Cellnex contributes to restoration of nature with its technology

Marker Wadden is the most recent part of the Netherlands: a group of nature islands that bring new life to the Markermeer. To make the important work of researchers and caretakers on the Marker Wadden possible, Cellnex supports the project with its communication infrastructure.

The Marker Wadden project is an initiative of Natuurmonumenten. In 2016, the organisation, together with Rijkswaterstaat, kicked off the first stage: the development of five islands. Together with the underwater landscape, it will measure 1,000 acres. The ambition is to turn the Marker Wadden into a great archipelago of 10,000 acres in total which will make it one of the largest nature recovery projects of western Europe.

Marker Wadden is a unique nature reserve in development. The nature islands are being built with sand, clay and sludge from the Markermeer. New forms of nature will develop on these novel group of islands with their natural shores, both under water and on the surface. A natural paradise for fish and birds and also a wonderful recreational island.

Together for a better world

Cellnex stimulates innovation and at the same time keeping an eye on sustainability. That is why we continually invest in the development of new projects that are in the interest of society as a whole. The Marker Wadden project is a fantastic example of that.

A completely new and natural eco system will emerge on Marker Wadden. For researchers, a unique opportunity to follow the course of this development. To make the important work of researchers and caretakers possible, Cellnex supports the project by providing it with connectivity.

Because there is no fixed internet connection to the island, Cellnex has deployed a communication infrastructure based on a microwave transmission. By means of microwaves a connection is made, over an eight kilometre distance, between the telecom & data tower in Lelystad and the site set-up point in the booth near the entrance of the Marker Wadden harbour.

The required equipment uses the self-supporting energy system on the island and the whole fits completely into the coherent architecture which is so typical for the Marker Wadden.

Thanks to this connectivity, in the future, the network can also be used for collecting data with, for example, sensors (IoT) or other ‘smart’ systems.