Verizon has secured its first private 5G contract in Europe, deploying a dedicated network at the Port of Southampton in partnership with Associated British Ports. The deal marks a significant expansion for the US telecoms giant beyond its domestic market, targeting one of the UK's largest maritime hubs that handles approximately £40 billion in annual exports.

The private 5G infrastructure will deliver secure, low-latency connectivity to support the port's digital transformation initiatives. ABP described the agreement as a "fantastic milestone" that positions Southampton Port at the forefront of maritime industry innovation. Private 5G networks offer businesses dedicated bandwidth without competing traffic, enabling real-time monitoring and automation capabilities critical for modern port operations.

Despite the business potential, 5G rollout faces resistance from campaign groups like Stop 5G, which argues the technology poses health risks. The World Health Organization classifies radio waves as "possibly carcinogenic," though evidence remains inconclusive. UK authorities recorded nearly 100 arson attacks on 5G masts in the first half of last year, driven by conspiracy theories linking the technology to Covid-19.

This deployment follows Verizon's October launch of its international private 5G platform across Europe and Asia-Pacific. With 5G commercial launches occurring in nine European countries by the end of last year, the Southampton project represents a strategic foothold for Verizon's enterprise growth in the region's emerging private network market.