Imagine being stranded in the depths of an underground mine or on a distant oil platform, cut off from the world. For many of us, the thought of losing our connection is anxiety-inducing, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Now, picture this isolation as a daily reality for workers and communities in some of the world’s most remote locations. Traditional public cellular and Wi-Fi networks fall short in these challenging environments, leaving a critical communication void.
Enter private cellular networks (PCNs), the mobile solution bridging this digital divide. PCNs are rapidly gaining traction in various industries, with mining emerging as the third most popular vertical for private network deployments worldwide. Oil and gas operations, while not far behind, rank in the top 10 for PCN implementations. The trend also extends to other remote sectors, with deployments seen in farm and forestry operations.
PCN Transformations Across Remote Industries
Let’s explore how PCNs address unique challenges and drive innovation across some of the world’s most demanding and isolated industries.
Mining Industry: Conquering Underground Challenges
Deep underground, where rock formations seem to swallow radio waves, miners have traditionally faced a world of isolation. Traditional Wi-Fi and public cellular networks struggle to penetrate these subterranean realms, creating an inconvenience and a significant safety risk. Without reliable communication, coordinating emergency responses becomes a dangerous gamble.
Newmont Corporation, a leading gold mining company, is revolutionizing its underground mining operations by implementing private 5G wireless networks following successful trials at its Cadia Mine in Australia. The private 5G solution, developed in partnership with Ericsson and Telstra Purple, significantly improved upload and download speeds, enabling reliable operation of remote-controlled and autonomous mining systems. Based on these impressive results, Newmont plans to expand private 5G networks across its global operations, aiming to enhance safety measures and increase operational efficiency through the deployment of autonomous fleets and advanced safety systems.
Similarly, NTT partnered with Albemarle Corporation to deploy a private LTE/5G network at their Kings Mountain lithium mine in North Carolina. The network enables global engineers to conduct remote site surveys and provide technical assistance, significantly improving hybrid work capabilities and decision-making speed. According to Albemarle, the private network delivers the widespread, high-speed connectivity needed for digital applications cost-effectively. Albemarle plans to implement similar networks across additional sites after the successful pilot.
According to Ericsson, PCNs are revolutionizing these underground operations, with ROIs exceeding 200%. The Smart Mining Market size consistently maintains around $34 billion annually through the end of the decade, per Mordor Intelligence. Here’s how PCNs are transforming mining:
- PCNs provide low-latency voice and video communication throughout mine shafts and tunnels, enabling swift emergency response and operational coordination.
- PCN-enabled fully autonomous or remote-controlled mining equipment allows operators to control massive excavators and haul trucks from safe locations above ground, significantly reducing exposure to hazardous areas.
- PCNs support accurate underground positioning systems, helping miners navigate complex tunnel systems with unprecedented accuracy, boosting both safety and productivity.
- PCN-connected sensors track ore quality and quantity in real-time, optimizing extraction and processing efficiency.
- Continuous equipment health monitoring through connected sensors enables proactive maintenance schedules, reducing downtime and extending equipment life.
| Mining Industry: Key Challenges Addressed by Private Cellular Networks Signal Penetration: Rock formations block traditional radio waves Safety Communications: Limited ability to coordinate emergency responses Equipment Monitoring: Difficulty tracking machinery health in real-time Navigation: Complex underground tunnel systems pose orientation challenges Worker Isolation: Poor connectivity impacts operational coordination and worker wellbeing Environment: Dust, humidity, and confined spaces threaten equipment durability |
Oil and Gas Industry: Connecting Offshore Operations
Miles out at sea, offshore oil and gas platforms battle nature’s most formidable elements. Traditional communication equipment struggles against salty air and fierce storms, while conventional remote monitoring systems like SCADA fall short of bandwidth requirements for comprehensive oversight.
Brazilian oil and gas company Petrobras exemplifies the industry’s transformation, expanding private LTE operations across 11 offshore platforms and six onshore sites, with plans to connect all 46 sites to private LTE and eventually 5G by 2024. According to McKinsey and Company, advanced connectivity optimization could add up to $250 billion of value to the industry’s upstream operations by 2030.
PCNs are enabling:
- Real-time monitoring and optimization of every production aspect, allowing rapid response to changing conditions.
- Immediate leak detection and location along pipelines, preventing catastrophic spills and ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Increased platform automation reduces personnel in dangerous environments while maintaining productivity.
- PCN-enabled wearables and environmental sensors implement sophisticated safety protocols with instant hazard alerts.
- High-bandwidth applications enable augmented reality (AR) for remote expert guidance, improving problem-solving efficiency.
| Oil & Gas Industry: Key Challenges Addressed by Private Cellular Networks Harsh Elements: Equipment exposed to corrosive salt air and extreme weather Remote Monitoring: Traditional SCADA systems lack sufficient bandwidth Safety Oversight: Difficulty monitoring hazardous conditions in real-time Personnel Risk: High-risk environments require frequent human presence Distance: Vast distances between operations centers and platforms Environmental Compliance: Limited ability to detect and respond to leaks quickly |
Forestry Industry: Managing Natural Resources
In vast, dense woodlands where traditional cellular networks provide spotty or non-existent coverage, PCNs are revolutionizing forestry management. Environmental monitoring becomes more effective, and even fundamental tasks like equipment tracking gain new precision.
AirForestry’s collaboration with Tele2 and Nokia in Sweden demonstrates this transformation, using private 5G networks to enable precision forestry through enhanced connectivity for sensors and data collection tools. Their implementation includes:
- Real-time data collection on growth rates and optimal harvesting times, balancing economic needs with environmental conservation.
- Early warning systems through PCN-connected sensors and drones for rapid fire detection and response.
- Support for autonomous or remote-controlled equipment, ensuring sustainable timber extraction with minimal environmental impact.
- Camera traps and acoustic sensors monitor wildlife populations in real-time, informing conservation efforts.
- Improved equipment tracking in dense forest environments where traditional GPS may falter.
| Forestry Industry: Key Challenges Addressed by Private Cellular Networks Coverage Gaps: Dense vegetation blocks traditional cellular signals Environmental Monitoring: Difficulty tracking forest health and fire risks Equipment Location: GPS unreliability under thick canopy Resource Management: Limited real-time data for harvest optimization Wildlife Protection: Challenge in monitoring biodiversity impact Emergency Response: Delayed reaction time to forest fires and other threats |
Agriculture: Cultivating Smart Farming
Across vast, remote farmlands, PCNs are fostering data-driven agriculture. With ABI Research forecasting private network revenue to grow at a 68% CAGR between 2023 and 2030, reaching $3.2 billion, and 87% of farmers planning to use more data in daily decisions, according to the OnGo Alliance, the agricultural transformation is well underway.
PCNs enable:
- Advanced techniques optimize irrigation, fertilization, and pest control in remote farms, reducing waste while improving yields.
- Connected wearables track animal health and location, preventing disease outbreaks and enhancing welfare.
- Long-range aerial monitoring supports rapid response to issues like pest infestations or irrigation problems.
- Reliable connectivity improves logistics coordination, reducing food waste and enhancing market access.
- Real-time insights from farm sensors and equipment optimize operations from planting to harvest.
| Agriculture Industry: Key Challenges Addressed by Private Cellular Networks Infrastructure Gaps: Limited internet and cellular coverage in rural areas Data Synchronization: Difficulty updating farming systems in real-time Resource Optimization: Limited ability to monitor irrigation and soil conditions Livestock Management: Challenge in tracking animal health and location |
Future Trends in PCNs for Remote Locations
Future Trends in PCNs for Remote Locations
As Private Cellular Networks continue transforming remote industries, several key technological advances are set to expand their capabilities further:
- Advanced Robotics Integration: PCN-enabled drones and robots will extend human reach in hazardous environments, from autonomous drones monitoring remote pipelines to underwater robots maintaining offshore installations. In mining, PCN-connected robots will explore areas too dangerous for human workers, while agricultural drones will manage vast farmlands with unprecedented precision.
- Satellite-PCN Convergence: The integration of next-generation satellite systems, particularly low Earth orbit constellations, with terrestrial PCNs will eliminate connectivity gaps in even the most isolated locations. This convergence will enable high-bandwidth applications like real-time 4K video streaming from remote installations and complex data analysis in previously unconnected areas.
- IoT and Environmental Monitoring: Vast networks of PCN-connected sensors will revolutionize environmental monitoring and resource management. From tracking wildlife in untouched forests to monitoring glacial changes in polar regions, these systems will provide critical data about our planet’s most isolated areas while enabling more efficient resource management.
- Enhanced Emergency Response: PCN-powered AI systems will improve disaster prediction and response in remote areas, integrating data from various sensors and weather stations to protect vulnerable communities. During crises, PCN-enabled augmented reality will guide first responders with real-time information about conditions on the ground.
This future is already emerging, as demonstrated by T-Mobile’s 5G On Demand solution—a portable private network service supporting data-intensive applications across various remote scenarios, from natural disasters to construction sites.
Conclusion
Private cellular networks are revolutionizing connectivity in the world’s most isolated places on Earth and beyond. From underground mines to offshore platforms and soon the lunar surface, PCNs enable more innovative, safer, and more sustainable practices across industries. NASA’s plan to deploy a 4G network on the moon, in partnership with Nokia’s Bell Labs, exemplifies the fantastic potential of this technology.
As PCNs continue to evolve, integrating with advanced technologies like robotics, satellite systems, and AI, they’re not just filling connectivity gaps but redefining what’s possible in challenging environments. By empowering remote communities and industries with high-speed connectivity and innovative solutions, PCNs are bridging vast distances and connecting the most isolated corners of our world – and beyond – to the digital age. This technology is paving the way for unprecedented advancements in science, industry, and human exploration.
