Vodafone 5G private network transforms Lufthansa cabin design at Hamburg Airport

2minute read

Vodafone has deployed a 5G Mobile Private Network (MPN) in a 8,500 square-metre hangar at Lufthansa’s base at Hamburg airport that will revolutionise how Lufthansa Technik fits cabins.

  • Ultra-low latency 5G MPN allows real-time Augmented Reality HD visualisation of cabin equipment in empty fuselages

  • Lufthansa technicians can fit to the latest interior plans, manipulating them with far greater control and precision

  • CAD data is processed on site using Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC), which makes the network even more responsive, secure and fully data sovereign

  • They can also collaborate with component developers over uninterrupted HD video calls

Vodafone’s 5G MPN utilises ultra-low latency technology, so technicians can now use high-resolution CAD imagery to visualise equipment in empty fuselages in real time. Due to the very high bandwidth demand this was not possible prior to the introduction of the 5G private network.

By deploying a standalone 5G network, lag time will never be more than a few milliseconds across the hangar. Lufthansa engineers will be able to use Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) simulations in real-time, the first time a standalone private 5G campus network has been deployed in an aircraft hangar.

Up to four very large aircrafts can park in the connected Lufthansa base at the same time, in addition to the very high bandwidth, high capacity and sub-10ms latency are required to manage the demand, something only a 5G MPN can do.

5G adds precision

Lufthansa technicians can fit to the latest interior plans, manipulating them with far greater control and precision. They can also collaborate with component developers over uninterrupted HD video calls on Vodafone’s high-bandwidth 5G network.

“ 5G technology can make a valuable contribution to the aerospace industry. In addition, it will pave the way for numerous new innovations at Lufthansa Technik that will benefit our company, our employees and also our customers.”

Sören Stark

Board Member for Technical Operations,

Logistics and IT, Lufthansa Technik

Secure and flexible

Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) optimises performance by placing processing power closer to the Lufthansa end user. This makes the network feel even more responsive, while sensitive data is more secure because it does not leave the Private network on the hangar site.

Vodafone’s 5G MPN can also be easily reconfigured based on current requirements (eg upload/download bandwidth) by Lufthansa engineers adding an unprecedented amount of flexibility and security.

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