Airports
Purdue Teams To Build Private Airport 5G Network
A partnership between Purdue, Ericsson, and Saab aims to prove that using a private 5G technology is a viable alternative that is efficient and flexible.
Aerial view of Purdue University Airport
Purdue University Airport will trial the benefits of a private 5G network through a partnership with Saab and Ericsson. (Photo: Discovery Park District)

Purdue University Airport has partnered with Ericsson and Saab on a “lab to life” proving ground to showcase the benefits of private 5G for airports. The partnership aims to prove that using private 5G technology can provide a viable alternative and provide more efficiency and flexibility over typical connectivity approaches.

Airports install sensors and systems that are typically hardwired, necessitating connection points through trenches for copper lines or fiber-optic cables. Airports can also use point-to-point radio frequency links, which can be unreliable, or use public cellular connections that come with subscription fees and consumer-oriented performance limitations, the partners said.