Ericsson, Port of Tyne and BT chart successful course with private 5G

Port of Tyne, one of the UK’s key deep-sea gateways, is reporting strong operational gains after adopting Ericsson Private 5G. The private network, which uses BT spectrum and Ericsson’s on-site core and radio infrastructure, has supported daily operations by providing consistent connectivity for real-time applications across a complex site that spans 620 acres and supports operations across more than 3km of berths (dock space for mooring vessels).

The port operates across both sides of the River Tyne and depends on connected vehicles, machinery, and video-driven processes. Traditional wireless technologies were not able to offer the reliability or scale needed for this environment, where cabling is costly and operational layouts change several times per year. With Ericsson Private 5G in place, the port has been able to run mobility-led and safety-focused applications with greater confidence in performance.

Over the past year, the network has supported a broad set of uses, including live container scanning, personal protective equipment (PPE) monitoring, restricted-area detection, road-condition analysis, emission monitoring, and high-security access control using video and sensors. Vehicle-mounted cameras, connected to an AI engine, help teams identify road defects before they grow. Drones are used for stock control and infrastructure inspection. The port is also working with Caterpillar to connect the CatCommand system, enabling remote-controlled shovels that reduce the need for workers to enter hazardous ship holds.

Tamsin Warren, Head of Technology and Transformation at Port of Tyne says, “After a full year of operating on private 5G, we’ve seen firsthand how reliable wireless connectivity strengthens our day-to-day operations. From safety-critical activities to logistical environments, the network has given us consistent, real-time visibility across our whole site. It’s helping our teams to work more safely and make better decisions with the live data to move us forward to becoming one of the UK’s smartest and greenest ports.”

Brian Jackson, Director Surveillance & Smart Solutions, BT says, “Over the past year, Ericsson’s private 5G network has delivered the performance Port of Tyne needs in an environment that changes constantly. By combining BT spectrum with Ericsson’s dual 4G and 5G infrastructure, the port has a dependable platform for the technologies it relies on today, as well as those it plans to adopt in the future.”

Manish Tiwari, Head of Enterprise 5G, Ericsson, says: “Port of Tyne is demonstrating how private 5G can support complex industrial operations that depend on mobility, safety, and real-time visibility. The results from the first year demonstrate what a wireless network with predictable low latency, strong security, and support for high mobility can unlock — laying the groundwork for continued digital development across the port.”

Port of Tyne will continue to expand its use of digital tools supported by high-performance wireless connectivity. The private network is helping the organisation strengthen safety, improve operational awareness, and plan for future innovation.

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