Schleswig-Holstein Launches Secure 5G Campus Networks to Bolster Emergency Communication

Schleswig-Holstein has inaugurated its own dedicated 5G-Campus network to enhance crisis management and ensure resilient communication for emergency response agencies. Digitalization Minister Dirk Schrödter emphasized the critical need for reliable communication infrastructure during severe emergencies, citing lessons from past disasters such as the Baltic Sea storm surge and the Ahr flood. The initiative represents a pioneering move within Germany, positioning the state among the first to implement specialized 5G networks designed to operate independently from public mobile infrastructure.

The pilot project established local 5G networks at five key locations, including Husum, Kiel, Boostedt, and Eutin, with an additional mobile 5G unit available to respond to large-scale disasters. These networks guarantee sustained communication capabilities even if public networks fail, thereby supporting critical infrastructure protection and operational continuity for emergency services.

A practical demonstration of the 5G-Campus network's reliability was conducted when Schrödter successfully placed a call from the 5G system to the Interior Ministry. This breakthrough allows for real-time transmission of vital data, such as water level monitoring from vessels operated by the State Office for Coastal Protection, National Park, and Marine Conservation (LKN.SH). Johan Bizer, CEO of Dataport, described the network as a modern, resilient infrastructure ensuring uninterrupted administrative operations during crises.