TECHNOLOGY
Collaboration = Innovation Collaboration is the key to unlocking that next level of connectivity , believes Laguna . “ It ’ s super important because we are talking about ecosystem availability ,” he says . “ Nokia can deliver end to end solutions , but we are not building everything for a mine … That ecosystem , that availability a customer needs to start connecting , equipment is very important for the adoption of new technologies . You can have the best network , but if you cannot connect your personnel , your machines , your processes , then you can ’ t achieve anything .”
When Nokia first deployed private LTE networking for the mining industry , it was a “ no-brainer ” to start working with leading equipment providers like Sandvik and Komatsu to define future objectives . “ They provide the real assets driving the daily activity of mining ,” notes Laguna . “ But they ’ re not interested in becoming telcos .” That ’ s where Nokia comes in , to ensure that when its mining customers buy new equipment , it works and connects , as expected .
“ We worked with Sandvik and Komatsu to test our solution and validate its technology so we can guarantee the interoperability required for our customers ,” assures Laguna . “ We deployed a 5G standalone network at Sandvik ’ s test mine in Tampere , Finland , for the purpose of validating specific applications related to the autonomous operations and maintenance of its machines . The telemetry and video coming from the machines need to be supported by the network , and that ' s the play we ’ re working on with Sandvik .”
Meanwhile , a similar approach was taken with Komatsu to test connectivity for its autonomous haulage ( AHS ) trucks in an open-pit scenario required by many
“ We want to give our customers the flexibility to embrace 5G by being able to choose from a variety of devices that follow open standards ”
JAIME LAGUNA DIGITAL INDUSTRIES , HEAD OF VERTICAL FOR OIL & GAS AND MINING , NOKIA
76 July 2021