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LMT, in conjunction with technical port services provider LVR Fleet, has successfully completed a trial that aims to bring 5G to the Baltic Sea.

The trial – conducted on the Daugava River in Riga, Latvia – showcased seamless 5G communication from shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship. The maritime concept shows how 5G connectivity can be achieved over open waters.

The concept operates on the multi-hop principle, where the 5G network signal is relayed from one ship to another to enable effective shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communication on the open sea. A 5G network and base station deployed on the ship were coupled with short-range networks from land stations and 5G non-terrestrial networks.

Following this accomplishment, LMT and LVR Fleet are set to undertake an extensive trial of the 5G maritime concept in the Baltic Sea this November. The trial is the first step in revolutionising maritime communication and making open-water travel safer and more efficient.

Arturs Lindenbergs, Mobility Innovation Lead at LMT, said:

“In the near future, maritime 5G networks will allow various innovations, such as autonomous ships or UAV drones for remote control. Even though 5G connectivity has already begun to enable the maritime digitalisation ecosystem, it still requires a lot of testing.
The Baltic Sea and its region is a suitable space for such trials, and we are eager to embrace this innovation potential.”

Enabling 5G coverage over vast open waters has proven challenging, with industry-wide trials facing limited success. Therefore, the recent achievement by LMT and LVR Fleet represents a significant step towards enabling reliable 5G connectivity at sea.

This novel 5G technology maritime concept could transform the Baltic Sea into a testing ground for pioneering maritime innovations, bringing about a new era in maritime connectivity and communication.

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About the Author

Ryan Daws

Senior Editor

Ryan Daws is a senior editor at TechForge Media with over a decade of experience in crafting compelling narratives and making complex topics accessible. His articles and interviews with industry leaders have earned him recognition as a key influencer by organisations like Onalytica. Under his leadership, publications have been praised by analyst firms such as Forrester for their excellence and performance. Connect with him on X (@gadget_ry), Bluesky (@gadgetry.bsky.social), and/or Mastodon (@gadgetry@techhub.social)