BASF Antwerp is jumping on the high-speed innovation train and is building the first private 5G network in the port of Antwerp together with telecom operator Citymesh. In this way, they are not only optimising site safety, such as fire prevention and monitoring teams—they also increase both the sustainability and efficiency of the port. With more than 50 production facilities on more than 600 hectares of site, this is a true technological feat.
"A private 5G network is a logical step in the huge digital acceleration that both BASF and the industry are experiencing. Among other things, the switch to a private 5G network ensures a more secure network and a lot more bandwidth. It also brings nothing but benefits in terms of manageability. All these elements ensure, for instance, that our logistics applications not only become faster, but also more stable. We've already set our sights on about 20 applications and are discovering new ones every day. For instance, we can monitor and support the people in our intervention service even better. But also in terms of fire safety and maintenance, the options are numerous." said Steven Werbrouck, Expert Network Connectivity at BASF.
"We are incredibly proud. With BASF's clear industry 4.0 ambitions and international relevance, this project is seen as a catalyst for the adoption of private 5G networks. They're a must in the industrial sector to work towards accelerating, automating, sustaining and securing processes," said Joeri Tranchet, COO of Citymesh.
Given that both BASF and Citymesh are innovative trendsetters within their sectors, their cooperation is self-evident. The FPS Economy also sees advantages in this private network and grants subsidies. Indeed, this project fits perfectly within the Federal Public Service Economy's plan for the roll-out of 5G in Belgium.
Besides creating a stable network for mission-critical applications, BASF Antwerp and Citymesh want to open up their experience to the entire sector, and by extension to the 5G community in the industry. This is also a next step in Citymesh's swift growth, where in the meantime applications can be built on the full spectrum, from 0G to 5G.
