Hactl to establish HKG’s 1st 5G private network-enabled terminal

Ground handler Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd. is enhancing internet connectivity for its operations by establishing Hong Kong International Airport’s first 5G private network-enabled air cargo terminal. The ground handler (Hactl) and telecommunication company Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) plan to complete the upgrade during the third quarter of this year, Hactl told Cargo Facts . Hactl declined to disclose the cost of the upgrade. [caption id="attachment_57150569" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] HKT’s 5G private network will enable Hactl’s autonomous electric tractors to transport cargo more efficiently. (Courtesy/Hactl)[/caption] The technological upgrade will enhance Hactl’s automation capabilities and increase global efficiency, the ground handler said. Hactl managed more than 40% of the approximately 4.9 million tonnes of air cargo at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) in 2024. HKG was again ranked the top cargo airport by tonnage in 2024 by Airports Council International World, and has held this distinction for fourteen of the past fifteen years. Current connectivity Hactl’s current fixed network supports several connection speeds, ranging from 100Mbps to 25Gbps, the handler said. It began upgrading its Wi-Fi network to Wi-Fi 6 in 2024 and expects to complete that upgrade this quarter. Wi-Fi 6 covers frequencies in license-exempt bands between 1 and 7.125 GHz, including the commonly used 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, as well as the broader 6 GHz band, according to nonprofit organization Wi-Fi Alliance. “As our facility contains many heavy metal storage structures to accommodate loaded ULDs and other cargo, this may impact Wi-Fi signals and reception,” Hactl said. “To enhance the connectivity, we are implementing 5G private network in addition to the Wi-Fi 6 upgrade, making them complementary for operational digitalization.” [caption id="attachment_57150570" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Hactl’s 5G-connected smart cargo locating system features intelligent forklifts. (Courtesy/Hactl)[/caption] Hactl and HKT will use a “phased upgrade and spectrum refarming approach” to establish the 5G private network, the handler said. They will reallocate or repurpose existing bands that had been used for older systems, supporting a smoother and less costly transition. “As our facility was commissioned back in 1998, designing and implementing a new private 5G network without impacting the existing mobile network infrastructure necessitates a high degree of sophistication and careful planning,” Hactl said. “We must also work around our 24/7 cargo handling operations.” Benefits of 5G The high-speed, low-latency and secure 5G private network will enable Hactl to adopt more advanced technologies down the road . The deployment is expected to enhance Hactl’s operational efficiency for: [caption id="attachment_57150571" align="alignright" width="225"] Patrol robots equipped with AI-powered video analytics and operating on a 5G private network will help shorten risk detection and response times. (Courtesy/Hactl)[/caption] Autonomous electric tractor (AET) operations. With real-time coordination, dynamic adaptation to traffic and safety protocols, AET operations will require less human intervention. AI-powered security patrol robots . By combining 5G with AI-driven video analytics, Hactl’s patrol robots, which have been operational for more than a year, will be able to monitor cargo areas more seamlessly and transmit live footage to Hactl’s security control center, speeding up risk detection and response, Hactl said. Smart handheld devices. The 5G will improve network coverage for Hactl's smart handhelds, enhancing communication for workers throughout the air cargo terminal. Smart warehouse automation. The 5G-connected smart cargo locating system features intelligent forklifts and communicates with Hactl’s central management systems. Other planned advancements include “wearable technologies and IoT smart sensors,” Hactl said. IoT, or Internet of Things , is a network of devices with sensors, processing ability and software that allows them to exchange data and coordinate operations. Register now for Cargo Facts EMEA, an essential regional event for industry stakeholders, on May 6-8 at the Shangri-La Bosphorus in Turkey.

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