In a significant development, the newly unified Fastweb+Vodafone is set to introduce a private 5G network at the Port of Ravenna, Italy. Partnering with the Italian software firm Lepida, this initiative aims to turn Ravenna into a ‘smart port.’ The network will completely cover the port, which stretches along a 15km canal, offering high-speed, low-latency connectivity.
This upgrade facilitates the deployment of autonomous vehicles, drones, and real-time monitoring of Internet of Things (IoT) systems. Such advancements become critical in enhancing crucial operations like video surveillance, cargo monitoring, and more. IoT will also support renewable energy integration with solar and wind systems while enabling real-time fuel consumption tracking and environmental data gathering to align with local protection strategies.
The new connectivity infrastructure aligns with enhancing logistics, safety, and sustainability. Notably, Ravenna handles significant solid bulk and general cargo operations and is undergoing a €10 million digital transformation.
This project marks one of the first major enterprise initiatives since the merger of Fastweb and Vodafone. Fastweb’s parent company, Swisscom, acquired Vodafone Italia for €8 billion earlier this year. Consequently, the merger has created one of Europe’s largest telecom entities, boasting about 20 million mobile customers and 5.6 million fixed-line connections.
The advantages of this deployment are apparent. It provides ultra-fast connectivity, revolutionizing operations at the port, potentially setting a benchmark for similar smart port projects globally. However, it also comes with significant financial commitment and requires seamless coordination between stakeholders to execute efficiently.
