The Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) in Goa has become the first autonomous government body to get the green light for a 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN).
The authorisation was secured in September 2026 from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Telecommunication Act, 2023, for a period of 20 years.
This also makes Mormugao the first port in India to get a dedicated private network, marking a significant step in the adoption of next-generation digital technologies for port operations.
What is the point of a CNPN?
A CNPN is a private, isolated wireless telecommunication network (such as 4G or 5G), set up exclusively for internal, non-public use within a specific area.
This will eliminate the MPA's reliance on commercial networks. By then switching to a CNPN, it can avail the secure, reliable, and ultra-low latency characteristics of the private 5G network, which will help it with smart port operations, automated logistics and cargo tracking.
Within these verticals, the CNPN can potentially be used in real-time monitoring, drone-based surveillance, smart sensors and in the technological moving parts of port infrastructure.
This aligns with the Union shipping ministry’s focus on digitising and streamlining processes across the maritime sector, in line with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
To kickstart the project, the MPA has engaged a consultancy agency to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR), and has also issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify suitable system integrators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Proof of Concept (PoC) trials for the CNPN project are currently underway.
