Samsung and KT have been chosen to implement a private 5G network for the Republic of Korea (RoK) Navy’s ‘Smart Naval Port’ project. This marks the first deployment of its kind at a Korean naval base, aimed at enhancing battleship and base operation support capabilities while achieving comprehensive base defence.
The collaboration between Samsung and KT began in the summer of 2024, with the deployment scheduled for completion by December 2025. The companies will construct an intelligent and fully independent network infrastructure to provide seamless coverage and improved connectivity for the RoK Navy 2nd Fleet.
Private 5G solutions are crucial for national defence sectors, which demand ultra-fast speeds and hyper-connected communications for foolproof and effective operation management. These solutions will establish a highly reliable network dedicated to the Navy, bolstering security and minimising vulnerabilities.
To ensure military workplace safety and efficiency, Samsung and KT will support the Navy’s Private 5G buildout by applying smart, AI-enabled connectivity solutions and powering a variety of next-generation applications. The project will establish a comprehensive Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure encompassing 13 different systems, ranging from uncrewed vehicle operation to armoury management and ammunition depot management.
Key use cases include:
A digital twin of the smart naval base, providing a three-dimensional, high-definition digital replica. This will enable an integrated management system that can also serve as a foundation for strategy development. Insights gathered from the digital twin will inform decisions to increase the resilience, efficiency, adaptability and autonomy of the naval base.
Intelligent security monitoring to enhance naval base defence through real-time video control of operational forces and vehicles, surveillance cameras for ammunition depots and armouries, and surveillance drones, incorporated with the existing Video Management System (VMS). This monitoring will deliver a holistic view of the base and allow for optimal operational response in case of an emergency event through real-time auto screen switching.
A one-stop battleship operation management system, enabling intelligent support through an all-in-one system by integrating multiple critical systems such as navigation support, logistics management, safety management and monitoring. This comprehensive system will streamline and operationalise administrative work for Navy personnel.
Jun-Ho Kim, SVP and Head of Public Customer Business Unit at KT Enterprise, said: “KT will contribute to establishing a standardised system for the Republic of Korea Navy through the Smart Naval Port project. We look forward to laying the foundation for the ‘Smart Naval Port’ which will improve its capability to support battleship and naval base operations.”
Samsung will provide its proven end-to-end private 5G network solution for defence, including its private network 5G SA Compact Core, indoor and outdoor radio solutions, and network management software. These solutions support the mid-band (n79, 4.7GHz) spectrum, which is widely adopted for military usage.
With Samsung’s compact solution for the full stack of private 5G that can run on a single server hardware, the Navy will benefit from quick deployments and less complex operations. Its private 5G radios will deliver improved uplink performance with optimised uplink features, designed to help government agencies upload vast amounts of data across numerous devices simultaneously.
Simon Lee, VP and Head of B2B·B2G Business Development Group, Networks Business at Samsung, commented: “Samsung’s private 5G solutions are trusted due to their dependable security, reliability and proven commercial expertise, already serving diverse private and public sectors in countries like South Korea, the US, and Japan.
“In collaboration with KT, we are excited to deploy Korea’s first private 5G at a naval base. This project exemplifies our ongoing commitment to enhance and unlock the potential of 5G to meet every customer’s needs.”
Samsung has been actively delivering private 5G networks in collaboration with a range of sectors from hospitals and universities to construction sites and military and local government agencies.
This project represents the modernisation of naval operations and defence capabilities, leveraging 5G to create a smarter, more efficient, and secure environment.
See also: Google and Bentley future-proof infrastructure with digital twins
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