Port of Gioia Tauro Secures €2 Million for 5G Network Funding to Drive Port Digital Transformation

en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 25th, The Southern Tyrrhenian and Ionian Sea Port Authority in Italy has recently won a public tender, securing approximately €2 million in funding for the development of a 5G network at the Port of Gioia Tauro. This funding, provided by the Fund for Technological Innovation and Digitalization managed by the Italian Ministry of Digital Transformation, will support digital transformation projects within the port area.

The Port Authority led the tender evaluation with a high score of 94 points to receive the grant. The project plans to build an independent 5G private network at the Port of Gioia Tauro, utilizing a small cell architecture in the 3.7 GHz frequency band. This 5G network will serve as dedicated telecommunications infrastructure, physically and logically separated from public networks, giving the Port Authority full control over data management and network performance.

This 5G network architecture is designed to provide high-speed wireless connectivity, low latency, and the capability to manage thousands of devices simultaneously. To address challenges of signal reflection and attenuation caused by metal structures, containers, and cranes in the port environment, the project integrates radio frequency antenna units with fiber optic connections, reducing infrastructure complexity and improving reliability and coverage consistency.

Initial applications will focus on security and operational management, creating dedicated virtual networks for video surveillance, logistics operations, and personnel communication. The 5G infrastructure is also designed as a platform to support future services, such as smart logistics, autonomous vehicle operations, and augmented reality applications.

The funding originates from Italy's digital agenda framework, which encompasses the national ultra-broadband strategy, the AI strategic plan, and digitalization for public administration and enterprises. Port Authority President Paolo Piacenza stated, "This result is a significant achievement, positioning the Port of Gioia Tauro at the forefront of the digitalization process in Italian ports."