LMT, LVR Fleet successfully trial 5G technology in the Baltic Sea

In partnership with LVR Fleet, Latvian mobile innovator (LMT) has successfully tested a 5G technology maritime idea that could provide 5G connectivity over open waters. The testing took place as part of the terms of the June 2022 cooperative memorandum agreed by LMT and the LVR Fleet. The trial showed continuous 5G shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship connection and was carried out on the Daugava River in Riga. Using a terrestrial network, a 5G connection was made with a ship, and the 5G network connectivity was successfully transferred from the ship to the end user.

LMT and LVR Fleet will move on to a large-scale trial of the 5G technology maritime concept in the Baltic Sea in November 2023 after the experiment is successful.

The multi-hop principle is used in the 5G technology maritime concept, which allows communication between ships and between shores to be possible in the ocean. The 5G network signal is transmitted from one ship to another. A 5G network and 5G base station are envisioned to be installed on the ship.

In conjunction with 5G non-terrestrial networks to cover international waterways and short-range networks from land stations, it has the potential to enable numerous new 5G use cases, improving the safety and efficiency of traffic, travel, and transportation on open waters.