Mobile network operator Verizon, working in partnership with Nokia, has agreed a deal with Associated British Ports (ABP) to deploy 5G connectivity at the Port of Southampton, making it the first UK mainland port to have access to a private 5G network.
ABP operates a network of 21 ports, including the Port of Southampton, which is the UK’s number one port for cars and cruise, handling approximately 900,000 cars and welcoming millions of cruise passengers annually.
“Verizon’s private 5G is the foundation for a completely dedicated edge compute infrastructure, enabling ultra-low latency at the premise, higher levels of security and deeper customisation for our partners,” said Tami Erwin, CEO, Verizon Business.
“Businesses such as ABP are coming under more pressure to evolve their services at tremendous speeds in order to take advantage of new commercial opportunities. Along with Nokia, we have been able to equip ABP to take advantage of the immediate benefits private 5G offers, and most importantly prepare the Port of Southampton to take full advantage of new technology applications and real-time analytics which will digitally transform its services in the future.”
The 5G platform will provide ABP with a private wireless data network across selected areas within the East and West Docks of the Port, allowing data communications to be consolidated onto a single network.
Verizon Business announced the launch of its international private 5G platform for global enterprises located in Europe and Asia-Pacific in October 2020. The network operates on Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud, an application platform providing private wireless connectivity and local edge computing.
“The 5G opportunity will be fully realised with Industry 4.0 as spectrum opens up and private 5G networks go into operation at industrial sites around the world,” said Brian Fitzgerald, SVP Verizon Business Group, Nokia.
“We are committed to enabling our strategic partner Verizon Business to expand its 5G global footprint with enterprise customers such as ABP; by providing unprecedented levels of support to drive success for private 5G as well as delivering the highest levels of performance, resilience and security required by its customers.”
