Konecranes has signed a three-year cooperation agreement with data operator Ukkoverkot and Nokia for a private LTE mobile network leveraging 5G concepts and a global digital automation platform to benefit ports and large manufacturing operations.
The private mobile broadband, to be built on Konecranes group headquarters in Hyvinkää, will accelerate the research and product development in the field of Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) and business-critical broadband connectivity.
Juha Pankakoski, Executive Vice President, Technologies at Konecranes, said: “With this advanced network, Konecranes has the immediate possibility to utilize future technology and develop 5G capabilities.
“We believe that better communication capacity, reduced latency and computing power provided in the network infrastructure will enhance our current offering or create something completely new.
“The new mobile network technology has the potential to bring machine-to-machine communications, IoT security and machine learning to the next level, which would benefit ports and large manufacturing operations.”
View Konecranes' range of lifting solutions in PTI's Supplier Directory
Konecranes, Nokia and Ukkoverkot to cooperate – smart cranes depart on the 5G journey
Learn more about automation in Konecranes' research paper 'Automation and Electric Drives' by Dr-Ing Armin Wieschemann, Senior Director of Global System Development, Konecranes
Stephan Litjens, General Manager, Digital Automation, Nokia, commented: “Private broadband networks bring an entirely new level of advanced and robust wireless connectivity solutions into various enterprise segments and industries, and it’s an area where Nokia is aiming to expand.
“Our technology allows Konecranes to significantly increase the level of automation and analytics by adding more sensors, actuators, video cameras and other appliances into their already world-leading solution.”
Read more: Indonesian port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia 3 (Pelindo 3) has ordered five new Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbour Cranes for its terminal at Surabaya in East Java, Indonesia
