Avinor, the state-owned limited company that operates most of the civil airports in Norway, has chosen to partner with Telia Norway to explore how 5G technologies can be used to digitize and streamline airport operations, while also making them more sustainable. One of the projects will, among other things, trial the use of a 5G-controlled robot to streamline the operation of taxiways and runways.

“This is an exciting collaborative project for us, and we are proud to be allowed to contribute our 5G expertise to Avinor and together find out how new mobile technology can create value for them,” says Jon Christian Hillestad, head of enterprise at Telia Norway. “Over several years, we have collaborated with a broad range of customers and partners to test new technologies, including the Norwegian Armed Forces and Posten. This type of collaboration is very well suited for innovation, and we have built up solid experience and a lot of expertise in this way.”

One concrete example of the tests conducted by Avinor and Telia will explore the use of a self-propelled robot equipped with cameras, sensors and, potentially, a movable arm at the airports at Sola and Alta. The robot’s most important task will be to check the condition of landing lights along the airstrip, but it will also be used to detect and chase birds, detect and remove foreign objects that could damage planes, detect cracks in the asphalt and inspect fences.

“To achieve that, Avinor needs communication carriers,” says Ole Petter Røstad, project manager and business developer at Telia Norway. “During the pilot project, we will test how the management and transmission of data works over both the 5G network and Wi-Fi.

“The 5G collaboration with Avinor will give us insight into how 5G can be used for very specific and highly effective solutions at Norwegian airports. The technology is here now and it’s up to us to explore what we can use it for. We look forward to doing that together with Avinor.”

Through the collaboration, Telia will assist Avinor in building expertise on models that can be used to connect data systems, 5G functionality and properties, and in gaining general knowledge about 5G and private mobile networks. Together with Telia, Avinor will also identify and document how 5G can – as part of Avinor’s communication infrastructure – support the digitization and automation of the company’s various operating processes.

“Telia presented very thorough plans for competence transfer to Avinor, which highlighted how both parties could benefit from the pilot projects and build competence within 5G,” says Jon H. Thorshaug, Head of Avinor IT Partner. “Their response, motivation, access to expertise and overall approach explains why we chose Telia as a partner for this 5G pilot project.”