Providing Continuous 5G Connectivity along Ferry Lines – Concepts and Trials of 5G-ROUTES Project (Invited paper)

Abstract

The 5G-ROUTES project is part of the European effort to validate, test and pre-deploy 5G connectivity along major transport corridors with a focus on cross-border segments. It addresses Connected and Automated Mobility applications along the ‘Via Baltica North’ traversing Finland, Estonia, and Latvia and, also, 5G connectivity across the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia. The signal strength of coastal base stations both in the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz frequency was measured along the ferry route between the ports of Helsinki/Vuosaari in Finland and Tallinn/Muuga in Estonia. Even though the 5G signals could be detected much further away from the coast than expected, there remains a gap in coverage that needs to be closed to provide continuous 5G connectivity of sufficient bandwidth. The installation of communication infrastructure along water ways is challenging and impossible in some areas, therefore the 5G-ROUTES project has investigated innovative approaches such as various multi-hop concepts and the use of satellites. In the planned trial phase, selected solutions shall be field tested and demonstrated to evaluate their suitability, technical maturity and performance. The obtained results of the 5G-ROUTES ferry trials will be applicable also to much longer ferry routes and can be transferred to road and rail transport in very remote areas where deployment of suitable 5G infrastructure may be technologically challenging and costly.