Latvian mobile innovator and telecom operator LMT, in partnership with Latvian port technical services provider LVR Fleet, has successfully demonstrated a cutting-edge 5G maritime connectivity concept. This demonstration highlighted seamless 5G network connectivity from shore to ship, between ships, and between ships and drones, enabling uninterrupted communication at sea. The event, held on 11 July 2024 at the Port of Riga, marked the first comprehensive demonstration of this technology.
The demonstration showcased the 5G multi-hop principle, ensuring communication between multiple LVR Fleet vessels. A pilot boat, DORE, provided stable 5G network connectivity, demonstrated through its communication with the Latvian icebreaker ship, VARMA. Additionally, a floating drone, OTTER, transmitted seabed measurements and remote video footage of the water’s surface. LMT’s aerial 5G drone facilitated video transmission, enhancing visibility. The established 5G connectivity also enabled real-time data transfer, crucial for the maritime industry.
Attendees observed the 5G network connectivity metrics from the VARMA’s deck, including local industry representatives and delegations from the ports of Lübeck, Kiel, and Hamburg. Several maritime logistics companies and European ports have expressed interest in collaborating with LMT and LVR Fleet to further develop the 5G maritime connectivity solution.
“The sea presents a challenge for high-quality, high-speed communications that can be successfully addressed with 5G-powered technologies,” explained Juris Binde, President of LMT. “The deployment of maritime 5G networks and solutions has the potential to enable fast data transmission in circumstances where vast amounts of data need to be transmitted from ship to ship or from ship to port in a short time, as traditional data transmission methods do not allow the necessary speed. It’s our immense honour to be the first to present this innovative technology and witness interest from potential export partners already.”
The 5G maritime connectivity concept involves passing the 5G network signal from one ship to another, enabling shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communication at sea. This concept envisions a 5G network and base station deployed on the ship, complemented by short-range networks from land stations and 5G non-terrestrial networks to cover international waters. This combination enables numerous new 5G use cases, enhancing the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic, travel, and transport.
This demonstration follows earlier trials in 2023, when the 5G maritime connectivity concept was successfully tested on the Daugava River in Riga, Latvia. Additionally, the solution was tested in the Baltic Sea, providing stable 5G connectivity up to 53 km from the base station. The recent demonstration was conducted as part of a collaboration memorandum between LMT and LVR Fleet, signed in June 2022.
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