMEs, start-ups, academia, and industry access to test innovative vertical applications and platform extensions. SIMONE was one of the 15 projects selected in Open Call 2.

The SIMONE project aimed to address the challenge of delivering immersive, interactive, and inclusive remote education by leveraging B5G networks and VR/AR technologies. KAU and Softcode deployed a full end-to-end 360° streaming architecture using the Norwegian SINLAB facility to test real-time performance, user experience, and network behaviour under realistic 5G conditions. The methodology included system demonstrations, KPI measurements, latency assessments, and user trials with head-mounted displays. The project achieved the following results:

Validated 5G network performance for immersive 360° streaming, with ~30 ms RTT, negligible packet loss, and stable ~11 Mbps uplink, confirming support for the SIMONE real-time use case.
Successfully demonstrated the SIMONE immersive education use case over 5G, validating real-time 360° streaming and strong user experience during live trials.
Achieved TRL progression from TRL3 to TRL5, delivering a working prototype validated in a relevant 5G environment.

The project contributed to advancing immersive education as a viable B5G vertical, demonstrating that real-time 360° learning experiences can be supported by edge-enabled 5G infrastructure. These results demonstrate the readiness of immersive communication technologies for future commercial deployment, large-scale educational adoption, and further research in XR-enabled learning, while strengthening Europe’s position in the evolving B5G ecosystem.

KAU and Softcode plan to continue developing and scaling the SIMONE solution, adding enhanced interaction capabilities and expanding its applicability across education, emergency response, and industrial training. Future work includes additional pilots and steps toward commercialization through partnerships and service offerings.