Engineers examine a 5G base station at the cross-sea passage Shenzhen-Zhongshan link in South China's Guangdong province on June 15, 2024.

PHOTO credit: VCG

The 5G network operates seamlessly on land, yet providing coverage at sea presents a significant challenge, with maritime routes often experiencing patchy and unstable signals.

However, this has changed along the Shandong-Liaoning sea route. China has successfully implemented continuous 5G network coverage over this vital shipping lane, marking the country's first extensive and uninterrupted 5G maritime coverage. Now, passengers traveling this route can enjoy a network experience that rivals what they would find on land.

According to Chen Zhigang, an expert in information and communication, achieving continuous 5G coverage at sea necessitates the use of precise propagation models to predict and optimize the transmission characteristics of network signals in complex marine environments. Constructing offshore base stations involves surmounting natural barriers and safety concerns inherent in marine operations, as well as ensuring the durability of equipment against corrosion and the elements.

Moreover, the deployment of extended-range coverage technologies, such as strategic base station placement, the use of high-gain antennas, and the operation of high-power base stations, requires careful planning and optimization.

As China's marine industry accelerates its shift towards intelligence, emerging sectors like marine aquaculture, smart maritime equipment, and marine big data are thriving, fueling the growing demand for robust maritime communication.

The 5G network's marine coverage provides vessels with real-time, vital information on weather, sea conditions, and navigation, enhancing safety at sea. It also aids fishermen in remotely monitoring their boats and managing fishing nets intelligently, thereby boosting information sharing and efficiency within the fishing industry, as noted by Chen.

Source: Science and Technology Daily