Deutsche Telekom’s Hrvatski Telekom Deploys 5G SA Private Networks at Three Croatian Airports

Source: Deutsche Telekom AG. Hrvatski Telekom (HT), the Croatian subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, is deploying private 5G Standalone (SA) networks at three major airports—Zagreb, Zadar, and Pula—as part of the EU-funded NextGen 5G Airports project. The initiative, announced following a demonstration at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026, aims to create a secure, low-latency digital backbone for mission-critical airport operations, including AI-powered security, automated ground handling, and real-time airside coordination. The project, co-financed by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital program, signals a major push by a European telco to establish 5G private networks as essential infrastructure for transportation hubs, moving beyond consumer connectivity into core operational technology (OT).

Technical Architecture: Building a Secure, Standalone 5G Core for Critical Operations

The deployment centers on a private 5G Standalone (SA) architecture, a deliberate choice that separates these airport networks from Hrvatski Telekom’s public 5G infrastructure. This provides dedicated spectrum, ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and enhanced security—non-negotiable requirements for air traffic control data, perimeter security systems, and automated vehicle telemetry. The network core is deployed on-premises or at a nearby edge location, ensuring data sovereignty and compliance with stringent EU aviation and cybersecurity regulations, including the NIS2 Directive.

At Zagreb International Airport (ZAG), the primary hub, the network will support AI-based video analytics for perimeter intrusion detection and automated runway inspections using drones or autonomous vehicles. At the coastal airports of Zadar (ZAD) and Pula (PUY), which experience significant seasonal passenger surges, the focus is on optimizing ground handling operations. Real-time location tracking of baggage carts, fuel trucks, and catering vehicles over the 5G network will enable dynamic dispatching, reducing aircraft turnaround times. The use of network slicing within the private 5G SA core allows HT to create virtualized, isolated networks for different airport stakeholders—air traffic control, security, ground handlers, and airlines—each with tailored performance and security policies.

Industry Impact: The Telco as Critical Infrastructure Provider and Systems Integrator

This project represents a strategic pivot for Hrvatski Telekom and, by extension, Deutsche Telekom’s European operations. It moves the telco from being a connectivity wholesaler to a mission-critical infrastructure provider and systems integrator for the aviation sector. The revenue model shifts from pure data transit to a combination of network-as-a-service (NaaS), managed services, and application enablement fees. For competing mobile network operators (MNOs) in Europe, this sets a precedent: the enterprise and government verticals, particularly critical national infrastructure (CNI), are the primary battleground for 5G SA ROI.

The EU’s financial backing via the CEF Digital program, covering 30% of the €5.7 million project cost, is a significant catalyst. It de-risks the initial capital outlay for the telco and the airport authorities, accelerating adoption. For infrastructure vendors like Nokia, Ericsson, and Mavenir, who supply the 5G core and radio access network (RAN) equipment, such projects validate the market for compact, on-premise private network solutions. It also pressures traditional aviation communications suppliers, such as those providing legacy land-mobile radio (LMR) systems, to either partner with telcos or develop 5G-native alternatives.

Regional and Strategic Implications for European and Global Telecom Markets

In the broader European context, the NextGen 5G Airports project is a direct response to EU digital sovereignty and connectivity goals. It demonstrates a use case where European telcos and technology are deployed to secure and modernize essential services. Success in Croatia provides Deutsche Telekom with a scalable blueprint for its other operating companies across Central and Eastern Europe, including in markets like Hungary, Slovakia, and Greece, where airport modernization is also a priority.

Globally, this mirrors similar initiatives in the Middle East and Asia, such as the deployment of private 5G at Singapore’s Changi Airport or Dubai International. However, the European model, with its emphasis on regulatory compliance, data localization, and public-private funding, offers a distinct template. For emerging markets in Africa and the MENA region, where airport expansion is rapid, the project highlights a potential partnership model: a local MNO provides the private network infrastructure, leveraging its spectrum assets and engineering expertise, while international partners or development banks provide funding and technical assistance. The key takeaway for telecom operators worldwide is that 5G’s enterprise value is maximized not in public networks but in controlled, private deployments for high-value verticals like ports, mines, factories, and, as shown here, airports.

Forward-Looking Analysis: The Runway for 5G Private Networks in Critical Infrastructure

The Hrvatski Telekom airport deployment is a leading indicator for the maturation of the private 5G market. We expect to see a rapid domino effect across Europe’s transport sector in the next 18-24 months, with ports, rail yards, and logistics hubs following suit. The technical and commercial lessons learned here—around spectrum allocation (likely a mix of dedicated local licenses and network slicing on public spectrum), integration with operational technology (OT), and cybersecurity hardening—will become industry best practices.

For investors and regulators, the project underscores the need for flexible spectrum policies that allocate dedicated bands for local-area industrial use. For competing telcos, the message is clear: the race is on to build industry-specific practice units with deep domain expertise. The future revenue growth for telecom operators lies not in selling more gigabytes to consumers but in becoming the indispensable digital nervous system for the economy’s most critical operations. Deutsche Telekom’s move in Croatia is a decisive step onto that runway.