How NextGen 5G Campus Networks are transforming everyday business operations
Airports are among the most complex operational environments in modern infrastructure. Aircraft movements, passenger flows, security systems, baggage handling, and ground operations all run simultaneously and under strict safety requirements. Even small disruptions can affect the entire system.
As airports continue to digitalize their operations, the reliability of the underlying network infrastructure becomes increasingly critical. Traditional networks were not designed for environments with thousands of connected devices, real-time video analytics, and automated systems operating in parallel. This is where the combination of 5G campus networks and artificial intelligence is beginning to change how large operational sites are managed—marking a significant step forward for the adoption of AI in aviation.
A current example can be found in Croatia, where Deutsche Telekom and Hrvatski Telekom are working with airport operators to test a new operational model. This is part of the NextGen 5G Airports initiative, which aims to deploy dedicated 5G campus networks at Zagreb, Zadar, and Pula airports. The project is also exploring how AI-enabled applications can improve operational efficiency and safety across the airport environment.
The initiative has also attracted European attention, with the project receiving €3.09 million in funding from the EU’s CEF Digital program after it was selected as one of six winning proposals from a pool of 28 projects across the European Union.
A Network Designed for Operational Environments
The concept behind 5G campus networks differs from traditional public mobile networks. Instead of serving a wide geographic area with many types of users, a campus network is designed specifically for a defined operational environment such as a port, factory, or airport.
In practice, this means predictable performance, low latency, and the ability to support large numbers of connected devices simultaneously. For airport operators, reliability is often more important than raw speed. Critical systems—including surveillance, logistics, and maintenance tools—rely on uninterrupted connectivity.
“When robust fiber infrastructure meets agile mobile connectivity, they create a unified platform that multiplies what’s possible—limited only by imagination. AI is the perfect companion for this new journey.”
Marijana Bačić
Member of the Management Board and Chief Operating Officer Business at Hrvatski Telekom.
Combining this infrastructure with AI-based analytics turns the network into more than just a communication layer. It allows systems to process operational data in real time and supports faster decision-making across the airport ecosystem.
Testing Practical Applications
Rather than focusing on experimental technology demonstrations, the Croatian airports project concentrates on practical operational use cases and shows how AI in aviation can be applied in real operational environments, helping drive scalable, smart airport solutions and predictive operations.
One example is AI-assisted runway inspection. Traditionally, airport staff conduct visual inspections to identify cracks, debris, or other possible hazards. With AI-supported video analysis running on a 5G campus network, inspection vehicles can capture high-resolution footage that algorithms can then analyze in real time. This reduces the time required for inspections and helps identify potential issues more consistently.
Another focus area is baggage tracking. Because baggage handling involves multiple systems and operational stages, disruptions can occur when information is delayed or fragmented. Real-time connectivity allows systems to continuously exchange data, improving transparency and coordination throughout the baggage handling process.
Maintenance operations are also evolving. Augmented and virtual reality tools allow technicians to access guidance during complex maintenance tasks and gain new skills in immersive training scenarios. These tools are especially useful in environments where specialized knowledge and rapid troubleshooting are essential.
The project is also looking into how autonomous transport systems, such as remotely supported airport buses and AI-based monitoring systems, can be used to improve environmental management around airport perimeters.
Experience from Other Operational Environments
The airport initiative builds on experience gained in other large operational sites in Croatia. At the Rijeka Gateway container terminal, for example, a dedicated 5G campus network is being deployed to support logistics operations that rely on strict service-level guarantees. The infrastructure is designed to support data-intensive applications such as remote equipment monitoring and high-precision logistics coordination.
Telekom has already tested similar capabilities at large events. For example, the network infrastructure has supported hundreds of thousands of visitors while ensuring stable connectivity for payment systems, security communications, and emergency services at major concerts and festivals across Croatia. At just one event, the Telekom networks handled more than 500,000 attendees and hundreds of simultaneous video streams without disruption. These environments share the same challenge: operations depend on reliable communication systems that must perform even under extreme demand.
A Reference Model for European Airports
The project goes beyond local deployment because it has the potential to act as a reference model for other European airports. For airport operators, the Croatian project provides a practical look at how digital infrastructure might evolve over the coming years. In 2024, the participating airports handled approximately 6.4 million passengers, representing nearly half of Croatia’s total air traffic.
This scale makes them perfect testbeds for smart airport solutions and new operational technologies while still reflecting the conditions faced by many mid-sized European airports.
“If AI is the brain of operations, then 5G is the nervous system. Carrying every signal, every insight, every decision in real time. Together, they transform not just processes but possibilities. Let’s turn proofs into production, and production into long-term advantage. The future rewards the bold, and the bold are already building it with us.”
Mirela Seserko
Vice President for B2B Connectivity Services Europe at Deutsche Telekom AG
If the initiative proves successful, the model could be replicated across other airports looking to modernize their operations without completely redesigning their infrastructure. Dedicated 5G campus networks combined with AI-enabled analytics will allow airports to move from reactive operational management toward systems that anticipate problems and coordinate responses in real time.
For telecommunications providers, the project also highlights their evolving role. Networks are no longer simply connectivity services—they’re also the digital backbone that complex operational systems depend on.
As airports, ports, logistics hubs, and industrial sites continue to digitalize their operations, the ability to combine reliable connectivity with intelligent data processing is likely to become a defining element of next-generation infrastructure.
Enabling predictive operations
The Croatian project illustrates a broader shift in how operational environments are designed and managed. When reliable 5G campus networks re combined with AI, connectivity becomes more than infrastructure—it becomes an enabler of real-time decision-making.
Across airports, ports, and large-scale events, this combination allows organizations to move from reactive processes to predictive operations and more coordinated decision-making. This not only brings greater efficiency but also improved safety and operational resilience.
At Mobile World Congress 2026, Deutsche Telekom integrated this approach into a larger vision of scaling AI across real-world business environments while keeping operations secure, reliable, and human-centered. These deployments in Croatia show that Deutsche Telekom and Hrvatski Telekom are the right strategic partners for secure, business-critical digital infrastructure across Europe.
