Nokia and Claro deploy Chilean network

Nokia April 22 announced the deployment of a private LTE/4.9G wireless network for Minera Gold Fields, partnering with Claro Chile to equip the Salares Norte mine and transform the Chile-based operation into one of the most digitalized mines in Latin America.

As part of its wireless solution, Nokia is providing a complete retrofit that includes AirScale radio, small cells, packet core, IP routers and NetAct network management system.

In total, the network will connect 150 sensors for operational processes, monitoring and accident prevention in addition to 72 connected vehicles and machines.

Nokia and Claro will also provide professional services such as network design, testing and deployment. With this infrastructure, the network will enable critical voice, data, internet and video communications to improve employee safety, as well as operational efficiency and productivity.

While little need be said regarding the world-renowned Nokia, Claro is a subsidiary of América Móvil, the leading provider of telecommunications services in Latin America and can easily be thought of as the AT&T of South America.

The partnership between Nokia and Claro is intended to boost opportunities for the Chilean market to digitalize, which will expand the possibility of automation in mining, as well as other industries such as energy, railways, utilities and agriculture.

"Automation relies on the ability to sense, analyze and act. To do so, industries are connecting every sensor, machine and worker in the most flexible way," said Fernando Sosa, head of market unit southern cone, Nokia. "And for that they need business and mission-critical wireless networking solutions such as private LTE/4.9G. By working with Claro Chile to create such an automated ecosystem for Gold Fields, we are opening new opportunities for enterprises and other asset-intensive industries, such as energy and rail, throughout Chile."

Modern mining operations require highly reliable networks that can cover large outdoor sites or deep underground corridors. Industrial-grade private wireless solutions can offer robust, secure and predictable wireless coverage for OT use cases' critical connectivity.

This also enables a new evolution of services in mining, with a trustworthy, high-capacity, low-latency and multi-service network, connectivity for several thousands of workers, machines, sensors and applications changes the playing field for any digitized mining company.

"Today, business optimization is key for companies. This is why we work hard to develop solutions to strengthen their technological development and to promote automated processes, making them safer and more efficient," said Francisco Guzmán, director of Claro empresas. "In this case, by deploying ultra-reliable, high-performance, low-latency networks, we'll be able to deliver the best tools and connectivity to support the development of mining 4.0, which is focused on digitizing its operations, and what better than doing this with a partner like Nokia, that has world-class expertise and knowledge."

The implementation is built on Nokia's leadership in private wireless technology and its growing range of mining projects in Latin America and around the world.

Nokia currently has over 260 enterprise customers, with more than 40 mines being powered by Nokia's private LTE/4.9G and 5G networks.

Furthermore, Claro empresas has a range of flexible and adaptable digital solutions developed for the needs of connectivity, mobility, security, IoT, and data centers, which have positioned it as one of the most relevant players in telecommunications.

As more and more of the mining industry transforms into the age of automation, this collaboration sets up future development in beautiful Latin America for ease of transition for the remainder of all its industries.