A high-performance private 5G campus network has gone into operation at the Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA). HHLA implemented the infrastructure together with Deutsche Telekom and Ericsson as part of the "PROCON 5G" project. Since the end of May 2026, the network has been supplying an area of over one square kilometer (.3 square miles) and forms the basis for central logistics processes, real-time applications and a digital test field for innovations in the port.
The 5G campus network is specially designed to meet the requirements of a highly automated container terminal. It networks vehicles, sensors, mobile devices and IT systems in real time. The architecture, based on Ericsson Private 5G, enables stable and high-performance communication, even at high-capacity utilization and can be flexibly expanded – both at the site and for future applications or other areas. The network will be operated as a dedicated 5G campus network in the locally allocated frequency spectrum, independent of public mobile communications.
Michael Albers, HHLA Project Manager: "With the 5G campus network, we now have a high-performance and stable radio infrastructure on which we can test new applications realistically and put them directly into operation. At the same time, we can test and further develop solutions with our partners under real conditions in our terminal. For us, this is an important step towards driving forward the networking and automation of the CTA in a targeted manner."
Klaus Werner, Managing Director Business Customers Telekom Deutschland: "With the 5G campus network at Container Terminal Altenwerder, we are taking an important step forward in the digitalization of port logistics together with HHLA. The solution shows how modern mobile communications technology makes complex processes more efficient, transparent and flexible."
Duncan Hawkins, Vice President, Europe, Middle East & Africa Enterprise Sales, Ericsson: “Ports everywhere are accelerating their digital transformation, and private 5G has become a key enabler for resilient, efficient logistics. This dedicated 5G campus network, powered by Ericsson Private 5G and implemented with Deutsche Telekom, provides secure, high-performance connectivity for autonomous transport, real-time video and sensor-driven processes while serving as a PROCON-5G test field for new applications. It creates a scalable blueprint for the next generation of smart port operations in Germany and beyond.”
Funding and partners
In addition to the technical implementation by Telekom and Ericsson, HHLA was supported by other partners: The radio network planning and tendering were carried out with the support of the Centre for Digital Development GmbH (ZDE). Lufthansa Industry Solutions (LHIND) took on tasks in project management, while Hamburg Port Consulting GmbH (HPC) was responsible for funding management.
PROCON5G is part of the "Digital Test Fields in Ports" funding guideline. In this way, the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) supports the development of digital infrastructures for testing innovative technologies. The project sponsor is TÜV Rheinland. Further information: www.digitest-hafen.de