Dr. Ralf Irmer is Senior Manager Strategy & Corporate Development in Vodafone Germany.  In 2005 he finished his PhD and PostDoc at Dresden University of Technology after studies in Dresden, Edinburgh, and Singapore. Ralf has lead several large research consortia. He wrote more than 40 papers and holds numerous patents.  He then joined Vodafone Group R&D, where he was  leading the wireless access innovation activities,  which includes QoE, WiFi,  LTE development and small cells. Ralf developed the company blueprints and conducted many trials.  Ralf built up the 5G  programme  for Vodafone Group and lead it  for three years. He is co-author of the NGMN white paper on 5G, which defined the requirements for 5G and gave a first outlook on technology building blocks and architecture. Within Vodafone Germany’s Strategy and Digital team, Ralf  is trying to develop new business with technology innovation –  in the areas of  Public Safety, Connected Driving and Industry 4.0, and others.