Activity in the private networks space is accelerating and many organisations across multiple industries have been driving transformative initiatives underpinned by private 4G LTE and 5G networks. This article features cutting-edge, unique and innovative deployments in 2023.
AirForestry, Tele2: Private 5G Network to Control Electric Harvesting Drones for Forest Management.
Industry: Forestry
Date of deployment: Nov 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: Trial stage
Partners involved: Tele2, Nokia
Why is this featured:
- This deployment pioneers the use of a private 5G network to remotely control electric harvesting drones for forest management, setting a new standard for efficient and sustainable forestry practices.
- Traditional methods usually involve ground-based machinery, whereas this approach uses advanced technology to thin and harvest forests from the air, promoting sustainability.
- The 5G network ensures stable communication between drones in remote forest areas, important for tasks like video streaming and monitoring, and uses portable cabins and masts.
What use cases:
- Drone/UAV inspection and navigation
For more information, click here.
ArcelorMittal, Orange Business: Building France’s largest private 5G network at the steel giant’s factories
Industry: Manufacturing
Date of deployment: Feb 2023
Type of deployment: Private 4G LTE and 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners: Ericsson
Why is this featured:
- The ‘5G Steel’ initiative is now operational after initial launch in November 2021, across sites such as Dunkerque and Mardyck and more recently Florange. A further extension of the private 5G deployments beyond the existing sites is also planned.
- The initiative meets the following requirements: extensive coverage across its complex highly reflective industrial environment, with high rise metal structures and indoor and outdoor areas, consistency in (high) throughput and (low) latency for various use cases, network slicing capabilities and security.
What use cases:
- Connectivity in indoor and outdoor areas
- Connected worker through the use of safety devices and tablets for inspections, safety audits, lockout/tagout procedures
- Connected equipment and machinery for more efficient steel recycling
- Autonomous road and rail vehicles
- Mobile maintenance processes
- Various AR/VR use cases
For more information, click here.
AZ Semiconductor Fabrication Facility, Communication Technology Services:
Industry: Logistics, manufacturing
Date of deployment: Oct 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: CTS, JMA, Druid
Why is this featured:
- Although the solution itself can support both 4G and 5G technology protocols, the particular deployment leverages 5G standalone architecture and is open-RAN based, leveraging different vendors for the core and the radio elements.
- In order to support the mission critical environment and need to minimise downtime, the private network provides greater availability and redundancy that the customer needs across its production environment and logistics operations.
What use cases:
- Connectivity for a mission critical applications and environment
- Connected devices (IoT) for better operational visibility
BASF Antwerp, Citymesh: Private Network Deployed to Support Business-Critical Chemical and Logistics Processes.
Industry: Chemical manufacturing and logistics
Date of deployment: Mar 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G and LTE, network slicing
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Citymesh, Nokia
Why is this featured:
- This is another one of the largest private networks deployed in Europe, covering an area of approximately 10 km2, with 39 RHRs deployed and covering both indoor and outdoor.
- The 5G network will enable a move towards a ‘one-device policy’ where communication in the field between employees will take place over one smartphone as opposed to multiple communication devices.
- Wireless video monitoring will support mission-critical applications, such as the monitoring of brackish water from BASF’s water treatment plant, fire monitoring during fire-hazardous maintenance work, and mobile logistics.
What use cases:
- Push-to-X communications (talk, video)
- Video ingest and analytics, using edge and AI e.g. for brackish water monitoring (foam formation), fire watch
- Automated mobile logistics and freight management
- Remote and automated operations (e.g., machines, cranes)
For more information, click here.
BASF Tarragona, Boldyn Networks: Private 5G a Key Technology for Digital Transformation Process
Industry: Oil and gas
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: Deployment stage
Partners involved: Boldyn Networks, Nokia, Cellnex
Why is this featured:
- This is the first 5G private network to be deployed in the Spanish chemical industry and is designed to enable seamless and reliable device connectivity and optimisation of processes and traffic in the plant, covering an area of over 100 hectares.
- 5G is a key technology for BASF’s digital transformation journey, opening the door to Industry 4.0, IoT, augmented reality and AI solutions to enhance operations, security and other key fields. It was also be used to test use-cases such as Push-to-X communications and safety IoT devices.
What use cases:
- Connectivity (including for devices)
- Automated guided vehicles
- Testing of other use cases e.g. push-to-X communications (talk, video), connected devices for safety (IoT)
For more information, click here.
BBC Research and Development, Neutral Wireless: Temporary 5G network deployment for King Charles’ Coronation
Industry: Media, Entertainment and Sport
Date of deployment: May 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: Temporary deployment
Partners involved: Neutral Wireless, Ofcom
Why is this featured:
- This temporary private 5G network deployment was designed to support the streaming of high data-rate video along The Mall during King Charles’ coronation.
- 8 cells were deployed and over 60 SIMs connected to the network from multiple broadcasters from around the world.
- The need for high-capacity uplink when streaming professional video meant that the network had to be deployed using spectrum separate from the public networks. With Ofcom, 80 MHz of radio capacity centred on 3855 MHz, was secured.
What use cases:
- Live video and broadcast
For more information, click here.
BMW: Private Network to Support Automation and AI Analytics in Manufacturing Processes
Industry: Manufacturing
Date of deployment: Aug 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: None specified
Why is this featured:
- This private network was installed to support the use of AI and video analytics in process monitoring and quality control in the largest BMW factory in the world in Spartanburg, California.
- Automated robots are used to weld hundreds of metal studs onto automobile frames and AI technology is used to check the placement of the studs.
- The factory also uses 26 cameras to identify issues that require human intervention and workers wear scanning devices for the monitoring of components and containers and the development of a digital twin of the plant.
What use cases:
- Quality inspection and control: video ingest and analytics – to detect the placement of studs on automobile frames
- Site operations management: Video analytics (use of 26 cameras)
- Automated robots
- Connected handheld devices (scanners)
For more information, click here.
Boston Children’s Hospital, T-Mobile: Healthcare’s First 5G Hybrid Network
Industry: Healthcare
Date of deployment: Sep 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: Deployed
Why is this featured:
- A unique hybrid private 5G network for a healthcare environment
- By deploying a private network, Boston Children’s Hospital is able to benefit from reduced data security risks and access faster and more reliable communication between healthcare professionals.
- This deployment also paves the way for Boston Children’s Hospital to adopt new use cases, such as in-home patient care with 5G remote monitoring and AI-based patient request prioritization, benefiting from reduced latency and increased coverage.
What use cases:
- Connectivity
- Patient data monitoring and management for electronic medical records (EMR) system
For more information, click here.
Callio FutureMine, Boldyn Networks: Private 5G network deployed in the deepest mine in Europe
Industry: Mining
Date of deployment: June 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Boldyn Networks, Nokia
Why is this featured:
- Deployed in the deepest mine in Europe, this private 5G network is designed to support demanding applications including predictive maintenance, location services, 3D modelling, advanced analytics and autonomous vehicles. It operates across eight levels of the mine and at a decline length of more than 11km in addition to the mine’s surface.
- The project’s key focus areas include testing and verifying mining applications, developing future mining services which require full coverage, continuous improvement, innovation, and enabling ecosystems for future digitalization and development of sustainable solutions.
- Tests have shown that the private 5G network has low latency and high throughput. It also opens opportunities for involved stakeholders to test innovations and upcoming technologies, for example, from 3GPP releases.
What use cases:
- Advanced predictive maintenance
- Location services
- Autonomous vehicles and automated operations (e.g., machines, cranes)
- Other use cases driving advanced analytics and mining automation
For more information, click here.
Chevron Phillips Chemical, Kyndryl: Worker Safety and Operations Digitally Transformed by Private Network Solution
Industry: Oil and gas
Date of deployment: Nov 2023
Type of deployment: Private 4G LTE
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Kyndryl, Nokia
Why is this featured:
- Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) is one of the world’s leading producers in chemicals and polymers. They partnered with Kyndryl to deploy industrial-grade private LTE networks for eight of their US facilities. The downstream oil and gas plants are typically complex environments with densely developed, multi-story steel and concrete structures, so reliable coverage has historically been challenging.
- Kyndryl’s private wireless solution is built on Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud, providing for the first time a full-coverage digital platform to manage activity, oversee safety and operate in a flexible, data-informed way, replacing paper-based processes. The Kyndryl Bridge open data integration platform has also been implemented to enable the use of AIOps, leveraging the private network, to anticipate outages and potential downtime and provide broad access to operational plant data in real time.
- CPChem is currently testing iSafe MOBILE device which will enhance worker safety via push-to-talk.
What use cases:
- Connectivity
- Connected worker (safety and productivity), for digital work orders and real-time collaboration
- Connected devices and advanced predictive maintenance (e.g. machine status data across 3,000 mobile devices)
- Push-to-X communications
- Automated operations (e.g., machines, cranes)
For more information, click here.
City of Las Vegas, Cox Communications: Improving Public Safety in Downtown Las Vegas
Industry: Public sector
Date of deployment: Feb 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Cox Communications, Dell, Cambium Networks
Why is this featured:
- A private wireless network was deployed in Downtown Las Vegas covering 8 city blocks in the Fremont Street area, with the goal of improving public safety.
- The network will power cameras and real-time data analytics to enhance safety and will also be used for various future smart city applications.
- The deployment also provides the City of Las Vegas the ability to scale to support use cases that benefit city’s 700,000 residents and almost 40 million annual visitors
What use cases:
- Edge-enabled video analytics for security and surveillance
- (In future) other smart city applications
For more information, click here.
CJ Logistics, Ericsson: Transforming Logistics Operations with 5G
Industry: Logistics
Date of deployment: Nov2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: Deployed
Why is this featured:
- Deploying a private 5G network to address existing connectivity challenges across expansive warehouse facilities, typically between 20,000 to 40,000 sqm.
- With this deployment, CJ Logistics has seen a 20% increase in productivity and 15% CAPEX savings, and has been able to replace 300 Wi-Fi access points with 22 5G dots.
- Additionally, this deployment has enabled CJ Logistics to overcome the previous coverage challenges associated with Wi-Fi and adopt use cases including AGVs, real-time reporting, and inventory management.
What use cases:
- Connectivity
- AGVs/AMRs
- Connected workers and handheld devices (e.g. tablets, mobile scanner devices) for inventory management, goods handling and order processing
For more information, click here.
Continental Automotive, T-Mobile Czech: 5G Network for a Digital Factory
Industry: Manufacturing
Date of deployment: Aug 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: T-Mobile, even for the deployment of use cases
Why is this featured:
- The private 5G SA network covers an area of 5000 square metres and connects more than 1000 devices and sensors at Continental’s display solutions plant in Brandýs nad Labem, Czechia.
- The 5G network will enable the digitalisation of Continental’s production processes and enhance communication between employees, equipment, and machines.
- A data platform and network positioning will follow at a later stage.
What use cases:
- Connectivity
- Connected devices (over 1,000 devices)
- Data collection and management into a centralised data platform
- Various XR applications
- AGVs and other automated vehicles
For more information, click here.
DDR.Live, AWS: Lightning in a Bottle Music and Arts Festival (LIB) 2023
Industry: Media, Entertainment & Sport
Date of deployment: Jun 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: Temporary deployment
Why is this featured:
- The network solution is deployed to enhance site-wide and consistent connectivity for LIB to facilitate verification requests and PoS transactions over the festival’s cashless payment system.
- AWS private 5G solution complements the festival’s existing Point-to-Multipoint (PTMP) wireless deployment, reducing the complexities of pre-show temporary network deployments in remote sites and enhancing connectivity for staff and emergency services throughout the event.
What use cases:
- Connectivity
- Payment terminals
- Perimeter access control
For more information, click here.
Eurogate, Deutsche Telekom: Building Dual-Slice Campus Networks
Industry: Ports
Date of deployment: Expected to be deployed in spring 2024
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In progress
Why is this featured:
- This deployment marks one of the largest campus network deployments of Deutsche Telekom, featuring a ‘dual-slice’ campus network. With this deployment EUROGATE ports will benefit from enhanced bandwidth, data security, and increased coverage.
- This deployment also supports the step towards ‘Port-As-A-Service’, which aims to accelerate the digital transformation of ports in Germany by automating equipment handling and manual tasks, and connecting IIoT equipment to the cloud to create a digital twin of the terminals.
What use cases:
- Connected control and process control systems
- Automated container handling, automated and autonomous operations (e.g. machines, cranes and other port handling equipment)
- Autonomous vehicles (trucks)
- Connected devices (IOT) for industrial port handling equipment
- Digital twins
For more information, click here.
Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant, AsiaInfo Technology: 5G-enabled Digitalisation of Nuclear Power Production and Operations
Industry: Energy and Utilities, Manufacturing, Mining
Date of deployment: Jan 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: AsiaInfo Technology, China Mobile, FujiaFn Mobile, CNNC Engineering
Why is this featured:
- The Fuqing Nuclear power plant is one of the largest nuclear power plants in China and marks another major partnership for AsiaInfo Technolgies in the nuclear power field after its project with Hainan Nuclear Power.
- This deployment has reduced operational costs at the plant (e.g. leveraging one network for multiple uses), optimised production processes, and enabled multiple use-cases, including indoor positioning, surveillance, cluster communication and mobile inspection.
What use cases:
- Indoor positioning and connected devices
- Mobile inspection
- Video analytics for security and surveillance
- Cluster communications
For more information, click here.
Global Container Terminals – Canada, Rogers: ‘Smart ports’ enabled by 5G connectivity.
Industry: Ports
Date of deployment: Jul 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G and LTE
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Rogers, Expeto, Ericsson, Dell
Why is this featured:
- The private cellular network supports the tele-remote operations of gantry cranes and the operation of semi-autonomous STS cranes, with download speeds up to 1GB.
- The primary initial phase involves connecting equipment and monitoring the condition for predictive maintenance purposes. This includes mapping PLC and sensor signals to provide and alert maintenance teams with insights into the deterioration of critical systems and components on terminal equipment, and enable them to plan timely proactive interactions.
What use cases:
- Automated and semi-autonomous operations (e.g., tele-remotely controlled gantry cranes and semi-autonomous STS cranes)
More information to come!
Hoban Construction, Samsung Electronics: 5G-enabled Applications to Improve Worker Safety and Efficiency in Construction
Industry: Construction
Date of deployment: June 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Samsung Electronics, NAVER Cloud
Why is this featured:
- Deployments in the construction sector have been far and few in between for various reasons. However, this network is the first of its kind in the Korea construction sector and will support various applications to enhance worker safety and efficiency at Hoban Construction, who is a leading construction, property development and manufacturing company.
- Applications include drone-based and CCTV real-time monitoring of the site, IoT concrete strength sensors for the curing phase, and smart safety jackets for the detection of safety risks.
What use cases:
- Drone/UAV navigation for security and site monitoring, particularly in hard to reach areas
- Video analytics for site/worker monitoring and surveillance
- Connected sensors (IoT) to measure concrete strength during curing phase
- Connected worker through use of smart safety jackets
For more information, click here.
Irish Rugby Football Union, Vodafone: Enhancing Performance in Sport with 5G Connectivity.
Industry: Media, entertainment and sport
Date of deployment: Aug 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Vodafone
Why is this featured:
- Vodafone worked with the Irish Rugby Football Union to build a 5G Standalone Mobile Private Network to provide the team with fast and reliable in-play data analytics in preparation for the France Rugby World Cup. The uniqueness of this particular deployment is the mobile aspect, where the IRFU took the network to the World Cup with them in a bespoke 5G Connected Van.
- Video streams are captured by multiple cameras and a 5G connected drone and is then analysed to give instant data insights on the team’s performance.
What use cases:
- Live video and broadcast
For more information, click here.
Japanese Railway, HFR, Inc.: Improving Railway Safety with 5G Network.
Industry: Transport
Date of deployment: Jul 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: HFR, Inc.
Why is this featured:
- This deployment expands across high power base stations on railway lanes to railway tracks, stations etc.
- This network was deployed to support real-time monitoring of railway and cabin conditions using cameras and AI image recognition, helping to detect and prevent accidents.
What use cases:
- Video ingest and analytics for real-time railway and cabin monitoring, safety monitoring, real-time proactive maintenance
For more information, click here.
John Deere, Nokia: Accelerating Digital Transformation with Private 5G
Industry: Manufacturing
Date of announcement: Oct 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production, and more planned (Brazil)
Why is this featured:
- This latest deployment in Brazil extends John Deere’s deployments to yet another country, adding to its total of 18 deployments across the US, South America and Europe (some of which are in production).
- These deployments have been centred around mobility manufacturing use cases as an anchor use case, with moving cranes, overhead machinery and other assets around the facility.
- This works around limitations of Wi-Fi networks as devices move around and ensures consistent predictable latency to avoid and prevent life safety issues.
What use cases:
- Mobility use cases e.g. cranes, machinery etc.
- Connectivity
For more information, click here.
Miami Grand Prix, Verizon: Private Wireless Solution for Network Connectivity at Formula 1
Industry: Media, Entertainment and Sport
Date of deployment: Mar 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Verizon
Why is this featured:
- High-speed, reliable, low-latency network designed to support crucial applications, reduce interference, and provide greater security during the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.
- The network enabled various venue management solutions including ticket scanning, digital sign management, multiple point of sale terminals for merchants, and immediate uploads for photographers.
- The private wireless network eliminates the need to lay fibre cabling at the venues, therefore reducing infrastructure costs and time required to do so.
What use cases:
- Connectivity
- Venue management solutions (e.g. ticket scanning, PoS terminals, digital sign management, media uploads etc.)
For more information, click here.
NFL, Verizon: Private Wireless Network Coach-to-Coach Communications
Industry: Sports, Hospitality & Events
Date of deployment: Jul 2023
Type of deployment: Private 4G LTE
Stage of maturity: In production
Why is this featured:
- Part of a 5-year deal with NFL, Verizon will deliver managed private wireless solution across each of the 30 NFL stadiums.
- By providing full coverage across the stadium, increasing reliability, and reducing latency, this deployment supports “coach-to-coach” communications during matches, enabling coaches and team members to communicate with each other reliably.
What use cases:
- Connected teams, for on-field coach to coach communications
- Connectivity
For more information, click here.
Petróleo Brasileiro (Petrobras), Telefonica: Fast-track private LTE rollout to 18 sites in Brazil
Industry: Oil and gas
Date of deployment: Jan 2023
Type of deployment: Private 4G LTE
Stage of maturity: Deployed
Partners: Telefonica, Nokia
Why is this featured:
- A multi-site deployment across different types of environments both onshore and offshore.
- 11 out of 29 offshore oil platforms and six of 17 onshore facilities (e.g. refineries, gas processing plants, warehouses, ports) owned by Petrobras have already deployed LTE networks.
- Petrobras plans to equip and connect a seventh onshore facility shortly. These deployments are part of phase one of Petrobras’ initiative to connect all 46 sites to LTE, with eventual transition to 5G by the end of 2024.
For more information, click here.
Port of Barcelona, Orange: Optimising Port Operations with Private 5G
Industry: Ports
Date of deployment: Jul 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Orange
Why is this featured:
- 5G Standalone virtual private network developed for the port of Barcelona to enhance its mobility and services.
- Key applications include ultra-low latency for controlling cranes and other machinery, connectivity for sensors used for real-time location monitoring of ships and other assets, and voice and data services.
What use cases:
- Asset tracking and management
- Automated operations (e.g., machines, cranes)
- Connectivity for companies and port users
For more information, click here.
Port of Kokkola, Boldyn Networks: Kokkolan Satama Port Deploys Private Network to Enable Business-Critical Use-Cases
Industry: Logistics, Ports
Date of deployment: Jun 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G and LTE
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Boldyn Networks, Nokia, Athonet, Edzcom
Why is this featured:
- The private network connects the 15 companies across two shifts on the port’s three ports (general port, deep port and the Silverstone port), with a total wide area of 580 hectares. It enables business-critical use-cases including real-time load monitoring, IoT sensors, remote working, remote retrieval of data and berth planning, and has greatly improved the operations of the port.
- Easier access to data means that just-in-time arrival slots can be offered to ships, thereby allowing them to regulate their speed and achieve a significant reduction in fuel costs.
- The Port of Kokkola has been using the private network for 4 years since the agreement with a single mobile core. They now want geo-redundant mobile cores on their premises.
What use cases:
- Connectivity
- Connected devices (IoT), e.g. water and energy meters, septic tanks
- Video ingest and analytics (use of 32 cameras for various applications, including for site monitoring)
- Perimeter control
- Real-time asset (load) tracking and management
- Remote and/or unmanned operations (of equipment, assets)
For more information, click here.
Portland General Electric (PGE), Expeto: Setting up a private wireless network across 4,000 square miles
Industry: Energy and utilities
Date of deployment: Jan 2023
Type of deployment: Private 4G LTE and 5G
Stage of maturity: Deployed
Why is this featured:
- PGE and Expeto will be using existing public cellular networks to build a private wireless network that spans an area over 4,000 square miles and 250,000 connected grid elements.
- This unique deployment essentially leverages private networking capabilities over public cellular networks (a type of hybrid model). Expeto has the capability to integrate multiple profiles of public carriers onto PGE’s SIM cards. Subsequently, the company’s software utilises 3GPP interfaces, enabling PGE to access the public signals, such as LTE and 5G, from different carriers.
What use cases:
- Video analytics (e.g. for wildfire detection)
- Electric vehicle charging
- Smart metering and distributed energy management (smart grid)
For more information, click here.
Posten Bring AS (Norwegian Post), Telia Norway: 5G Connectivity for Timely and Efficient Postal Services in Norway
Industry: Logistics
Date of deployment: Dec 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G and LTE
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Telia, Athonet, Ericsson
Why is this featured:
- This deployment at Oslo Logistikkpark Drøbak is the first of its kind ‘mobile-only’ logistics centre, where all wireless connectivity is served by private and public 4G and 5G. It is based on a hybrid deployment model with a shared RAN.
- Bring Warehousing’s operations depend on its equipment being connected at all times, the private network provides the reliable coverage and security that Posten Bring needs and minimises downtime.
- It enables connectivity between vehicles, workers, handheld devices, scanners, and printers throughout the 40k sqm warehouse. The private 5G network will ensure Posten Bring is in control of its digital infrastructure and communications, particularly during busier peak times like Christmas.
What use cases:
- Connectivity for its 40,000 sqm facility, in both indoor and outdoor areas
- Connected devices (e.g. vehicles, scanners)
- Connected workers (incl. handheld devices)
For more information, click here.
SNAM, Vodafone: National Energy Sector’s First Hybrid 5G Mobile Private Network
Industry: Energy and Utilities
Date of deployment: Oct 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G and LTE, network slicing
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Vodafone
Why is this featured:
- Multi-site deployment at 23 of SNAM’s sites across Italy, including a unique combination of hybrid mobile private networks (MPNs) for major sites and network slicing with dedicated LTE and 5G coverage for minor sites.
- All the sites from both categories can seamlessly interoperate with each other as well as with the public network, guaranteeing nationwide roaming capability to MPN SIMs.
- The network will enable connectivity between multiple devices at the same time and use-cases such as field sensors, ant-intrusion security sensors, and AR and VR solutions for training and remote assistance.
What use cases:
- Connected devices (IoT sensors), such as leak detectors
- Perimeter control and verification and anti-intrusion sensors
- AR/VR for technician training and remote assistance
- Connected vehicles (e.g. for logistics)
For more information, click here.
SpaceX, Athonet: Enabling Antarctica exploration
Industry: Research, Hospitality & Events
Date of deployment: Feb 2023
Type of deployment: Private 4G
Stage of maturity: In production
Why is this featured:
- Athonet and SpaceX collaborate to establish a private cellular network at Union Glacier, Antarctica, utilising Athonet’s 4G network kit and satellite technology (SpaceX’s Starlink) for backhaul connection.
- The network facilitates essential voice and data communication services, including push-to-talk, emergency messaging, VoIP, and internet access for guests, such as tourists and research teams, at Union Glacier.
What use cases:
- Connectivity
- Push-to-X communications
For more information, click here.
Xcel Energy, Nokia: Private Networks for Smart Grid Operations
Industry: Energy and utilities
Date of deployment: Jul 2023
Type of deployment: Private 4G LTE
Partners: Anterix, Nokia
Stage of maturity: Deployed
Why is this featured:
- As Xcel Energy plans to incorporate an increasing number of renewable power sources, optimizing grid performance through automation will be imperative. This deployment will support Xcel Energy with automating their operations, enabling them to improve reliability and security in their networks.
- The network will also help Xcel Energy with their net-zero vision by supporting industrial IoT use cases in remote locations and incorporating energy sources into the energy distribution grid.
What use cases:
- Smart grid management
For more information, click here.
VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Verizon: Cutting-Edge, 5G-Enabled Use-Cases for Veteran Care
Industry: Healthcare
Date of deployment: Jul 2023
Type of deployment: Private 5G
Stage of maturity: In production
Partners involved: Verizon
Why is this featured:
- As part of a broader partnership between the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and Verizon Business, it was agreed to build VA’s first 5G-enabled healthcare facility.
- 5G will be used to enable new, cutting-edge use-cases to transform Veteran care. These include: AR-assisted presurgical guidance with virtual 3D X-ray vision with the incorporation of CT and MRI scans, VR-assisted medical learning with clinicians, holographic teleportation to enhance clinical interactions, and digital twins.
- Existing commercial in-building 5G systems throughout the entire facility were integrated with Verizon’s 5G rooftop macro sites to provide 5G services to the campus exterior.
What use cases:
- AR/VR for immersive experiences
- AR/VR for training
- Remote assistance/expert
For more information, click here.
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