Valenciaport to Develop Independent 5G Network – Cruise Industry News

Valenciaport is launching its independent 5G network to operate without relying on external telecommunications providers, according to a press release.

The private network to be developed will connect over 25,000 devices, including phones, vehicles, surveillance cameras, environmental sensors, drones and security services. The project is designed to support the Port of València’s digital transformation and establish it as a leading Smart Port, also known as Port 4.0.

Director of the Port Authority of València (PAV), Enrique Belda, said: ”5G will allow us to configure the technological future of the Port of València, a future that will provide advanced connectivity for the improvement of innovation and the definitive digital transformation.”

The port’s 5G network will operate on n40 frequencies regulated by public authorities, ensuring network privacy within the port and enabling customized security to manage connected devices. Over 15 n40 base stations will be deployed with up to three sectors each, providing near-total coverage of the Port Authority’s areas of operation.

The project, which has a budget of nearly €6 million, is co-funded by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

Javier Gallego, head of Technologies at the PAV, said: ‘Our 5G SA network is one of the fundamental pillars to achieve the goal of becoming a definitive smart Port, based on two pillars: security and mobility.”

The solution will feature a private core, Radio Access Network (RAN), and routing/switching components, supporting speeds up to 10 Gbps and at least 25,000 connected devices. It will operate on the n40 frequency band (2.3–2.4 GHz) with an initial 20 MHz bandwidth, expandable to 40 MHz.

To test the network, two use cases, one for “police surveillance” and one for “remote maintenance,” will be developed. 

Valenciaport plans to use its 5G network to enable advanced services, including passenger connectivity, digital twins, intelligent surveillance, collision risk detection and stowage planning.

 Joan Meseguer Llopis, senior manager of innovation projects at the Valenciaport Foundation, said: “This is a pioneering project in Europe, coordinated by the Valenciaport Foundation, which is distinguished by the combination of three key features: the size of the port, the comprehensive implementation of 5G technology and the exclusive use of the radio spectrum available under the self-provisioning model.”