Verizon Business has completed the deployment of a multisite Private 5G network across five industrial locations at Thames Freeport in the United Kingdom, strengthening wireless connectivity for port operations, logistics, manufacturing, industrial automation and artificial intelligence (AI).
The deployment of Private 5G network forms part of a multiyear, multibillion-dollar economic transformation initiative aimed at modernizing industrial infrastructure and attracting investment across the Thames Estuary region.
According to the Verizon Business Private 5G contract announcement, the project is designed to provide industrial-grade wireless connectivity across multiple operating environments within the Thames Freeport economic corridor.
The completed deployment supports five independently operated tenant locations, with each site using its own private network core. This architecture enables individual businesses to maintain control over their network operations and data while benefiting from a common technology platform.
Verizon Private 5G Network Architecture and Nokia Partnership
Verizon Business has deployed the networks using technology from Nokia Enterprise Campus Edge, which is the exclusive hardware and software provider for the project.
The infrastructure incorporates two Nokia enterprise networking platforms: Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) and Nokia MX Industrial Edge (MXIE).
Nokia DAC provides private wireless connectivity for industrial environments, while MXIE supports edge computing and the processing of industrial application data closer to operational equipment.
The architecture enables businesses to support applications requiring reliable wireless communications, local data processing and low-latency connectivity.
Each of the five tenant networks operates with an independent network core, allowing individual sites to manage network resources, operational applications and data sovereignty requirements separately.
Nokia Enterprise Campus Edge is also subject to a planned sale to investment company AURELIUS, making the future ownership of the networking business relevant to the project’s technology ecosystem.
Private 5G Supports AI, Industrial Automation and Connected Operations
Verizon’s deployment establishes the wireless infrastructure required to introduce advanced digital applications across Thames Freeport’s industrial sites.
The supported capabilities include physical AI, computer vision, real-time asset tracking, connected-worker safety systems, predictive maintenance, edge computing and AI-powered autonomous operations.
Private 5G connectivity can support continuous communication between industrial equipment, sensors, vehicles and operational control systems.
For port operators, these capabilities can improve visibility into cargo movements, equipment utilization and asset locations.
Manufacturing businesses can use the infrastructure to connect production equipment, monitor machinery and introduce automated inspection systems.
Logistics companies can explore real-time tracking, connected vehicles and automated warehouse operations.
The deployment establishes the network foundation for these applications, although their implementation will depend on individual tenant requirements and subsequent technology trials.
Thames Freeport Begins Industrial 5G Trials
Thames Freeport’s Connectivity Innovation Lab is working with technology providers and participating industrial sites to evaluate private 5G applications.
The initial trials focus on maintenance and operational efficiency, tracking and monitoring, and health, safety and security.
These activities are intended to validate the suitability of private 5G for industrial applications before they are introduced into everyday operations.
A second phase will focus on port and logistics applications, including opportunities to improve operational visibility, automate industrial processes and connect equipment across complex environments.
The trials will help determine which applications can be deployed at commercial scale across the five locations.
Five Private 5G Locations Include DP World, Ford and Port of Tilbury
The completed network covers major industrial businesses operating across the Thames Freeport district.
DP World London Gateway and DP World Logistics Park use the platform as a foundation for connected terminal operations, asset tracking, video analytics, autonomous systems and logistics automation.
The facilities form one of the UK’s largest integrated deep-sea container port and logistics complexes. The original project announcement identified port capacity exceeding 3 million units annually, a rail terminal supporting 20 daily services and a logistics centre covering 9.25 million square feet.
Ford Dagenham, London’s largest manufacturing site, is another beneficiary. The facility has historically produced more than 11 million vehicles and 50 million engines. Its private 5G infrastructure is intended to support robotics, connected industrial assets, computer vision and manufacturing intelligence.
Port of Tilbury has two locations included in the deployment. The port accommodates 135 supply-chain companies and supports cargo movements involving construction materials, automotive products, food and beverages.
The original Nokia announcement covering the Verizon and Thames Freeport partnership identified the industrial sites and their planned applications when the contract was announced in June 2025.
AI Vehicle Inspection and Digital Truck Processing Among Initial Applications
The first phase of industrial trials has produced several operational findings.
An AI-based vehicle inspection application detected damage to vehicles and trailers using images and video. The trial identified damage that had been missed during manual inspections.
A digital truck-processing application connected terminals, depots and drivers, enabling automated communication between gate, yard and operations teams. Testing demonstrated how the system could identify congestion when incidents disrupted terminal access.
Another trial evaluated mission-critical field communications, including push-to-talk, video, location tracking and emergency alerts.
A digital container-yard mapping application remains in development. It is designed to provide information about container locations, inventory age and planned movements, including export cargo assigned to vessels.
The next phase will investigate digital twins, AI video analytics, predictive maintenance, environmental monitoring and AI-assisted operational decision-making.
Thames Freeport Secures £2.13 Billion Investment, Targets 28,000 Jobs
The private 5G deployment is part of a wider economic development programme covering the Thames Estuary.
According to the Thames Freeport Impact Report 2025–2026, the region has attracted more than £2.13 billion in private investment since 2021 and supported the creation of over 1,400 jobs.
A further 1,290 people are employed across the designated tax sites, with 2,548 additional jobs in the confirmed pipeline.
The programme has also invested £7.1 million in skills and community initiatives, reached more than 4,500 pupils and supported 609 apprentices in training.
The Thames Freeport Growth Plan identifies opportunities for up to £4.9 billion in additional private investment as part of a broader £5.9 billion programme.
The plan also targets up to 28,000 high-value jobs, a doubling of regional trade capacity and up to £2.5 billion in additional annual gross value added by 2045.
It identifies nine development opportunity sites, 41 strategic interventions and three major tax sites across Ford Dagenham, Port of Tilbury and DP World London Gateway.
Verizon Expands Industrial Private 5G Business
The Thames Freeport project represents a significant reference deployment for Verizon Business in the European industrial connectivity market.
Verizon was named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for 4G and 5G Private Mobile Network Services for the second consecutive year.
The company also reported receiving the highest vendor product score in selected use cases in Gartner’s 2026 Critical Capabilities assessment, including dedicated industrial private networks, multisite private networks and campus private networks.
These recognitions are based on Gartner’s evaluation criteria and do not establish independent performance results for the Thames Freeport installation.
The project also marks a transition from the contract announcement in June 2025 to completed network infrastructure in November 2026.
