Hrvatski Telekom Deploys 5G SA Private Networks at Three Croatian Airports, Backed by EU CEF Digital Funding

Source: Deutsche Telekom AG announced on February 19, 2026, that its Croatian subsidiary, Hrvatski Telekom, is deploying standalone (SA) private 5G networks at three major Croatian airports—Zagreb, Zadar, and Pula—as part of the EU-funded ‘NextGen 5G Airports’ project. This initiative, supported by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital program, represents a significant step in operationalizing 5G SA for critical infrastructure and creating a replicable blueprint for airport digital transformation across Europe.

This deployment moves beyond conceptual showcases at industry events like Mobile World Congress (MWC) and into real-world, revenue-generating infrastructure. For telecom operators, it validates the enterprise business case for private 5G, particularly in high-stakes environments requiring ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), localized data processing, and enhanced security. The project, which began its pilot phase in 2024 and is now in full-scale deployment, demonstrates how integrated telco capabilities—from core network slicing to edge computing and AI analytics—can be packaged to solve complex operational challenges for vertical industries.

Technical Architecture and CEF-Funded Deployment Model

The ‘NextGen 5G Airports’ project is not a standard commercial rollout but a strategically funded initiative under the EU’s CEF Digital program, designed to bolster cross-border digital connectivity and infrastructure. Hrvatski Telekom is implementing a fully isolated, on-premise 5G Standalone (SA) core network at each airport site. This architecture provides dedicated spectrum, guaranteed performance parameters, and complete data sovereignty—critical for airport security and air traffic control systems.

The technical stack is comprehensive. It utilizes 3.5 GHz (n78) spectrum for high-capacity coverage across tarmacs, terminals, and cargo areas. Network slicing is employed to create virtualized, logically separate networks for distinct use cases: one for high-priority ground-to-aircraft communications, another for passenger Wi-Fi offload and terminal services, and a third for security and surveillance systems. A multi-access edge computing (MEC) platform is deployed on-site to process data from IoT sensors, AI-powered cameras, and autonomous ground vehicles with sub-10 millisecond latency, eliminating the need to backhaul sensitive operational data to a central cloud.

The initial use cases being deployed are directly tied to operational efficiency and safety. These include AI-based video analytics for perimeter security and unauthorized intrusion detection, real-time coordination systems for ground handling crews and baggage carts, and automated airside inspections using drones and autonomous robots connected via 5G. The CEF Digital funding, which co-finances up to 50% of eligible costs, has been instrumental in de-risking the initial capital expenditure for both the telco and the airport authorities, accelerating the adoption cycle.

Industry Impact: A Blueprint for Telco-Enterprise Collaboration

This project serves as a definitive case study for how telecom operators can evolve from connectivity providers to strategic digital infrastructure partners. For Hrvatski Telekom and Deutsche Telekom, it cements their role as systems integrators for critical national infrastructure (CNI). The revenue model extends beyond mere connectivity fees to include managed services, application hosting on the MEC platform, continuous network optimization, and 24/7 security monitoring.

The competitive landscape is also clarified. By owning and operating the private 5G core and radio network, Hrvatski Telekom positions itself against pure-play neutral host providers and hyperscaler-centric private wireless offerings (like AWS Private 5G or Microsoft’s private MEC solutions). The telco’s advantage lies in its direct control over licensed spectrum, its existing fiber backhaul infrastructure connecting the airports, and its regulatory familiarity—all crucial for CNI clients.

For network vendors (likely including DT’s partners like Ericsson or Nokia), this deployment validates the market for compact, industrial-grade 5G SA core solutions and ruggedized radio units capable of withstanding harsh airport environments. It also drives demand for sophisticated network orchestration software that can dynamically manage slices and edge resources based on real-time airport operational demands, such as a sudden surge in flight arrivals.

Strategic Implications for European and Global Airport Modernization

The Croatian deployment has significant implications for airport modernization strategies across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). European airports, many of which are public-private entities, are under pressure to modernize for efficiency, sustainability, and enhanced passenger experience while adhering to strict EU data governance (GDPR) and cybersecurity (NIS2 Directive) regulations. The CEF Digital-funded model provides a viable financial pathway, and the technical blueprint from Croatia is directly transferable.

In the broader EMEA region, where many airports are hubs for tourism and trade (similar to Croatia), the business case is compelling. Operators like Dubai Airports, Johannesburg’s OR Tambo, or Morocco’s Mohammed V International could leverage private 5G to streamline cargo logistics, implement smart baggage handling, and enhance biometric passenger flow management. For telecom operators in these markets, the airport becomes a high-value anchor tenant that can justify the fiber densification and edge node deployment in its vicinity, creating a halo effect for surrounding enterprise services.

Furthermore, this project underscores the strategic importance of digital sovereignty. By keeping the 5G core, MEC, and data processing entirely within the airport’s physical and logical perimeter, controlled by a trusted national telco, airports mitigate risks associated with foreign technology dependencies and ensure compliance with local data residency laws. This is a paramount concern for infrastructure deemed critical to national security and economic stability.

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

The deployment at Zagreb, Zadar, and Pula airports is not an endpoint but a foundational platform. The installed 5G SA and MEC infrastructure is forward-compatible with 3GPP Releases 18 and 19, paving the way for 5G-Advanced features. In the near term, we can expect the integration of precise positioning technologies for asset tracking of every piece of ground support equipment, and AI-native air interface management to dynamically optimize network resources for predictive maintenance alerts.

Longer-term, this infrastructure will be essential for integrating autonomous taxiing systems, advanced air mobility (AAM) vertiport management for drones and air taxis, and digital twin simulations of the entire airport operations. For the telecom sector, the success of this model will accelerate the development of standardized, pre-packaged ‘5G for Airports’ solutions, reducing deployment complexity and time-to-revenue for other operators globally.

Ultimately, Hrvatski Telekom’s project demonstrates that the value of 5G is fully realized not in public consumer networks alone, but in its ability to become the nervous system of digitized industries. For network operators, the mandate is clear: move beyond selling gigabits and move towards selling deterministic, secure, and intelligent outcomes for the world’s most complex operational environments. The runway for this transformation is now being paved, one private network at a time.