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5G TECHNOLOGY FOR MARITIME

Private 5G Networks for Maritime Operations

Telecom26 enables vessels to operate like connected industrial sites at sea with secure, high-performance Private 5G Networks.

Up to 1 Gbps

Download speed

<10

msLatency

99.99%

Uptime SLA

Connectivity Challenges in Maritime Operations

Maritime operations still face high satellite costs, unstable connectivity and limited control over onboard networks. As fleets become more digital, these limitations impact operations, crew welfare and real-time decision-making.

The Problem

Legacy connectivity cannot support modern maritime operations .

Today's vessels require always-on, high-bandwidth, secure connectivity. Existing Wi-Fi and satellite solutions were designed for a different era — and they are holding back the digital transformation of maritime operations.

    ❌   Unreliable Wi-Fi - High latency and frequent dropouts disrupt real-time operations and crew communications.

    ❌   Heavy cabling - Complex, costly installations limit flexibility and increase maintenance overhead.

    ❌   No real-time visibility - No unified view of vessel systems, cargo, crew, and equipment status.

    ❌   Security gaps - Legacy satellite systems lack modern encryption — exposing critical operations to cyber threats.

    The maritime industry is digitalising — connectivity must evolve with it.

The Solution

Private 5G onboard: dedicated, secure, built for maritime.

Telecom26 delivers a dedicated Private 5G Network installed directly on your vessel — under your control, managed end-to-end by our team.

  • Dedicated onboard network - Compact, ruggedised 5G infrastructure. Autonomous ship-wide coverage.
  • Up to 1 Gbps / <10 ms latency - Consistent bandwidth and ultra-low latency for safety and automation.
  • Full data sovereignty - Private architecture — data never leaves the vessel unless you choose.
  • Satellite / hybrid backhaul - Multi-path connectivity with automatic failover ensures continuity at sea and in port.
  • Edge computing (MEC) - Local AI analytics, video surveillance, and real-time processing — no backhaul dependency.

Why Private 5G vs Traditional Connectivity

Why Private 5G — not Wi-Fi?

Comparison Table

Feature Legacy Wi-Fi Telecom26 Private 5G
Authentication Open / Password SIM-based (enterprise-grade)
Latency 50–200 ms <10 ms
Interference High (shared spectrum) None (licensed/CBRS)
Coverage Dead zones indoors Seamless ship-wide
Security Vulnerable 3GPP encryption + QoS isolation
Scalability Limited Millions of IoT devices/km²
Traffic isolation No Yes — dedicated slices per use case

Who uses private networks?

Private 5G networks are used by maritime operators looking to improve connectivity, reduce costs and gain full control over onboard communications.
Typical users include:
- Commercial shipping fleets
- Offshore energy operators
- Port authorities and logistics hubs
- Maritime service providers. 

What's included?

Telecom26 provides a complete, end-to-end private network solution:
- Network design and deployment onboard vessels or offshore sites
- Integration with cellular and satellite connectivity
- Secure routing via Telecom26 core network
- Private APN and VPN configuration
- Ongoing support and optimisation

Pilot Programme

Start with a controlled pilot deployment.
We work with you to define a use case, deploy a private network on one or more vessels, and validate performance before scaling across your fleet. 

Test Private 5G in real environment.

Low-risk approach.

USE CASES

Telecom26 Private 5G Networks support a wide range of maritime use cases, particularly for industrial and offshore vessels. What can you do with Private 5G onboard?

Autonomous & Remote Operations

Enable real-time control of remote-operated machinery (ROVs), autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), and drone-based inspection systems.

Ultra-low latency (<10 ms)

Digital Ship & Industrial IoT

Predictive maintenance, real-time cargo monitoring, and high-density IoT deployments up to 1 million devices/km².

Data-driven operations. 

Crew Safety & Monitoring

Wearable devices, man-down detection, automated alerts, and AR-assisted remote maintenance support.

Enhanced safety protocols.

Passenger Connectivity

High-speed vessel-wide connectivity, smart cabin services, and IoT-based automation for passenger vessels.

Seamless digital experience.

How it works: solution architecture

Modular, flexible system components designed for maritime deployment from compact vessels to large offshore platforms.

5G Core Network

3GPP-compliant with mobility, session management, and policy control. Deployable as onboard local core, remote cloud-based core, or hybrid edge deployment.

5G Radio Access Network (RAN)

Indoor and outdoor 5G radio coverage with high throughput, low latency performance, and spectrum flexibility based on regulatory requirements.

Edge Computing (MEC) – Optional

Local data processing on the vessel for AI-driven analytics, video processing, and real-time applications without backhaul dependency.

Supporting infrastructure

IP networking, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), radio planning, and satellite/hybrid backhaul integration.

Local core / Remote Core

Local Core – Full 5G core onboard. Ultra-low latency, fully autonomous, no satellite dependency.

Remote Core – Core hosted in Telecom26 data centre, only RAN onboard. Lower hardware cost, suitable for moderate latency needs. 

Edge hybrid

UPF deployed onboard, core in data centre. Balances local performance with cloud management. Recommended for most deployments.

Network Sices. One network, multiple traffic lanes


Separate network slices keep your operations, safety, IoT, and crew connectivity completely isolated — with guaranteed QoS for each.

eMBB

Video, AR/VR, high-resolution surveillance, remote support

URLLC

Industrial automation, robotics, remote control, autonomous systems

mMTC

IoT sensors, asset tracking, environmental monitoring

Private enterprise slice

Isolated enterprise traffic, dedicated QoS and SLA

Mission-critical / public safety

Emergency prioritisation, guaranteed availability

MEC slice

Local processing, AI analytics, video near the edge

Pilot Programme

Start with a pilot deployment

Test Private 5G in your real maritime environment Validate your specific use cases (30–90 days) Prove ROI before full fleet commitment.

Business Value & ROI

The Commercial Case: Why Private 5G Pays for Itself?

Up to 30% Lower costs Improved safety Crew welfare One network
Reduce downtime Reduce satellite usage Compliance & reporting Improve retention Simplify infrastructure
Real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. Offload traffic to the onboard private network. Reduce incidents and operational risks. Reliable connectivity supports crew wellbeing. Replace fragmented systems and reduce maintenance.
         
         

Private 5G is more than connectivity, it is critical digital infrastructure for offshore operations. 

Commercial Models

Flexible Commercial Options — Aligned to Your Budget

CAPEX — Infrastructure Ownership
Full onboard deployment owned by the operator. Ideal for large fleets investing in long-term digital infrastructure.

Managed Service (OPEX)
Telecom26 designs, deploys and operates the entire solution. Predictable monthly cost with no internal technical resources required.

Hybrid Approach
Balanced mix of onboard infrastructure and cloud-managed services. Flexible and scalable.

All models are available as pilot-first engagements low risk, fast deployment, easy validation.

Why Telecom26

ISO 27001 Certified

Global roaming in 180+ countries

Trusted by maritime operators worldwide

Swiss-engineered reliability

Telecom26 is an independent global mobile service provider with its own network core and operational infrastructure. We design, deploy and operate your Private 5G Network end-to-end, one partner, full accountability.

SELECTED RESOURCES

Telecom26.
Explore how private 5G can improve connectivity across your vessels and maritime operations.


Private networks for offshore infrastructure

Use cases
Remote locations need connectivity to service essential applications.

Enterprise data security challenges of roaming on Private Networks

White papers
Meeting the challenges of enterprise data security.

Telecom26, 5G private networks and global mobile data connectivity

Blog
5G private networks - or NPNs, Non-public Networks - continue to attract attention and market momentum…

Explore Telecom26

Want to know more? Find some useful resources.

Telecom26 in numbers

Everything you need to know at a glance

1100+

Network connections

200+

Territories covered

650+

Operator partners

Certifications & Compliance

We operate in alignment with the highest international standards and are proud members of leading industry bodies including the GSMA, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Switzerland Global Enterprise (SGE), and Swiss Medtech—reflecting our commitment to secure, compliant, and innovation-driven global connectivity.