The technology company LMT, working with the woodworking company “Kurekss”, has installed the first private 5G network in the Baltic States at a production plant of this kind. The project marks a new stage in industrial digitalisation, delivering greater efficiency, security and scope for innovation in the woodworking industry.
A private 5G network is a closed mobile network built for a company's own needs that operates independently of the public network. It provides stable, fast data transmission, security and the ability to connect a wide range of equipment – from sensors on the production line to tablets and autonomous machines. Unlike Wi-Fi, a 5G network also maintains a reliable connection on the move, which matters a great deal across large production sites.
LMT President Juris Binde stresses: “Private 5G networks are an important step in the development of industrial digitalisation. They allow companies to introduce solutions that require a particularly fast, stable and secure connection – from automated production lines to IoT and robotics. LMT was the first in Latvia to begin rolling out 5G, and today we are seeing this technology become the foundation of the industry of the future. Our aim is not only to strengthen the competitiveness of Latvian companies, but also to create solutions with export potential that will help the Baltic region become a leader in innovation.”
The woodworking company “Kurekss” has already introduced a number of significant digital solutions, such as the GOLDENEYE 901 scanner for sawn timber quality control, the WoodHub system for managing production processes, and automated lines to improve efficiency. These solutions have put the company among the industry leaders in innovation, and the introduction of a private 5G network is the next step in that direction. The project was carried out in cooperation with the EU Recovery Fund and EDIC (the European Digital Innovation Hub).
Edgars Makarovs, member of the board of SIA “Kurekss”, notes: “Digitalisation is the foundation of our strategy, and introducing a private 5G network is the logical next step. It will allow us to manage production processes even more efficiently, to use IoT solutions and to prepare for the innovations of the future. We see this project as a substantial investment in the company's sustainability and competitiveness.”
Private 5G networks can be applied across a wide range of sectors – from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare, education and security solutions. LMT installed the first private 5G network in Latvia back in August 2024, on the site of SIA “Baltic Container Terminal” in the Freeport of Riga. The LMT group is already carrying out similar projects outside Latvia as well, for example at the Port of Klaipėda in Lithuania, where the LMT group company UAB Santa Monica Networks, together with LMT, won a tender for the study and design of a private 5G network. It will be the first private 5G network in Lithuania and is scheduled for completion in 2026.