The Accelleran team had the privilege of exhibiting in PortComms 2024 held in London on October 9th and 10th. This event, dedicated to wireless networks in port environments, brought together port operators, industry experts, and innovators to redefine the future of maritime connectivity.

This event was sponsored by Boldyn Networks, China Mobile International, Cocus, Druid Software, Telecom TV, Three Group Solutions, and the Wireless Broadband Alliance.

Unlike the larger conferences we’ve attended before, PortComms is a focused forum that zeroes in on the unique communication challenges and opportunities within port settings.

What We Discovered

Our mission at PortComms wasn’t just to showcase our own existing Private 5G deployments in ports. We sought to listen, understand, and engage deeply with port managers from all sectors. Here’s what resonated with us:

Ports are the lifelines of global trade, operating around the clock. Any network downtime isn’t just inconvenient—it’s critical. Constantly highlighted throughout the presentations at this event was the risk to security. If we take the United Kingdom or Ireland, for example, significant disruption to ports could lead to food insecurity in a matter of weeks. Any solution deployed in this space needs to be designed with security at its core. Secure networks are the bedrock upon which trust, and efficiency are built.

In many cases, ports already have existing connectivity solutions such as Wi-Fi. New solutions must harmonise with current infrastructures. Operators are looking for technologies that integrate smoothly, minimising disruption during deployment and maximising efficiency.

Of course, many of those in attendance had already deployed Private 5G solutions in their ports and were present to explain both the positives and the challenges encountered during the process. Common challenges mentioned included the complexity of integrating 5G with legacy systems, ensuring robust coverage in areas with heavy metal structures like cranes and containers, and navigating regulatory hurdles. Despite these hurdles, it was clear that the effort was well worth it, especially due to the vast potential of IoT devices that can be integrated once the network is in place. From real-time asset tracking to predictive maintenance of port equipment, the benefits of a fully connected port ecosystem are a game-changer for operational efficiency. The conversations reinforced our belief that technology must serve real-world needs, addressing the challenges ports face every day.

Accelleran at PortComms

As mentioned previously, we have experience deploying in a port environment, as demonstrated in our case study below. We are always seeking new partners and systems integrators to collaborate with, to advance our solution further and bring true digital transformation to your enterprise.