Nokia paves way for Industry 4.0 with more than 120 private wireless network customers

Nov. 19, 2019
The wireless networking solutions will help leverage the potential from cloud technology, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning.

Nokia has deployed private wireless networks for more than 120 customers to help its enterprise customers take advantage of Industry 4.0 innovation.

Unleashing the potential of Industry 4.0 technologies such as cloud, IoT, AI and machine learning, Nokia’s private LTE/4.9G and 5G wireless networking solutions has established a footprint across energy, transportation, public sector, manufacturing and logistics, according to the company.

 “Enterprises who invest in Industry 4.0 today will gain a clear competitive advantage over those who chose to wait,” said Nokia Enterprise President Kathrin Buvac. “With spectrum and new technologies that have become available, enterprises can deploy industrial-grade wireless connectivity to capture the transformational benefits of digitalization and industrial automation.”

Building on this marketplace success, Nokia also announced an expansion of its portfolio of industrial-grade private networking solutions.

“ABI Research has quantified the private wireless networking market opportunity at US$ 16.3 billion by 2025. Accordingly, we have doubled-down our investments in R&D and human capital to create the most complete private wireless solutions portfolio in the market,” Buvac said. “Our deep industry expertise is reflected in the breadth of our customers, including more than 120 heavy-asset leaders in the mining, manufacturing, ports, utilities and airports sectors.”

Karl Bream, head of strategy for Nokia’s Enterprise business added, "Right now, there is tremendous appetite and momentum for private wireless networking as we see a coming together of key enablers that differentiate our proposition. LTE/4.9G has proven its ability to provide reliable, secure, high-capacity connectivity. And, spectrum availability is opening up with the availability of shared and unlicensed networking options, such as CBRS and MulteFire. Most importantly, Nokia is bringing to market an unparalleled combination of technology, services and partnerships to help customers deploy turnkey solutions that enable the next steps in their digital transformation.”

Nokia’s work with over 120 customers reaches across the globe and addresses the immediate needs of multiple industrial segments including:

  • 24 customers in transportation including Port of Kokkola, Port of Oulu and Vienna Airport
  • 35 customers in Energy including Minera Las Bambas S.A
  • 32 customers in public sector and smart cities including Sendai City and Nordic Telecom/Czech Republic
  • 11 customers in manufacturing and logistics including China Unicom/BMW and Ukkoverkot/Konecranes
  • Over 18 customers across other industries

Nokia’s private 4.9G/LTE and 5G wireless networking portfolio offers reliable and secure broadband wireless connectivity that delivers coverage across industrial sites. The industrial-grade solution also seamlessly extends beyond that, spanning their business footprint to support new applications as enterprises embrace the move to Industry 4.0.

The company has also expanded its private wireless ecosystem to include service providers and partners across cloud, systems integration, strategic consulting and industry specialists. All have a key role to play in the widescale adoption of private wireless across industries. Nokia’s list of ecosystem partners includes:

  • Communications service providers such as Telefonica Peru, Globalstar and A1
  • Cloud providers such as Microsoft
  • Industrial partners such as Kalmar, part of Cargotec and Komatsu
  • Strategic consulting and advisory firms as well as system integrators

“I’m excited to cooperate with Nokia to guide organizations on their digital transformation journey,” said Kari Järnström, managing director, DXC Technology Finland. “We see the potential in the synergy between Nokia’s end-to-end solutions for pervasive private LTE connectivity - including emerging 5G networking technology - and DXC’s knowledge and experience in integrating digital innovation into mainstream IT in key industry verticals.”

In July 2019, Nokia's 5G "factory of the future" in Oulu, Finland, was selected by the World Economic Forum as an Advanced 4th Industrial Revolution Lighthouse, demonstrating Nokia's ability to digitally transform and modernize its customers' manufacturing facilities for Industry 4.0.

New enhancement to create the industry’s most comprehensive private wireless portfolio

Nokia has further expanded its offer across the entire private wireless solution, from end-points to the applications and everything in between. It will provide expanded reach and capabilities, increased flexibility and ease of use, each of which are critical requirements for driving the adoption of wireless networking for Industry 4.0.

  • Expanded reach with the launch of the MulteFire industrial devices giving benefits of private wireless without spectrum availability concerns
  • CBRS (GAA) readiness with involvement in many Initial Commercial Deployments (ICD) and certification with Spectrum Access System (SAS) solutions partners
  • Support for vertical LTE spectrum band including B43 (Germany), B28/38 (France), B31/72 (450MHz) and B53 for Globalstar
  • Extended spectrum support for Nokia’s LTE-enabled IP/MPLS field area networking router, with the new 7705 SAR-Hmc
  • Second generation enterprise optimized 5G-ready wireless core with expanded capabilities, increased capacity, and concurrent 4.9G/5G operation
  • End-to-end private wireless connectivity solution for Microsoft’s Azure IoT platform, allowing rapid deployment of reliable wireless connectivity of IoT use-cases