SOURCEOrganization
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC)
Ericsson ↗Vendor case studyLocation in source: Press release body, first paragraphChecked Sep 30, 2026Source date: not stated
Reported deployment
Reported airport private 5G network in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area
A Ericsson case study; outcomes are vendor-reported and not independent measurements.
Involved in this project? Suggest a correctionDetails
- Organization
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC)
- Industry
- airport operations
- Region
- Twin Cities area (Minneapolis-St. Paul)
- Current operating status
- In use (September 2026 announcement)
- Not stated by sources
- Project date
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Overview
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has deployed an Ericsson Private 5G network at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), announced on September 9, 2026, to give airport operations dedicated wireless coverage across the five-square-mile campus, indoors and on the airfield.[1][2] Insight Enterprises resold and manages the Ericsson solution, and Pierson Wireless led deployment and installation.[1] Early uses include Axis Communications cellular cameras on airport trams and dozens of airport vehicles fitted with Ericsson Cradlepoint routers.[1] MAC says it chose private 5G instead of expanding Wi-Fi or adding fiber, and plans to share the network with airlines, concessionaires, and other airport partners.[2]
At a glance
- Organization
- Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP.[2] MSP is one of seven Twin Cities-area airports the MAC operates.[1]
- Location
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, a five-square-mile campus with four runways.[2]
- Spectrum
- Not publicly stated in the Ericsson or MAC announcements.
- Technology
- 5G, using Ericsson Private 5G; standalone or non-standalone mode is not stated. Vehicle routers can connect over both the private 5G network and public cellular networks.[1]
- Scale as reported
- Indoor and outdoor coverage across the five-square-mile campus, including runways, taxiways, and gate areas, plus dozens of connected vehicles. The number of radios is not stated.[1] MSP handled more than 342,000 aircraft operations and over 36 million passengers in 2025.[2]
- Vendors and roles
- Ericsson: Private 5G network and Cradlepoint vehicle routers. Insight Enterprises: reseller and network manager. Pierson Wireless: deployment and installation. Axis Communications: cellular-enabled tram cameras.[1] Computer Weekly reported the same division of roles.[3]
- Integrator
- Pierson Wireless says it installed the Ericsson system's cabling and radio equipment on rooftops and sidewalls, and will continue supporting ongoing management with Insight and Ericsson.[4]
How the network is used
- HD video monitoring on airport trams through Axis Communications cellular-enabled cameras, replacing wired camera connections.[1][2]
- Connected airport vehicles with Ericsson Cradlepoint routers, giving staff access to operational applications across the airfield.[1] MAC's IT director told GovTech these crews use it for paperless work orders and real-time communication.[5]
- Connections for video systems, common-use ticketing equipment, and staff tablets used in operational areas.[1]
- Planned: sharing connectivity with airlines, concessionaires, and other airport partners,[2] and future turnaround analytics for terminal operations.[5]
Reported results
As reported by the sources below; not independently verified.
- MAC's director of infrastructure and operations said the network now provides continuous video access without interruption, where the cameras previously relied on wired connections.[2]
- MAC's chief information officer said the network provides enterprise-grade connectivity across the campus, especially on the airfield.[1]
- Pierson Wireless reports that the initial private 5G deployment was completed successfully and that it sees room for future expansion at MSP.[4]
Timeline
How to interpret this record
This record keeps the source's anonymous customer label and reported status. A case study does not establish current operation, reproducible performance, or independent verification.
Learn more
- Private 5G networks explained: what they are, how they work, what they cost and who sells themA plain-English guide to private 5G: what it is, the parts you need, CBRS spectrum, ways to deploy, cost drivers and U.S. examples.
- Private LTE networks: what they are and how to set one upWhat a private LTE network is, why most private networks still use LTE, the CBRS spectrum and equipment you need, and how to set one up.
- Private LTE vs private 5G: which one do you need?Private LTE or private 5G? The real differences, which devices work, what affects cost, and how to move from LTE to 5G later.
- How much does a private LTE or 5G network cost?What a private LTE or 5G network costs: three example budgets from about $10,000, what you pay for, CBRS and SAS fees, and ongoing costs.
Sources
Researched Oct 1, 2026. Manufacturer and vendor statements are their claims, not independent tests.
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport deploys Ericsson Private 5G to support critical airport operations — Ericsson, Sep 9, 2026. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
- MSP Airport deploys expansive private wireless network — Metropolitan Airports Commission, Sep 9, 2026. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
- Ericsson private 5G network lands at Minneapolis–St Paul airport — Computer Weekly, Sep 11, 2026. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
- Pierson Wireless Partners with MAC, Insight Enterprises, and Ericsson to Deploy Private 5G Network at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport — Pierson Wireless, Sep 15, 2026. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
- Private 5G Enables Real-Time Comms at Minneapolis Airport — GovTech, Oct 1, 2026. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Every detail in the table at the top comes from these sources. Open the source details for each fact’s publisher, evidence type, date, and where it appears.
Source details (6)
SOURCEIndustry
airport operations
Ericsson ↗Vendor case studyLocation in source: Press release body, first paragraphChecked Sep 30, 2026Source date: not stated
SOURCERegion
Twin Cities area (Minneapolis-St. Paul)
Ericsson ↗Vendor case studyLocation in source: Press release body, first paragraphChecked Sep 30, 2026Source date: not stated
SOURCEOperating status
in use (September 2026 announcement)
Ericsson ↗Vendor case studyLocation in source: Quote from the MAC's director of infrastructure and operationsChecked Sep 30, 2026Source date: not stated
SOURCEReported use case
Connected airport vehicles equipped with Ericsson Cradlepoint routers · HD video monitoring on airport trams via Axis Communications cameras
Ericsson ↗Vendor case studyLocation in source: Press release body / Press release bodyChecked Sep 30, 2026Source date: not stated
SOURCEVendors Named
Ericsson; Insight Enterprises (reseller/manager); Pierson Wireless (deployment/installation); Axis Communications (cameras)
Ericsson ↗Vendor case studyLocation in source: Press release bodyChecked Sep 30, 2026Source date: not stated