In a significant development for maritime communications, the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and a consortium of industry leaders have successfully demonstrated a cutting-edge solution to extend high-speed, low-latency 5G connectivity beyond coastal regions.
This achievement, part of the EU-funded 5G-ROUTES project, marks a significant leap towards enhancing maritime connectivity, improving vessel operations, safety, and the passenger experience at sea.
While 5G has revolutionized communications on land, achieving similar connectivity at sea has remained a challenge. Most vessels lose signal as they move further from shore. The trial, conducted near Turku, Finland, introduced a multi-hop5G solution that extends coverage up to 10 kilometers offshore, filling a critical gap in maritime communication.
The trial, led by VTT with support from Vediafi Oy, Cumucore, Airbus, and major telecom companies including Ericsson, Nokia, Digita, DNA, Telia, and Goodmill Systems, demonstrated a seamless integration of public 5G networks, private vessel-to-vessel 5G communications, and satellite connections to ensure continuous coverage as vessels move farther from the coastline.
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Breakthrough in Maritime 5G Connectivity and Applications
The system works by using a combination of public 5G NSA (Non-Standalone) networks for coastal coverage, private 5G SA (Standalone) networks for onboard communication, and satellite connections as a backup. During testing on the Turku-Stockholm maritime corridor, the system enabled reliable, high-bandwidth data transfer between two vessels—one close to shore, the other 10 kilometers offshore. The trial successfully supported various real-time applications, from video streaming and virtual reality collaboration tools to multiplayer gaming between vessels.
Anne Lönnqvist, Research Manager at VTT, commented, “This was a groundbreaking multi-hop test of 5G networks in a maritime environment. The project aims to solve the coverage and capacity challenges for data transmission at sea, to allow the creation of new solutions for the passengers and the whole maritime industry.”
Lasse Nykänen, Project Director at Vediafi Oy, highlighted the breakthrough’s potential, “These maritime tests were an excellent opportunity to develop new 5G applications and services for the sea cluster. It was great to see that the technology is ready; the next step is to find a commercial implementation model.”
The trials also showcased how the new system could improve navigation and logistics, including the ability to detect and report satellite positioning disturbances using the 5G network.
Looking ahead, the 5G-ROUTES project partners are focused on expanding the commercial viability of these solutions, aiming to boost vessel automation, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the overall passenger experience at sea. This successful demonstration signals a pivotal moment in the evolution of connected shipping and sets the stage for the future of maritime 5G technology.
