HT's project to build 5G networks for three airports receives EU co-financing

 

The ‘NextGen 5G Airports’ project of Hrvatski Telekom has been selected for co-financing under the CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) program of the European Commission, in fierce competition from 28 projects from across the European Union. This will give Croatia the first three smart airports for which Hrvatski Telekom will build 5G private networks. The total value of the investment is 5.6 million euros, of which 3.09 million euros are grants.

 

Greater efficiency and security

Hrvatski Telekom, as the lead partner, within the CEF Digital sub-programme, the Call ‘5G large scale pilots – 5G and Edge for Smart Communities – Works’, has applied for ‘NextGen 5G Airports’ in a consortium with the airports of Zagreb, Zadar and Pula, the company Markoja and the Faculty of Transport and Communications Sciences in Zagreb. The project activities include investing in the construction of a private 5G network in the airport area, which will enable increased operational efficiency, security and a better user experience. ‘NextGen 5G Airports’ is only the fourth project with a focus on airport infrastructure co-financed through CEF Digital. Out of a total of 128 co-financed projects under the first three Calls, three airport projects were co-financed at the EU level. One of the main advantages of implementing private 5G networks in airports is that they provide a complete solution in which Hrvatski Telekom takes full responsibility for network management. This approach ensures a stable and reliable communication network for airports, and airport operators are enabled to digitize services faster and more effectively.

 

Transformation of airports

Furthermore, private 5G networks significantly increase the safety and reliability of airport operations. The flexibility of the networks allows adaptation to the specific requirements of each airline, operator or user, providing them with an infrastructure that exactly matches their needs.

Investments in private 5G networks enable the transformation of Croatian airports and greater readiness for future challenges and opportunities, while ensuring a superior user experience. The European Union is financing up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of large-scale pilot projects for the next generation of 5G networks, which combine advanced connectivity with edge computing capacities in sectors such as healthcare, education, transport and agriculture. The remaining 25 percent in this project represents investments by Hrvatski Telekom and other partners in the consortium.