Private LTE networks: connectivity for mission-critical operations.

Reliable, secure, with great coverage, fast, and ultra-low latency. These are the main features of a private LTE (Long Term Evolution) network: a wireless network that meets the connectivity needs of industrial operations. This multi-user technology helps increase operational efficiency while enabling real-time remote control.Además, da soporte a todas las aplicaciones verticales de misión crítica (por ejemplo, aquellas que permiten controlar máquinas a distancia en una mina). Proporciona conectividad confiable y predecible para automatizar las operaciones, garantizar la seguridad y la protección, y llevar a las empresas a nuevos niveles de calidad y productividad.

How to protect and secure industrial operations?

Industries must respond quickly to market changes and customer demands. This involves transforming the way they work and optimizing their operations in real-time.

Digital transformation and process automation are key to responding to the fast-paced nature of business. Private LTE networks become a crucial ally, enabling industries to stay hyperconnected and ensuring the real-time operation of their processes.

Robots for industry and their potential with private networks.

Industrial modernization includes, among other things, the incorporation of autonomously driven vehicles; these are robots that move independently (without a driver). In general, they are used to transport goods, especially for repetitive tasks with high cadence. Their main benefit is that they ensure the uninterrupted transport of materials, but to achieve this, they require an optimal wireless connection.

This is where private LTE networks come in: they are ideal for processes like this because they have low latency (meaning reduced response time). This reduces failures and increases operational efficiency.

Let’s look at an example. Nokia’s plant in Oulu (Finland) manufactures and designs telecommunications products. To automate one of its processes, they incorporated an autonomous intelligent vehicle (AIV). This AIV operated with a Wi-Fi network that covered the area between two points, but soon this network became insufficient, as connectivity was lost along the route (requiring manual intervention to restore it, which made the workers' tasks more difficult).

Thus, a private wireless network (4.9G/LTE) was implemented, ensuring secure and stable connectivity for all assets inside and outside the factory. In this way, the AIV can perform functions anywhere in the plant without any connection interruptions.

The contribution of private networks for mission-critical operations.

When we talk about mission-critical systems, we refer to those that are considered essential for the functioning of a process or business, and whose failure or interruption would have a serious impact.

For industries with mission-critical operations, a private LTE network provides uninterrupted communication services. It is used in large companies worldwide, from utilities and mining to manufacturing, airports, and ports that require a network capable of keeping pace with operations, as any communication interruption would cause serious disruptions.

Let’s consider the following example: in an airport, communication between the control tower and an aircraft preparing to land cannot be interrupted at any moment, as this would jeopardize the process (and the lives of those on board). Additionally, this communication has strict low-latency requirements, meaning that the information to and from the control tower must arrive as close to real-time as possible to ensure that decision-making is instantaneous.

Why is it a more suitable alternative than a Wi-Fi network?

Private networks use a spectrum space dedicated exclusively to their processes. For this reason, it is more efficient and secure than a Wi-Fi network, as it avoids the common problems of congestion and interference from free-use bands.

Additionally, this type of connection ensures operational control, as it covers every corner of a terminal with mobile broadband that enables the flow of information between employees and machines, which is essential for real-time monitoring and quick responses in case something happens.

What can we do with private LTE networks for industry?

• Control machinery remotely or on-site.

• Provide connectivity to security cameras for the plant and surveillance of operations.

• Collect environmental data from low-power sensors.

• Control cranes, AGVs, and forklifts with remote, autonomous, and collaborative control.

• Calculate the trajectory of vehicles, machinery, and personnel to optimize workflow.

• Use PTT (push-to-talk) communication applications, like walkie-talkies.

• Protect data by storing and processing it on a completely private network.

• Track assets with high accuracy, even when they are inside facilities and out of GPS coverage.

• Study anomalies in the production line through real-time video analysis.