Last year, a man gained unauthorized access to New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, India’s busiest airport. The pilots of a flight that had just landed spotted him walking casually near the runway and taxiways, very close to moving aircraft. The airport is secured by a high perimeter wall, but that wasn’t a deterrent for the intruder, who somehow managed to scale it and enter the secure airfield area.
Incidents where people and vehicles breach airports’ secure perimeters are becoming all too common, posing a threat to airline passengers and employees. Many airports are now looking at how to strengthen the access points that dot their perimeters.
One of the ways they’re doing this is by implementing a private 5G solution. In this article, we turn the spotlight on private 5G and explore how it’s revolutionizing daily operations in airports and maritime ports.
Understanding private 5G
5G, the fifth generation of cellular wireless technology, is the new standard for mobile communications. It offers lower latency, faster data transfer, greater reliability and the capacity to carry a greater number of connections.
Private 5G is a dedicated 5G network designed to use licensed spectrum to serve a specific organization rather than being part of a larger public network operated by traditional mobile carriers. These high-speed private networks can be precisely architected to meet an organization’s unique needs while delivering unprecedented levels of security, reliability, performance and control without the risk of interference from neighboring networks, unlike Wi-Fi.
Private 5G: a game changer for airport safety
Private 5G solutions are changing the game for airport safety.
Until recently, to comply with government and air-force requirements, most airports/airfields assigned guards to inspect their perimeter fences several times a day for signs of damage or cuts, traces of people having crossed the fence and or any objects leaning against the fence. As you can imagine, this approach is costly and time-consuming. It also does not provide a full picture of perimeter security — but surveillance technologies enabled by private 5G can.
Camera systems can be mounted on automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to monitor an airport’s perimeter. Able to function in all weather conditions, these systems stream video and use machine vision to detect deviations in real time. They can quickly distinguish minor changes from significant ones and report anomalies to security personnel for manual intervention and more detailed inspection.
Airports can also use private 5G video surveillance to detect unknown objects in their facilities and uncover cracks in runways or flaws in lighting infrastructure that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
And these are just some of the compelling benefits private 5G networks in airports can deliver.
Real-time monitoring and communication improve operational efficiency
Private 5G speeds up aircraft turnaround times by improving the quality and reliability of communication between ground staff. Every step, from landing to takeoff, can now be coordinated more efficiently.
With real-time monitoring and automation, baggage handling becomes more reliable, significantly reducing the chances of lost or delayed luggage.
Private 5G improves turnaround times for airlines by establishing wireless communication with aircraft the moment they touch down instead of waiting for wired data transfer at the gate. That means more proactive maintenance of aircraft and a greater likelihood of on-time departures.
De-stressing the passenger experience
Private 5G makes traveling less stressful for passengers as it keeps smart queue-management systems reliably connected, shortening waiting times at check-in, security checkpoints and boarding gates.
Private 5G networks improve passenger transfer times and lower operating cost for airports by enabling self-driving shuttles through reliable and secure communications with remote operations control centers. This means an airport can offer more reliable and timely transfers between terminals, at a lower cost, in a demanding environment that operates around the clock.
Automation and innovation
Private 5G is fueling advances in automation and innovation at airports by facilitating the use of AGVs/AMRs for tasks such as passenger transport, baggage handling, airport sanitation and other essential services, reducing the need for manual labor.
The technology also supports augmented reality applications that can be used for passenger assistance, staff training and maintenance tasks.
Spotlight on private 5G in port environments
Like airports, seaports (ports) are designated as critical infrastructure, where the application of technology to solve problems is considered mission critical. These global transportation and logistics hubs have complex infrastructure and stringent safety and security protocols, making them ideal environments for implementing private 5G solutions.
Let’s look at some of the compelling use cases for private 5G in ports:
Smart berth management
With 5G-enabled sensors and data analytics, ports can improve berth allocation and usage based on real-time data on vessel traffic. This reduces waiting times and congestion.
Cargo monitoring
A private 5G network helps optimize loading and unloading processes with real-time identification, tracking and monitoring of cargo. Ultra-low latency and high bandwidth mean port authorities can check cargo movements with unprecedented speed and precision, leading to better coordination and fewer bottlenecks.
Container transportation
Private 5G-enabled AGVs transport cargo containers autonomously, reducing reliance on manual labor in dangerous settings. This reduces the potential for accidents that can threaten the health and safety of port workers and disrupt continuous operations.
Environmental monitoring
IoT sensors connected to the private 5G network can monitor air and water quality, noise levels and other environmental parameters, helping port authorities meet regulatory requirements and achieve sustainability goals.
Group wireless communications systems
Often referred to as push-to-talk, these systems enable reliable and instant communication among port workers in scattered locations and ship to shore. Private 5G eliminates the need for a separate voice device and delivers the low latency workers need to connect with each other without delays and coordinate actions quickly. In addition to group calling and messaging, the technology provides real-time location tracking, making it easier for port operators to manage tasks and respond to emergencies quickly.
Enable your connected future with NTT DATA
Working with NTT DATA, you benefit from a complete private 5G solution: a custom-built private 5G network designed specifically for your organization’s use cases and challenges, which can be deployed, run and optimized as a fully managed Network-as-a-Service (NaaS).
We design the simplest architecture for you, avoiding the many unnecessary functions built into carrier networks and delivering a lightweight solution with fewer technical overheads. The network is designed to learn from your environment and adapt to changing needs over time.
And, by taking responsibility for network implementation, rollout, management and improvement (including managing security and compliance), we free you up to concentrate on using your applications to deliver maximum value to your organization.
Welcome to a whole new chapter in harnessing the power of digital transformation … finally.