Nokia, Claro deploy 4.9G wireless network at Colombian maritime terminal

“Innovation is at the heart of Puerto Bahía. Our company aims to implement technological tools that help us position ourselves as a Smart Port 4.0,” says Rodrigo Torras, the president of Puerto Bahía.

The new 4.9G wireless network from Claro Colombia will provide fast, low-latency connectivity for port workers, sensors, equipment, vehicles and cargo. It offers secure, predictable coverage in piers and yards. A 4.9G network uses technologies such as LTE Advanced Pro and Massive MIMO to offer faster data speeds and lower latency than 4G. These technologies enable 4.9G to reach peak download speeds of up to 1 Gbps, which is much faster than what 4G can offer. As the name suggests, it is also not the same as 5G, which has different features and operates in higher frequency bands.

Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud provides edge computing capabilities, including the Nokia MX Industrial Edge.

Nokia DAC will enable Puerto Bahía’s digital transformation by automating terminal operations and tracking vehicles. Nokia DAC will provide connectivity between systems and equipment to optimize operations.

“Industrial-grade Nokia Private Wireless networks are the cornerstone of ports’ digital transformation journey,” says Osvaldo Di Campli, the president of Nokia Latin America. “With this project, Sociedad Portuaria Puerto Bahía confirms its leadership in the digitalization of port operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Nokia announced late last year that they deployed an industrial-grade LTE private network in Port San Antonio Terminal Internacional (STI) in Chile using Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) platform. The network’s goal was to enhance safety and productivity over a 31-hectare area with high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity using 4.9G LTE technology.

Analysis

According to Olly Murphy, an analyst at STL Partners, introducing a private 4.9G wireless network and edge computing solution at Sociedad Portuaria Puerto Bahía in Cartagena will enhance the efficiency of port operations and lay the groundwork for further innovation.

“A private network provides ideal connectivity for a port, where high degrees of coverage and reliability and low levels of interference are key,” explains Murphy.

The private network will provide performance benefits that enable the port to implement use cases like vehicle tracking. This would have been difficult using legacy connectivity due to disruptions from vehicles, ships and equipment traveling in and out of the port, Murphy points out.

Article Topics

4.9G  |  5G  |  cellular  |  Claro  |  Industry 4.0  |  LTE  |  maritime  |  Nokia  |  private wireless