Improving site-wide industrial connectivity
The multinational was looking for a secure mobile network solution that could cope with the challenges of a seaport, including a predominantly metal environment, awide area of operations, pressure on productivity, security risks, and sustainability goals.
Enhance communications
Orange Business provided the multinational with secure robust communication for remote controlled equipment
Transforming communications to enhance productivity and safety
The multinational sought an enhanced network that could provide coverage in the yard area of ports. This allows it to initially control its straddle carrier remotely. A straddle carrier carries freight by straddling it as opposed to on top, which means containers can be moved without cranes. The multinational is looking at using the solution for other autonomous moving vehicles in the future.
Connecting the terminal effectively with a mobile network is not easy. There is significant shadowing and reduced coverage at both yards due to steel containers, some stacked five units high. At the same time, the quantity and location of the containers are continually changing.
To overcome these hurdles, the multinational turned to long-term partner Orange Business to provide it with a 4G LTE mobile private network. With this technology and expertise, Orange was able to build out network coverage with the required capacity, performance and security.
A network with the agility and stability to run freight operations
Orange Business worked closely with the multinational and ports to deploy a tailor-made private 4G LTE network to satisfy its communications needs in its port yards. By using a mobile private network, the multinational has minimized civil engineering works.
The private 4G LTE network is a standalone solution installed on-site. In Morocco, Orange Business had the advantage of working with Orange Maroc, one of the biggest licensed telecommunications operators in the country.
In Jordan, a hybrid network that is partly private and partly public was decided upon.
The network is initially being used to remote-control straddle carriers from the terminals’ remote-control rooms. Devices installed in the straddle carriers are attached to the 4G private mobile network. This provides secure video services and application control to control the freight carriers.
Full control to improve port safety
The purpose-built, cost-effective end-to-end network provides the multinational with the high-speed, low-latency connectivity it needs for mission-critical applications in its port yards.
Using the network to initially remotely control its straddle carriers and cranes means there are fewer workers exposed to dangers in the yard, significantly reducing safety risks when dealing with huge cargo consignments.
The single private wireless network covers the port terminals with reliable industrial-grade wireless, which will be used for additional applications such as automated guided vehicles.
