Private Mobile Networks: the key to Industry 4.0

November 14, 2023

Private Mobile Networks (PMNs) are wireless communication infrastructures similar to conventional mobile networks, but dedicated and exclusive to a specific organization or location: factories, warehouses, urban areas and even geographic areas such as an agricultural facility, as they can be implemented both indoors and outdoors to suit the specific needs of each company.

Unlike public mobile networks, which are open to all customers and users of an operator, PMNs are closed and only accessible to authorized users. For this reason, being customized and closed networks, they provide companies with full control over their communications infrastructure, its operation, traffic, or performance. In addition, PMNs offer a high level of security using encryption and authentication protocols to protect data and ensure network integrity.

Considering Mobile Private Networks as part of a digital transformation strategy allows companies to take full advantage of the benefits offered in terms of security, performance, and flexibility.

Functioning and characteristics of Private Mobile Networks

One of the main characteristics of Private Mobile Networks (PMN) is their high data transfer capacity. PMNs operate over wireless communication technologies, such as 4G LTE or 5G, providing a high quality, low latency connection.

Key features include:

Full enterprise control over the network, including traffic management, security, and configuration.
Customization and scalability according to specific business needs, evolution, and growth.
High quality connectivity in terms of coverage and capacity, with lower latency compared to public networks.

Advantages and benefits of Mobile Private Networks

As private networks, they improve security by reducing the risk of external attacks and data leaks.
High capacity and low latency facilitate the implementation of critical applications in real time.
The ability to customize their operation and infrastructure offers greater flexibility to meet specific needs, such as the integration of IoT devices.
PMNs operate independently of public networks, ensuring business continuity even when public networks are overloaded or down.

🔒 Security is a fundamental pillar of PMNs. These networks incorporate advanced Cyber Security measures, such as data encryption, strong authentication, and network segmentation, to protect against cyber threats and ensure data integrity.

PMNs can be used in all types of industries and processes, including:

In manufacturing to connect machines, robots and IoT devices to automate your production processes, improve efficiency and reduce costs.
In logistics, distribution, and transportation to connect vehicles, warehouses, containers and IoT devices to gain full supply chain visibility, optimize routes and reduce delivery times.
In healthcare and medical care to connect patients, doctors, medical devices, and information systems to provide better patient care, reduce costs and increase safety.
In the energy sector to connect power plants, power grids and IoT devices in production and distribution infrastructures to provide better service, improve efficiency and reduce costs and emissions.

Mobile Private Networks in Industry 4.0

In the Industry 4.0 context, PMNs are critical to enable technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), automation and artificial intelligence. Mobile Private Networks provide robust and secure interconnection of all components of industrial processes, leveraging next-generation technologies to optimize processes, reduce costs and maintain your competitiveness.

These networks, for example, allow the implementation of sensors and IoT (Internet of Things) devices to collect real-time data on machine performance, product quality, energy consumption, among others. This data can be analyzed and used to make informed decisions and improve process efficiency.

In addition, PMNs allow the implementation of technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality, which can be used to train workers, perform remote maintenance, or simulate processes prior to their implementation.

Case studies: Gestamp and Navantia

○ Gestamp, a leading company in the automotive sector, implemented a PMN PoC to automate its manufacturing processes. The use of PMN enabled more efficient communication between its machines and control systems, reducing production times and increasing the quality of the final product.

○ Navantia, a benchmark in the shipbuilding industry, has integrated PMNs to improve its shipbuilding and maintenance processes. The implementation of these networks has facilitated better data management and more effective communication between the various components of its shipyards, significantly improving operational efficiency.

Mobile Private Networks as a backup to public networks

Public networks offer wide geographical coverage, but are more susceptible to problems of congestion, security, and even specific coverage. For example, an industrial facility may not have good coverage in specific areas of the facility where adequate connectivity is needed.

On the other hand, Mobile Private Networks, although limited in the geographic scope of their coverage, provide greater security, reliability, and customization, including providing adequate coverage in precise locations of an industrial facility.

Therefore, Mobile Private Networks serve as a backup for public networks in situations where the latter are unstable or overloaded. In the event of public network failures, they maintain the critical operability of business services, thus ensuring business continuity.

Telefónica Tech's Mobile Private Network solutions

Telefónica Tech offers a wide range of PMN solutions ranging from devices and connectivity to platforms and operations. Our end-to-end approach meets the customized needs of each enterprise, backed by recognition from analysts such as Gartner.

Our Mobile Private Networks are suitable for medium to large enterprises in any industry, optimizing processes, reducing costs and improving competitiveness through tailored configurations that include hybrid private and fully private 5G networks, according to each customer's specific needs.

Hybrid private 5G networks: These networks offer greater flexibility and scalability, as they can use existing infrastructure and expand as needed. Hybrid private networks provide public network backup, ensuring service continuity in the event of failures or congestion in the private network.
Fully private 5G private networks: offer a higher level of control and security, as they do not rely on the public network infrastructure. These networks offer a higher level of control and security as they do not depend on the public network infrastructure, such as those operating in highly regulated sectors or those requiring confidentiality and data protection.

Conclusión

Telefónica Tech offers a comprehensive approach to PMNs, providing not only the necessary network infrastructure, but also devices, connectivity, management platforms and data analytics, and ensures continuity of operations through its Network Operations Center (NOC). This ensures that companies can count on a complete and customized solution for their needs, without having to worry about network management and maintenance.

In this way, Telefónica Tech's private mobile network (PMN) solutions allow companies to take advantage of new generation technologies to optimize processes, reduce costs and maintain their competitiveness. With a comprehensive approach, Telefónica Tech offers customized and complete solutions for each customer's needs.

Telefónica Tech NOC: Private 5G connectivity management

The Network Operation Center (NOC) at Telefónica Tech is essential for managing private networks, particularly in the realm of 5G connectivity across critical sectors such as industry, healthcare, and energy. Located in Spain and Brazil, this center provides constant support and monitoring in multiple languages, ensuring secure and efficient connections.

In this way, we guarantee private networks' continuous operation, detecting and responding to incidents before they impact users. It offers 24/7 service with quick response times and support in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. Additionally, it implements robust security measures and has continuity and disaster recovery plans in place.

Telefónica Tech's NOC ensures efficient and secure operation of private networks in critical sectors, with a strong emphasis on security, quality, and efficiency.