Transforming airports with private networks

Connectivity is an essential enabler for the digital transformation of airports. But in many cases, legacy networks and proprietary solutions are making it difficult for airports to digitalize, automate and support innovative new services. To ensure the necessary connectivity for all the assets, goods, staff and passengers within their ecosystem, airport operators need to find a smart and efficient way to modernize their telecommunications infrastructure. Private 4G and 5G networks are the ideal solution.

May 17, 2022 | 2 min.

Adam Schipper

Global Vertical Lead- Aviation, Ericsson

Stefan Krijnen

Global Head of Aviation Business Development and Partnerships

Hashtags

#privatenetworks #5G

May 17, 2022 | 2 min.

Adam Schipper

Global Vertical Lead- Aviation, Ericsson

Stefan Krijnen

Global Head of Aviation Business Development and Partnerships

Adam Schipper

Global Vertical Lead- Aviation, Ericsson

Contributor (+1)

Stefan Krijnen

Global Head of Aviation Business Development and Partnerships

Hashtags

#privatenetworks #5G

In many ways, a major airport is like a small city: a complex community of tens of thousands of people supported by a wide range of applications that depend on telecommunication networks to function smoothly. The primary stakeholders in the airport ecosystem have different but closely interconnected expectations:

Airport authorities want to ensure smooth operation and orchestration of all actors at the airport – landside, terminal and airside.
Airlines want to continuously optimize their operations, ensure safety and security, and improve passenger satisfaction.
Passengers want to avoid the inconvenience of lineups and lost luggage, and have fast and easy access to a full range of digital services tailored to meet their personal needs.
Tenants and other service providers want to provide innovative new services to passengers, visitors and all the people who work at the airport.

Many of the technology solutions needed to meet these stakeholder expectations already exist. For example, there are IoT applications that can continuously track luggage, but they require the support of a wireless network that is available without interruption. More widespread use of biometric and digital ID solutions are available to enhance the passenger experience, but they too place very high demands on the network, particularly in terms of flexibility, latency and security. Looking further ahead, the ability to expand the use of autonomous vehicles and robots in airports will also depend heavily on the availability of reliable, low-latency connectivity.

The most efficient way for an airport to meet the specific needs of passengers, airlines, operations, tenants and others is to use a private network to supplement current communications platforms.

Delivering cutting-edge connectivity with private networks

A private network is isolated from the public network and custom-built to meet the communication needs of a particular enterprise – in this case an airport – using the same standards-based technology as public wireless networks (4G/5G radio and dual mode core technology).

Private networks are the ideal way to enable digitalization and automation in airports because they serve as a highly secure and robust communication backbone that is designed to support rapid adoption of new and emerging technologies. Private networks are particularly useful for airport use cases that require mobility, reliability, deterministic performance, Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), high security, isolation, and QoS for both indoor and outdoor coverage. The highest priority use cases for most airports tend to be:

Airport operational communication systems
Tracking assets and goods
Security and safety
Baggage tracking
Biometric check-in and boarding.

With a private network in place, an airport has the ability to separate operational and passenger usage and traffic among networks, which is essential for security, safety and privacy reasons. Moving the bulk of the operational traffic to the private network also frees up more bandwidth for public Wi-Fi.

Beyond delivering connectivity that is second to none, the major advantage of private networks in the airport ecosystem is that they give airport operators full visibility and control over their wireless infrastructure – from planning and deployment to operations and upgrades. As a result, private networks make it easier for airport operators to manage their own assets more efficiently.

Seizing the opportunity

The ongoing digital transformation of business and society will fundamentally change the way airports operate and serve their stakeholders. To meet rising expectations, airport operators need to decide how and when to modernize their communications infrastructure. The new and emerging digital services and automation solutions that airlines, passengers and tenants want and need require connectivity that is secure, fast, available everywhere and always up and running. Private 4G/5G networks are the obvious solution.