The Spanish telecom group MasOrange has announced that the deployment of its 5G Standalone (SA) network at the Port of Barcelona is now operational. This project marks a substantial leap forward in providing advanced mobility services across the port area and its users.
Last July, Orange revealed their plan to develop a 5G SA virtual private network for the port. This ambitious project aims to ensure ultra-low latency, crucial for operating high-precision machinery like cranes. Implementing this 5G infrastructure required integrating 5G SA architecture into the existing network infrastructure at the port.
With an estimated investment of 3.6 million euros ($3.9 million) over five years, the network aims to improve real-time operations and provide vast capacity and scalability. This will enable the connection of a multitude of sensors and devices. Enhanced connectivity will facilitate real-time location tracking of ships, merchandise, and other assets. Additionally, the network will offer voice and data services to companies and users within the port.
Immediate benefits of this deployment include a robust support network during main system failures and the efficient installation of cameras and sensors in fiber-optic inaccessible areas. The 5G SA network covers the entire port area and extends for two nautical miles, offering comprehensive coverage.
The port police and other security and emergency services in the port also stand to gain significantly from this new infrastructure. According to MasOrange, the high capacity and reliability of the network will allow seamless communication among agents and real-time access to the 400 CCTV cameras throughout the port. Moreover, aerial surveillance drones connected to the 5G network will enhance port security.
Lluís Salvadó, president of the Port of Barcelona, remarked, “The deployment of this new 5G SA network is a pioneering project in Europe and will make the Port of Barcelona a more efficient and innovative infrastructure, putting the necessary technology at the service of its clients.”
