Alcatel Submarine Networks Deploys Private 5G

Unlocking Industry 4.0: Europe’s Largest Private Industrial 5G Network Deployment at Alcatel Submarine Networks

Amidst the technological revolution of Industry 4.0, the manufacturing landscape witnesses a significant milestone as Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), along with Nokia and Free Mobile France, pioneers the deployment of Europe’s largest private industrial 5G network. Renowned for its expertise in crafting underwater fiber optic cabling, ASN embarks on a transformative journey to modernize its production processes, optimizing operational performance, and enhancing employee workflows. Join us as we delve into the groundbreaking intersection of telecommunications and underwater infrastructure manufacturing.

Company Overview

Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), now part of Nokia since 2016, is a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and laying of fiber optic submarine cables. With over 700,000 kilometers of cable deployed worldwide and more than 300,000 kilometers under maintenance, ASN has delivered over 200 fiber optic systems as of January 1, 2022. As one of the key players in the industry, ASN plays a vital role in facilitating global communication, with 99% of internet traffic traversing through submarine cables.

Organizational Needs

Facing the imperative to modernize its industrial processes and embrace Industry 4.0 principles, ASN embarked on a transformative journey to deploy Europe’s largest private industrial 5G network at its production site in Calais, France. The challenges were manifold, ranging from the need to optimize operational efficiency and enhance working conditions to implementing cutting-edge technologies for real-time quality control and predictive maintenance.

About the Facility

Nestled in Calais, the Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) facility sprawls over 50,000 square meters, housing 11 buildings and loading docks. Renowned for its production of optical submarine systems, ASN boasts an impressive manufacturing history, having deployed over 700,000 kilometers of undersea cables worldwide.

Project Goals:

• Digitize industrial processes to streamline operations, ensuring permanent access to reliable documentation.
• Utilize laser sensors to manage cable storage tank fill levels, enabling real-time availability monitoring.
• Optimize energy resource management through a comprehensive consumption monitoring system.
• Connect glasses to facilitate remote maintenance support, enhancing equipment maintenance in workshops.
• Anticipate equipment breakdowns by analyzing production incident data.

Key Use Cases

Technologies + Solutions Deployed

In collaboration with strategic partners including Nokia, Iliad Group, Free Pro, Sopra Steria, and BSCA, ASN embarked on a rigorous development and integration process spanning over two years to deploy the groundbreaking private 5G network. Leveraging Nokia’s expertise and innovative solutions, the network comprises 59 small cell antennas (57 indoor and 2 outdoor) strategically positioned across the 50,000 square-meter production site. Utilizing the 700 MHz band for LTE and the 3.5 GHz CBRS band for 5G, the network ensures secure, high-speed, and reliable connectivity essential for supporting a myriad of industrial IoT applications and use cases.

Benefits and Results Experienced

The deployment of the private 5G network has yielded transformative benefits for ASN’s operations, ushering in a new era of efficiency, productivity, and connectivity. From digitizing industrial processes and optimizing energy resource management to enabling predictive maintenance and real-time quality control, the network has become a cornerstone of ASN’s Industry 4.0 initiative. With round-trip data transfers of less than 10 milliseconds and seamless connectivity across the production site, the network empowers ASN to achieve unparalleled levels of operational excellence and innovation.

Notes About Deploying NDAC Solutions

While our Infinity Technology Solutions team was not involved in this project, our expertise in deploying Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) solutions positions us as a trusted partner for manufacturing clients and third-party service providers seeking to harness the transformative power of private wireless networks.

With a proven track record and deep domain knowledge, Infinity stands ready to assist manufacturing businesses in deploying cutting-edge connectivity solutions to unlock their full potential in the digital age.

About Infinity Technology Solutions

Infinity Technology Solutions specializes in broadband and critical communications infrastructure development. We help our channel partners create and deploy private wireless, microwave backhaul, IP/MPLS, and optical networking technologies.

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