Industries today are under constant pressure to improve product quality, boost factory efficiency, stay competitive, enhance safety, security, and sustainability, all the while remaining profitable. And by evolving certain technologies, we evolve the network platform which will fundamentally change the way we innovate.
Let’s take a look at the port and mining industries, two of the most crucial industries in the world: ports are fundamental to the global economy as they transfer up to 90 percent of the world's goods, while the mining industry produces $1.5 trillion worth of rare earth elements annually, accounting for 2% of global gross domestic product (GDP) on its own, as per the 2020 World Mining Data report.
However, due to the slow modernization and the large-scale nature of these industries, certain efficiency challenges emerge. Issues like vessel and truck congestion at ports can slow down businesses, result in high handling costs of containers and lead to an increase in the price of goods. These hold-ups can have a knock-on effect on economic development which is why it is vital that we use smart technological solutions to address these challenges.
Cellular networks bring unprecedented optimization value to port and mining sites, delivering a new level of process and operational efficiency that reduces costs, lowers environmental impact, and boosts economic value. The Port of Livorno, for instance, which Ericsson has supported in enabling IoT, has reported that optimizing vessel berthing led to a 20% average cost reduction per year which was equal to roughly 2.5 million Euros. Our work at Ericsson with Rotterdam World Gateway in implementing a private LTE network also saw an enhancement in performance, reliability, and data security of the terminal. In addition to securing all year-round operations, the private LTE network further enabled robust and cost-effective data communication for around 100 clients on the container terminal.
The port and mining industries are just two examples of where countless businesses around the world are currently being transformed by digital technologies. Two reports from Ericsson examine how private cellular networks — typically 4G and 5G — will play a critical role.
As industries start adopting digital technologies and automation, we aspire to enable these technologies through innovative cellular technology that maximizes productivity, reduces inefficiencies, and enables sustainability.
