Author: Elza

Mining operations are often remote, and conditions can be extremely harsh. Unpredictable weather, a constantly shifting configuration, and volatile explosions create an environment where reliable connectivity is essential, but many solutions are difficult to maintain. Mining operations are increasingly transitioning to autonomous haulage systems to increase productivity, efficiency, and safety. Private networks are a key component in this scenario, providing a system backbone for secure and reliable connectivity that is capable of supporting the demanding workloads of autonomous vehicles.

Mining operations are often remote, and conditions can be extremely harsh. Unpredictable weather, a constantly shifting configuration, and volatile explosions create an environment where reliable connectivity is essential, but many solutions are difficult to maintain. Mining operations are increasingly transitioning to autonomous haulage systems to increase productivity, efficiency, and safety. Private networks are a key component in this scenario, providing a system backbone for secure and reliable connectivity that is capable of supporting the demanding workloads of autonomous vehicles.

Enhanced safety and security

Mining operations require strict safety protocols due to the hazardous nature of the work environment. Real-time tracking, geofencing and emergency response capabilities help protect machinery and personnel, minimizing the potential for accidental injuries and ensuring compliance.

Private networks provide enhanced security, ensuring that sensitive operational data stays on premise, isn’t subject to external threats, and allows for reliable, rapid communication between autonomous vehicles, command centers, IoT sensors and other devices. This significantly reduces the risk of system failure, unauthorized network access and operational sabotage.

Improved reliability and cost benefits

Downtime in any manufacturing or automated environment can be costly, but in mining scenarios, those costs grow exponentially. Private networks provide dedicated bandwidth access, meaning the operation benefits from consistent performance, regardless of demand. This level of reliability is critical for autonomous vehicles as they navigate complex terrains, communicate between devices, and transport resources throughout the mining environment.

Since private networks can also be tailored to meet the specific needs of a particular site, from managing the unique topography to ensuring signal coverage between vehicles in underground areas, predictive maintenance systems can be utilized to analyze equipment performance in real time. This level of monitoring can help identify and address potential issues before they lead to mechanical failures or stalls.

Reduced latency and consistent connectivity

Low-latency communication is essential for autonomous operations, particularly when split-second decisions mean avoiding a potentially catastrophic collision by providing real-time rerouting. Private networks drastically reduce latency compared to other options, enabling rapid decision-making and more responsive control systems. In a mining environment where conditions can change rapidly and vehicle coordination demands are near-instantaneous, consistent connectivity and responsiveness are crucial.

Along with low-latency, autonomous vehicle mining operations require exceptional system stability. Communication lapses can lead to operational disruptions, safety incidents, equipment damage, and a variety of other dangerous and costly situations. Deploying a private network establishes a dedicated, stable and mission-critical communication system, allowing for streamlined integration with automation platforms, remote monitoring tools and AI-driven decision-making protocols, resulting in a more efficient operation overall.

Conclusion

As mining companies embrace autonomous haulage systems, private networks are becoming the de facto solution. Enabling the secure, reliable, and high-performance infrastructure necessary to support autonomous fleets, private networks are not only future-proofing mining operations but also unlocking new levels of safety, efficiency and profitability, paving the way for a more sustainable mining industry.

Learn more about the deployment tools and resources the Alliance offers by downloading our latest white paper. Connect with us via LinkedIn and X, and sign up to receive our quarterly newsletter today!

Meet us at Smart Manufacturing Week on June 4-5 in Birmingham, UK.

The Alliance for Private Networks recently participated at the inaugural XPONENTIAL Europe 2025 event, which attracted visitors from over 65 countries interested in the cutting edge innovations taking place in the autonomous tech and robotics industries. Recognizing the need for seamless connectivity and reliability in this unique vertical, we were excited to share the benefits of private networks and our free tools for easing deployment.

Visitors to our kiosk immediately saw the potential for private network deployment for autonomous UAVs (uncrewed aerial vehicles) and were keen to explore how private networks can address the unique challenges they face as their industry rapidly advances.

Thomas Eder, Head of Embedded Wireless Solutions at Nokia, was also on hand representing the Alliance, presenting “How to Deploy a Private Network for Autonomous Technologies & Robotics” in the Innovation Theater. During his presentation, he shared the Alliance’s deployment tools, information about Nokia Drone Networks deployed in Belgium and Switzerland, the demonstrated benefits of 5G connected drones, and explained the many ways drones can support a variety of sectors, including:

• Oil and gas
  • Remote inspections – inspect hard-to-access areas, such as cranes and derricks, after severe weather conditions and provide analysis of offshore platforms.
  • Leakage detection – detect leakage and gas sensing.
  • Surveillance – provide automated security and surveillance at refineries and offshore oil platforms.
• Defense
  • Intelligence gathering – connected drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors allow them to collect data and images from a distance.
  • Search and rescue – drones can be used to locate and rescue personnel in hazardous or inaccessible areas. They can also drop supplies to troops in the field. Surveillance and reconnaissance – track troop movements and assess terrains to develop strategies and tactics.
• Public Sector
  • Emergency response support – drones can be dispatched to the incident scene to gain better situational awareness.
  • Search and rescue – search for missing persons with the help of a thermal camera and create evacuation routes. 
  • Firefighting and emergency support
    • Prevention – find hot spots in forests/dry areas to prevent/mitigate larger fire
    • Incident and monitoring support – video streaming improves the situational awareness and supports resource planning, risk evaluation and decision making. Sensors and analytics can also identify hazardous substances.
    • Inspection – drones can verify that a fire is extinguished through HD or thermal video streaming, detect gas leakage, and damage inspection for insurance claims.
• Mining
  • Security – automated 24/7 area monitoring for safety and security.
  • Environmental surveillance – surveillance and inspection of tailing dams to monitor water and air quality.
  • Volumetric monitoring – drones equipped with a LiDAR scanner can monitor stockpiles. 
• Ports
  • Security – automated 24/7 area monitoring for safety and security.
  • Maritime monitoring – provide support to coastguard and port management by monitoring vessels and traffic.
  • Area and water quality monitoring – detect oil or chemical leakage and monitor water quality.
• Utilities
  • Power line inspections – drones can inspect power lines and transmission from a safe distance providing faster, cheaper and more comprehensive and accurate inspections.
  • Wind turbine inspections – drone inspections can identify blade delamination, core defects, internal component failure, and other key defects.
  • Gas refinery inspections – drones can provide gas sensing and emission monitoring. They can also identify heat and temperature differences with thermal cameras.

Why deploy a cellular-based private network?
Private wireless networks offer efficiency, reliability and security enhancements by delivering smart technology, automation capabilities and essential features that increase protection against cyber security threats and improve worker safety.

To help enterprises define their own profiling and classification requirements, The Alliance provides publicly available Uni5G™ Technology Blueprints that leverage 3GPP 5G standards. This allows for more efficient deployment of their own optimized, reliable, and secure private network in any spectrum. Our unique PLMN-ID also simplifies the path to private network deployment, accelerating the ecosystem.

We look forward to exhibiting at the Hannover Messe 2025, from March 31-April 4, to promote the benefits of private networks for the manufacturing industry. An Alliance representative will also highlight deployment examples of private networks for manufacturing facilities at the 5G & Industrial Wireless theater. We hope to see you there!

Get the latest private network news by subscribing to our quarterly newsletter here. Learn more about the Alliance for Private Networks and access our deployment tools by visiting www.mfa-tech.org.

Questions? Email info@mfa-tech.org.

Rapid advancements in smart automation technology continue to impact industry verticals, and utilities are no exception. There is a growing demand for utilities to provide critical infrastructure in an efficient, secure and reliable manner. But they also must maintain grid uptimes while ensuring that end users can easily access and monitor their utility usage in real time.

Private wireless networks offer efficiency, reliability, and security enhancements to the utility vertical by delivering smart technology and automation capabilities and essential features that increase protection against cyber security threats and improve worker safety.

After talking with our member companies and examining the utility vertical, we’ve identified the top three benefits for utilities deploying a private wireless network:

Enablement of Smart Technology Applications
Using a private network, utilities can deploy advanced applications, supplementing their current methodologies for collecting and responding to data from their grids. For instance, drones, smart meters, sensors, and other equipment connected to a private network, can easily moderate the entire grid from any location and efficiently address and resolve concerns. End customers can also make use of these modern monitoring technologies to view their utility usage and make rapid adjustments.

Increased Protection Against Cyber Attacks
As the utility grid becomes increasingly automated with an ever-increasing number of devices and applications accessing the network, potential exposure of the entire system to cyberattacks also grows. A private network allows utility operators to have increased control over their network, providing the ability to install additional cyber security features and applications – like identity and access controls – to protect against these threats.

Improved Worker Safety
The increased amount of automated equipment and applications made possible by deploying a private network improves worker safety by allowing utilities to promptly identify and address issues remotely across the entire grid. Private networks also provide workforce management with reliable connectivity and a secure communication channel.

In short, the role of private wireless networks within the energy and utility sector is growing as companies are increasingly inclined to establish their own private networks for greater control and ownership of their communication infrastructure. Likewise, it’s proving to be a dependable solution to support grid modernization and other operations that enhance systems security and overall worker safety.

The Alliance for private networks is championing the global industry adoption of private wireless networks in any available spectrum. Our deployment resources and tools accelerate digital transformation and are available to utility managers hoping to identify new methods for improving their operations. Explore our resources and tools on the Alliance website and contact us today to learn about available options.

Enterprises are turning to private networks to drive their digital transformation. By leveraging private network technologies, industry verticals can create intelligent, dynamic, and flexible systems that offer a range of benefits, including speed, reliability, low latency, security, mobility, and indoor and outdoor coverage. However, enterprises cannot always access licensed spectrum and public networks do not always meet the coverage and reliability requirements of complex enterprise environments.

Status of locally licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum

Spectrum is a necessary piece for deploying private networks. The management of spectrum is typically categorized into three types:

• Horizontal sharing, which can allow exclusivity for spectrum access. In this case, the use of spectrum is coordinated and locally licensed spectrum is an example.
• Vertical sharing, where spectrum usage occurs according to different priority levels. Higher priority must be protected from harmful interference from usage at lower priority. This approach is used in the US 3.5 GHz CBRS band, which has three priority layers.
• Unlicensed spectrum, where spectrum is shared dynamically with mitigation techniques for interference, such as Listen-Before-Talk and power restrictions.

Shared spectrum access is managed by the local government and other regulatory bodies. For example, the US has dedicated the CBRS band for private network deployments. Germany, Japan, the UK, Denmark, and others have also allocated specific spectrum bands for private networks.

Figure 1: A Global Snapshot of local licensed or shared spectrum available for private network deployments

Leveraging licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum

Shared or licensed spectrum alone cannot serve all the use cases needed in industry verticals. Unlicensed spectrum combined with licensed spectrum can provide enterprises with increased efficiency, flexibility, and reduced cost.

Figure 2: Unlicensed spectrum availability worldwide.

Technical challenges of spectrum allocation

Unfortunately, many countries have not made licensed spectrum available for private networks, leading to a lack of coordination on spectrum availability and challenges for enterprises looking to deploy private networks across different countries.  

As part of our goal to promote the global industry adoption of private networks, we encourage regulators and other governing bodies to make spectrum available to fit a wide range of use cases, performance, and deployment. By considering the following framework, regulators can stimulate access to and meet the growing need for private mobile networks across industry verticals:

• Lower the barrier to entry of spectrum access by facilitating timely access to affordable quality spectrum to meet the increasing needs and use cases.
• Promote the development and testing of innovative use cases and services by opening access to new spectrum bands by issuing test licenses.
• Advance regulatory actions that facilitate a level playing field to local network operators with different stakeholder saliences.
• Provide improved flexibility and scalability required by the novel use cases through varying service level parameters and customer value.
• Develop and utilize automated authorization and spectrum management processes to deliver timely and equal opportunity access and high efficiency for network deployments.
• Support the creation of automated marketplaces to stimulate the reuse of unused spectrum resources and reduce transaction costs associated with spectrum leasing.
• Encourage researchers to develop technical solutions that address real-life spectrum access challenges in specific bands with incumbent systems by promoting the sharing of knowledge. 

Read the Characterization of regulatory frameworks for spectrum access in local mobile communication network deployments article via IEEE Xplore to learn more about this topic.

Alliance for private networks resources

The Alliance for private networks is championing the global industry adoption of private networks by educating the ecosystem and providing publicly available tools that ease deployment, such as:

• The Uni5G™ technology blueprints, which leverage 3GPP 5G standards to define profiling and classification requirements, enabling industry verticals to efficiently deploy their own optimized, reliable, and secure 5G private network.
• A unique global PLMN-ID, which simplifies the path to private network deployment in any available spectrum and accelerates the ecosystem.
• An interactive spectrum map that allows enterprises to identify the available spectrum for their individual country and/or region. Based on data gathered from Alliance member companies and their specialists, our interactive spectrum map provides global tracking of available locally licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum bands.

To learn more about the resources and tools we provide for private network deployments, visit www.mfa-tech.org. 

Taking place September 24-25 at the Hilton Rotterdam, Netherlands, the annual Smart Digital Ports of the Future Europe 2024 will explore ground-breaking technologies that are actively transforming port operations. The event’s focus centers on collaboration, digitalization, smart technologies, connectivity, autonomous technology & drones, decarbonization, cybersecurity, and more. And with attendee goals such as increasing efficiency, security, sustainability, and overall operational effectiveness, the Alliance is looking forward to highlighting our problem-solving tools.

The Alliance for private networks is excited to return to SDP and continue to champion the global adoption of private networks for port operations. Along with a hosted kiosk, an Alliance representative from member company Nokia will be participating in the “5G Private Networks: Real Cases of Utilization” panel discussion on Tuesday, September 24, from 2 – 3 pm CET. The panel will discuss how higher bandwidth, lower latency, and improved reliability provided by private network deployment is resulting in measurable efficiency gains.

Visit our exhibit table to learn about our resources and tools that simplify the path to private network deployments – including the Uni5G™ technology blueprints, the Network Identifier Program, and a comprehensive spectrum availability tracker.

Schedule a meeting with our onsite representatives to learn about private network deployments for port operations here.

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See you in Rotterdam!

Private cellular networks provide next-level coverage, low latency, device density, consistent reliability, mobility, and security that enterprises and industry verticals are seeking to successfully achieve their automation and digitalization goals. In this blog, we explore the top three benefits private cellular networks offer for mining operations.

Communication challenges on mining sites with automated equipment are multifaceted. One major hurdle is the vast and often remote nature of mining operations, where equipment may be scattered across expansive areas – including underground tunnels – making it difficult for team members and equipment to maintain consistent connectivity. Physical obstacles, such as rock formations and tunnels, can hinder signal propagation, leading to signal dropouts and serious latency issues. Additionally, the noisy and dynamic environment with heavy machinery operation and explosive blasts can disrupt wireless communication systems, affecting the reliability of data transmission. Overcoming these challenges requires the deployment of robust and resilient communication networks able to adapt to the harsh conditions, ensuring seamless connectivity for the efficient operation of automated equipment and, more importantly, the safety of personnel.

1. Reliability and coverage in extreme conditions
   Remote environmental monitoring is the number one driving use case for Industry of Things (IoT) adoption by mines. Private networks are able to endure the extreme weather and environmental conditions of mining operations. Compared to other options, private networks cover a larger area, requiring fewer access points for the pit, and are not sensitive to explosive blasts. In other words, private networks maintain consistent coverage – even in extreme weather conditions and remote locations.
2. Automation and device monitoring
   
   Automation and electrification in mines require dependable networks that can withstand extreme environments. Private networks enable automation in the pits, supporting tasks such as tele-remote and autonomous drilling. Automation also helps prevent potential failure by sharing vehicle information indicating upcoming service requirements and preventing potential failures and other issues. Additionally, connected systems can follow a vehicle, flag the type of material that is loaded, and alert the driver if they are going to the wrong place to dump their haul, ensuring quality performance and avoiding wasted time. Using a private cellular network to help automate these heavy-moving vehicles, massive drills, complex machinery and equipment provides the reliable, low-latency connectivity in both indoor and outdoor environments – ensuring full control without any blind spots.
   
3. Data and worker safety
   Private networks help keep sensitive data safe from cyber-attacks. Additionally, they enhance worker safety by providing reliable connectivity and help improve productivity and decision-making thanks to efficient processing of sensor data that can be rapidly collected throughout the mine.

By ensuring uninterrupted communication even in the harshest environments, enabling seamless data exchange, and enhancing safety measures, private wireless networks can be an ideal solution for mining sites. The integration of automation and device monitoring not only boosts operational efficiency but also provides real-time insights into equipment health and performance. These advancements are pivotal in ushering mining operations into a safer and more cost-effective future.

Learn more about the tools and resources the Alliance has available to assist in the launching of a private network for your mining business here.

Private networks were at the forefront of Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2024 (MWC’24) – with a wide range of ecosystem players announcing newly-developed products and solutions, partnerships, and deployments, including Nokia and Intel, Ericsson, Toyota, Verizon, Dell, and many more. According to the annual GSMA Intelligence Operator Enterprise Survey, nearly 60% of operators launched or were testing private 5G in 2023.

The Alliance for private networks was pleased to return to MWC’24 to promote the overall benefits of private deployment and share how we are enabling industry verticals to efficiently establish their own optimized, reliable, and secure 5G private network in any available spectrum. During the event, Alliance representatives engaged in exciting conversations with industry leaders to discuss the applications and vertical use cases for private networks, including manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and several others.

We were pleased to see the obvious growth of the ecosystem and the advancement of private networks based on 4G/LTE and 5G technologies driven by the increasing data, security, digitization, and mobility needs of enterprise and government.

During the Global 5G Alliances Summit @MWC Barcelona – powered by APAC 5G Industry Community, ecosystem players from various industry organizations and companies shared how enterprises are utilizing private networks to drive their digital transformation. Member company representative Alexander Kirchner, Nokia’s Director of Business Development, was on hand to share information explaining how and why the Alliance continues to support industry leaders – who may not be telecom experts – seeking to easily understand the private network deployment process.

The Alliance is championing global industry adoption of private networks by educating the ecosystem and providing publicly available tools that ease deployment, such as:

• The Uni5G technology blueprints, which leverage 3GPP 5G standards to define profiling and classification requirements, enabling industry verticals to efficiently deploy their own optimized, reliable, and secure 5G private network in any available spectrum.
• Our unique global PLMN-ID simplifies the path to private network deployment and accelerates the ecosystem.

Join our efforts by visiting www.mfa-tech.org.