COCUS connects Salzgitter AG’s plants via its own 5G platform and central 5G core
Düsseldorf, 8 October 2026 – Heat, dust and massive steel structures: in steelworks, conventional Wi-Fi quickly reaches its limits. COCUS and Salzgitter Digital Solutions GmbH (SZDS), the digitalisation unit of Salzgitter AG, are therefore relying on a private 5G network based on the COCUS Campus2Go platform. What makes this special is that all sites are operated centrally via a shared COCUS 5G core from the SZDS data centre in Salzgitter. Following the successful proof of concept in Ilsenburg, the network is now also in live operation at the Peine plant.
The starting point was the dispatch hall at Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH. Until now, seven Wi-Fi access points were required to cover the hall, which measures around 350 by 70 metres. Despite this, connection drops and data loss occurred time and again. Today, a single 5G radio unit handles this task, using around 85 per cent less radio hardware. Among other things, crane data and camera images are transmitted in real time via the network. “The system really does work flawlessly,” says Christian Kühlen, Head of Industrial Communications at SZDS.
At Peiner Träger GmbH in Peine, the 5G network is already in live operation. Six radio units provide coverage for the halls and outdoor areas of the extensive factory site. Among other things, the network supports stock management in the lorry depot and mobile data collection via tablet.
„Ilsenburg und Peine zeigen, dass Private 5G auch unter härtesten Industriebedingungen zuverlässig funktioniert. Entscheidend ist für uns die Architektur: Mit unserem eigenen 5G Core betreibt die Salzgitter AG alle Standorte zentral aus einem Rechenzentrum. So wird aus einem Pilotprojekt eine Infrastruktur für die gesamte Unternehmensgruppe.“
Bernd Hoffmann
5G Business Innovation, COCUS
A 5G core network for all sites
At the heart of the solution is the COCUS 5G Core. In traditional campus networks, each site usually has its own core with its own security architecture. At Salzgitter AG, however, the sites share a central core, a security model and an operations team. The plants are connected to the SZDS data centre via fibre-optic cables. For sites that are not intended to rely entirely on the central connection, additional local core instances are provided. These are also managed centrally and ensure continuity of operations in the event of failures.
The network uses exclusive frequencies allocated to the SZDS by the Federal Network Agency for a period of ten years. This rules out any interference from other mobile networks. Each device is authenticated via its SIM card in combination with the device ID. In accordance with the zero-trust principle, every access attempt is checked, authorised and continuously validated. This is crucial for a network that carries crane data and security camera feeds. Thanks to its multi-tenant capability, service providers or logistics partners will also be able to use the network in future, completely separate from the plants’ data traffic.
This architecture is already proving its worth: within around a year, the network grew from a single radio unit in the proof of concept to eight radio units across two sites, without the need to adapt the network architecture.
“With our 5G campus networks, we are creating a reliable communications infrastructure on which we can gradually continue to digitise our sites, from networked crane systems to future automated applications. It is important to us that every expansion builds on the existing infrastructure, rather than starting from scratch each time.”
Christian Kühlen
Head of Industrial Communications, Salzgitter Digital Solutions GmbH
Award-winning COCUS 5G infrastructure
At the 2026 TeckNexus Private Networks Leadership Awards, COCUS and SZDS were named winners in the “Leadership in Private Networks for Warehouse Logistics for Manufacturing” category. The award highlights the productive operation of a centrally managed 5G network in heavy industry. The design is also intended to connect to other Salzgitter Group locations. The next step will be the port of Salzgitter-Beddingen.
A tried-and-tested platform with around 30 installations
Campus2Go is COCUS’s private 5G platform. It is already in use at around 30 locations in Germany, Switzerland and Brazil, including the ports of Trier, Wismar and Berlin (Havelport), as well as in industry, logistics, at airports and at exhibition centres.
At Salzgitter AG, COCUS is responsible for radio and frequency design, core architecture, SIM and IP management, and ongoing support for further expansion. SZDS operates the central core in its own data centre and manages the roll-out across the Group’s subsidiaries.
About Salzgitter AG
Salzgitter AG is an international steel and technology group headquartered in Salzgitter. The Group operates across the business areas of steel production, steel processing, trading and technology and employs around 23,800 people worldwide.
Salzgitter AG also reports on the use of 5G within its own operations. Learn more about the project and Salzgitter AG’s perspective here.
About COCUS
COCUS develops and implements digital solutions for business-critical core processes at well-known companies such as Vodafone, METRO and TUI. In doing so, COCUS combines close collaboration with clients through project staff in Germany with high-performing development teams in Portugal. This results in end-to-end software solutions, from conception through to implementation, across a range of technologies and application areas.
