Wi-Fi Gets Grounded

Airport security systems are evolving fast, and so are the network infrastructures they rely on. In many high-traffic commercial settings, Wi-Fi has been considered a more affordable connectivity option when laying cable is impractical or cost-prohibitive; however, Wi-Fi’s inconsistent and unreliable performance make it incapable of supporting the next-generation, mission-critical technologies that airports will depend on – solutions like computer vision, AI-driven analytics, and autonomous vehicles.

Think of it this way: next-gen technologies are like Ferraris, built for speed and precision, but without the right network infrastructure, you are stuck without a racetrack. You need to build that track before you can unleash the full performance of the car.

As a result, airports are migrating to a new connectivity option – Private Cellular Networks (PCNs). PCNs are privately owned and managed networks for the exclusive use of their operational and security systems. Like commercial cellular networks that support personal mobile devices, PCNs use LTE or 5G transmission; however, they operate over a special radio spectrum designated for private use: Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), also known as Band 48.

PCNs leveraging CBRS are growing in popularity across the airport space and are being implemented in many phases – from early planning, to design and implementation, and operational networks – at major airports including Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), and Miami International Airport (MIA). Experts at Swedish networking provider Ericsson predict that up to 80% of airports will ultimately rely on them.

As IP systems have replaced analog solutions over the past two decades, integrators updating an airport facility routinely replaced hundreds of miles of coax with Cat5. With the introduction of PCNs, they will surely question the need for all that “blue spaghetti.”

The adoption of PCNs is still in the early stages, but the race is on, and there is certainly a business opportunity in it for integrators. That said, it is vital to understand how to design systems for these new networks.

Why Airports Are Leading the PCN Charge

Most systems integrators who have installed security technologies at airports have experienced the limitations of both wired and Wi-Fi-based networks.

Wired networks, especially across a sprawling 30- to 40-mile airport perimeter, are costly and time-consuming to trench, install, and maintain. Within active terminals, even adding new IP drops can be a logistical headache, often requiring areas to be blocked off and passengers inconvenienced – disruptions that airports work hard to avoid.

Meanwhile, Wi-Fi has always struggled in metal-heavy, interference-prone environments. Its performance degrades with distance and congestion, and handoff between access points can be unreliable, especially in dynamic environments where connectivity must be seamless.

PCNs solve many of these challenges. They provide dedicated, high-bandwidth, low-latency secure connectivity across large areas without the need for extensive cabling. Their signal strength is more consistent than Wi-Fi, and because they operate over an exclusive spectrum, interference from public networks is minimized.

For security integrators who have typically installed cameras only for surveillance purposes, the potential applications and desired locations for devices are quickly expanding. Advanced computer vision platforms, dependent on powerful cameras, support operational analytics like tracking aircraft turnaround and monitoring bottlenecks, and enable real-time decision-making across the airport environment. That shift has major implications for how and where cameras are deployed and is a driving force behind PCN adoption.

PCNs are also opening the door to innovations that improve the passenger experience. Baggage tracking systems can relay real-time updates across the terminal, helping reduce lost luggage and increase customer satisfaction. Autonomous wheelchairs and service robots that deliver food from restaurants to gates can navigate crowded terminals and assist travelers with reduced mobility. Both depend on uninterrupted communication with centralized control systems. These are just a few of many high-value use cases that can’t perform reliably on overloaded Wi-Fi networks—but they can thrive on the dedicated bandwidth, low latency, and greater reliability that private cellular networks provide.

Let’s look at turnaround management. Planes make money in the air – not on the ground. When a plane pulls into a gate, there’s a flurry of operations as fuel trucks, cleaning crews, catering, baggage handlers, and lavatory services converge upon the aircraft. AI can now track and analyze these movements to improve efficiencies and reduce delays, but that kind of analysis requires constant video and sensor coverage across all those zones. That’s where PCNs excel.

Of course, operations aren't the only priority. Airports face a growing list of security concerns that demand real-time monitoring and response. PCNs are being used to support drone detection systems, monitor for theft in aircraft luggage holds, and identify perimeter breaches using radar and thermal cameras. These systems, and others, feed real-time alerts to the airport's operations center, and each application relies on a strong, flexible network infrastructure.

Ultimately, PCNs are poised to become part of the network architecture of enterprise-scale installations across many verticals, but with airports’ many unique challenges and readily available technology solutions, it’s clear why this market sector is embracing cellular platforms more quickly than others.

What Integrators Need to Know

PCNs aren't replacing wired networks; they're complementing them. In most cases, airports will continue to rely on both infrastructures, using PCNs to extend coverage and improve deployment flexibility in areas where CAT-5 is impractical. Many traditional security applications will continue to use the wired network. That said, security integrators need to start thinking about PCN competency because they will undoubtedly encounter customers who say, "I've invested in a PCN network. How are you going to use it?" And, even if a wired solution is feasible, the customer may push for a cellular option because it could save them serious money on installation.

Now is the time for integrators to start learning how to design for a hybrid infrastructure. When some devices are on the LAN and others are connecting through the PCN, they need to talk to each other. That means ensuring the network is set up so traffic can flow between the two – like keeping the roads open between two neighborhoods. It's not rocket science, but it's not plug-and-play either.

Integrators must also consider cybersecurity. Inherent to their design, PCNs are a type of distributed network, which means there are more potential entry points for cyber threats. Devices on both the PCN and LAN must be properly authenticated, encrypted, and managed to ensure the entire system is secure, end-to-end.

Fortunately, PCNs offer a more controlled and secure environment than public networks. Because they’re not open to general access and are centrally managed by the airport or its operating authority, they allow for tighter access policies, SIM-based authentication, and isolated traffic segmentation. When properly configured, these capabilities give integrators a stronger foundation for enforcing enterprise-grade cybersecurity across increasingly distributed systems.

To leverage airport PCNs, customer-facing sales consultants will not need to become cellular engineers, but they will need to begin collaborating with network architects who understand how to provision SIMs, get devices on Band 48, and make sure everything is communicating with the core.

For now, most edge devices—like cameras—connect to the PCN through an adjacent box that bridges the worlds of wired and cellular transmission. Manufacturers aren't yet producing products that can directly connect to a PCN. However, that day isn't far off. Soon, these devices will be able to connect directly to the network, eliminating the need for intermediary gear.

The Business Opportunity

We’re still in the early stages of PCN adoption, but make no mistake: it is coming quickly. This transition isn’t just another incremental shift in infrastructure, like swapping coax for CAT-5; instead, PCNs will revolutionize how connected systems are deployed, accessed, and managed across massive, complex environments. Airports just happen to be one of the first places where the technology makes total sense.

Forecasts predict global air travel will increase 40% by 2030 compared to its pre-pandemic high, and airports can’t afford to let legacy infrastructure slow them down. Logistics hubs, ports, refineries, and smart cities won’t be far behind. PCNs will become mainstream anywhere that needs real-time visibility, broad-area coverage, and the flexibility to deploy advanced technology quickly and securely.

Integrators must start educating their engineering teams now. Those who build this competency early will have a leg up when responding to RFPs – as more and more contracts will include PCN integration as a requirement. You don’t want to lose a job because your competitor can speak the language and you can’t.

PCNs will also open new doors. When devices are no longer dependent on cable runs, integrators can offer new solutions in places that were once too remote, too costly, or too complex. And, when a choice of LAN or PCN transmission is an option, knowing how to leverage the PCN can make your quotes stand out and be more cost-competitive.

To remain relevant in aviation, integrators must evolve alongside the infrastructure. PCNs are shaping the next generation of airport security. Learning to design for them isn’t optional – it’s how to futureproof your business.