Private 5G Networks Power Autonomous Operations at UK Port

The deployment of private 5G networks at the Port of Felixstowe, Harwich International Port and London Thamesport represents a significant milestone in industrial connectivity technology.

Three Group Solutions has completed the rollout of advanced wireless infrastructure designed to enable automation and data-intensive operations across Hutchison Ports' UK assets.

The network delivers ultra-reliable, high-capacity and low-latency connectivity engineered specifically for mission-critical industrial applications.

Unlike public mobile networks, this dedicated system operates entirely within Hutchison Ports' cybersecurity perimeter, providing the performance characteristics required for autonomous operations at scale.

Felixstowe, the UK's largest container port, now shares a unified connectivity platform with Harwich International and London Thamesport. This architecture improves operational efficiency and resilience across geographically-distributed facilities whilst supporting applications that demand consistent and predictable wireless performance.

The technology is intended to underpin autonomous electric trucks, remote-controlled cranes and data-rich systems integral to Hutchison Ports' digital transformation strategy.

Parallel network architecture enables continuity

Upgrading connectivity in live port environments presented technical challenges that required careful network design. Three Group Solutions engineered the new 5G system to operate in parallel with the existing 4G infrastructure, using separate blocks of radio spectrum to eliminate interference between networks.

This approach enabled vehicles and machinery to be migrated in controlled phases, with performance monitored throughout the transition. The strategy ensured continuity of operations across all three ports whilst the upgrade progressed.

The parallel network strategy also provided a safety net during deployment, allowing immediate fallback to the proven 4G system if any issues emerged. This redundancy gave operational teams confidence to proceed with testing autonomous systems whilst maintaining full port functionality.

Graham Wilde, Head of Private Networks at Three Group Solutions, says: "When you are dealing with the connectivity that keeps the country's largest container port moving, you cannot simply turn one network off and another on. By running the 4G and 5G systems in parallel and moving assets in stages, we were able to deliver a smooth transition with no disruption to daily operations."

The coexistence strategy highlights technical considerations when upgrading critical infrastructure where operational continuity is essential.

Autonomous vehicles demand advanced connectivity

A primary driver for the infrastructure upgrade is Hutchison Ports' plan to introduce autonomous electric trucks at Felixstowe, replacing a significant proportion of the existing diesel fleet.

These vehicles require continuous connectivity, very low latency to enable safe remote intervention and sufficient bandwidth to support multiple live video feeds when operators need enhanced situational awareness.

The previous 4G system delivered reliable connectivity for work instructions to tablets in vehicle cabs, but was not engineered to support autonomous operations at scale. The new private 5G network provides the performance and predictability required to underpin next-generation automated systems.

The enhanced network capacity also enables real-time monitoring of vehicle health, route optimisation and coordination between multiple autonomous units operating simultaneously. This level of connectivity transforms how port logistics can be managed and optimised.

According to Graham, automation in ports is not about putting people out of work. "It is about changing the jobs people do. Roles become safer, more varied and more attractive, which makes it easier to recruit and retain the talent ports need for the future," he explains.

Scalable infrastructure supports future applications

Working with specialist technology partners, Three Group Solutions has delivered a resilient and scalable 5G architecture featuring dual cores, overlapping radio coverage and diverse links between the three port locations. The network has been engineered to maintain operations even if individual sites or radio towers are taken offline for maintenance or in the event of a fault.

Whilst autonomous horizontal transport is the first major application, the platform has been designed to support a wide range of future use cases.

These could include extending remote control to additional machinery such as cranes, deploying sensors for predictive maintenance, using drones for inspection and environmental monitoring and integrating real-time data into digital twins of port operations.

The modular architecture allows new applications to be added without requiring fundamental changes to the core network infrastructure. This future-proofing approach protects Hutchison Ports' investment whilst enabling rapid adoption of emerging technologies as they become commercially viable.

"The capability of the new network means that possibilities for the future are only really limited by the imagination of what could be done," says Graham.

"Felixstowe, Harwich and Thamesport now have a dedicated 5G foundation for the next decade of innovation. This project shows how private 5G, delivered and managed by Three Group Solutions, can combine resilience, performance and flexibility at industrial scale."

The technology platform demonstrates how private 5G networks can be engineered to support industrial automation whilst providing the architectural flexibility required for emerging applications in smart port operations.