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Through the proliferation of 5G technology, a new epoch of industry is emerging, which stretches far behind the conventional walls into the most hostile and inaccessible places on the planet. The drive behind this is ultra-reliable, low-latency connectivity that can provide real-time control and previously unseen visibility into remote operations.
In sectors such as mining, energy, and agriculture, the potential of automation and data-driven efficiency has long been undermined by an unproven lack of reliable connectivity. 5G, with its faster bandwidth and network slicing features, is finally busting the doors and unlocking a safer, more efficient, and sustainable future of industrial operation.
Conquering Extreme Environments with Rugged 5G
It is not the distance that makes 5G implementation in remote industrial locations a real challenge but the conditions. Even common networking devices are unable to survive the dust, shaking forces, heat, and moisture present in such rough terrain. In this case, dedicated technology is important.
The ruggedized 5G terminals of SMAwave are specifically designed to do so. Constructed to an industrial standard, they are designed to provide high bandwidth, stable connectivity where none existed before. Their coarse surface and their resistance to physical and environmental pressure keeps them going all day and all night even on the offshore platform in a windy environment or in the dry heat of a desert mine. Any mission-critical remote application is based on this reliability.
Revolutionizing Key Industries with Reliable Connectivity
The uses of strong 5G connectivity are diverse and disruptive in a number of industries.
Mining and Oil and Gas
In mining, 5G is used to remotely control heavy machinery such as excavators and haul trucks at a safe, centralized control station that is thousands of miles away. This helps to keep personnel out of hazardous deep-pit locations and also boosts productivity. The same applies to oil and gas, as operators can view drill sites and sensors on the pipeline in real-time and get immediate data about pressure, flow, and possible leakages to enable predictive maintenance and safety improvements.
Agriculture and Renewable Energy
Precision agriculture uses 5G to process huge amounts of data produced by drones and field sensors in order to optimize irrigation and the harvest. Renewable energy is transforming the handling of large scale solar farms and, more importantly, offshore wind farms. With 5G, it is no longer as easy as sending a technician to a turbine in the middle of a stormy sea, making remote diagnosis and managing it a possibility that ensures maximum efficiency and minimizes the necessity to make dangerous manned missions.
Case Study Remote Mining Operations and Offshore Management
Take the example of a distant mining operation in which SMAwave 5G terminals are installed. The location connects a private 5G network, which enables operators to program equipment with almost-instant response times. Video images of many cameras can give a clear overview of the whole business as sensors on the conveyors or other processing machines feed data to analytics systems, so unexpected downtime is prevented.
In the case of an offshore wind farm, the technology is a game changer. The tough terminals by SMAwave used on turbines resist the corrosive salt water and strong hurricane winds. They offer the bandwidth required to constantly check the health of turbines, operate the blade pitch remotely and even remotely operate autonomous inspection drones. This leads to safer processes, reduced operation costs and maximized energy production.