In addition to affecting the general feeling of security, the coronavirus pandemic has also concretely increased cyber security threats of companies. Information security professionals have consistently reported an increase in cyber attacks since the shift to remote work. Attacks on various online services take place every day in different parts of the world: more than 10,000 cases are reported every year in Finland alone.

At the same time, the digitalisation of companies’ operations has continued in industry and other sectors. For years, it has been a viable and sustainable solution to making processes more efficient and reducing their costs. However, the need to pay attention to cost control has not gone away, especially during the recent general upward spiral of prices.

“We have good news for company decision-makers: with the help of a wireless private network, companies can contribute to all these challenges. Private networks provide a versatile platform for digitalisation, and along with it, companies can effectively manage the security risks related to data transmission while improving operational cost-effectiveness”, says Henri Viljasjärvi, Director, Business Development at Digita.

Private networks accelerate the digitalisation of industry

A private network is a wireless network solution for internal use by companies that is implemented with mobile network technology familiar from public cellular networks. The business application possibilities of wireless private networks are almost limitless. Mines, ports, logistics terminals, hospitals, factories and other industrial facilities where the coverage and security of a public mobile network or Wi-Fi network are not fully guaranteed are favourable targets for the introduction of a private network.

Henri Viljasjärvi gives practical examples:

“Especially in traditional industry, wireless private network technology enables digitalisation to be accelerated and automation to be utilised in a wide range of operations. One concrete example is building assembly lines on wireless communications, making them easily adaptable as production changes. Another example that I can mention is the transportation of material with an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) trolley from storage to the line to increase the degree of automation and optimise manual work.”

Using a private network offers industrial companies many tangible benefits compared to using a public mobile network or Wi-Fi network: coverage, lag-free operation, reliability, scalability, etc. But above all, private networks allow industrial companies to meet the two key business challenges mentioned above with regard to data transmission: improving security and cost-effectiveness.

Safety for networks, but also for the physical work environment

Private networks can be used to build a secure and reliably operating data transmission system, in which all data can be kept in the company’s internal network inside a specified industrial space or other unit.

“Information security is easy to manage in private networks, as the company itself decides where data is transferred and who has access to it. If necessary, the private network is implemented as a completely separate, closed network”, Viljasjärvi assures.

In addition to information security, occupational safety is also a critical issue, especially in large industrial facilities – for example, at sawmills and other sites of the mechanical forest industry, or in mines. With the help of a private network, mobile terminal devices work reliably in case of accident or danger, enabling users to be reached or monitored. Safety can also be increased by camera surveillance operated through the private network.

Private networks improve the cost-effectiveness of industrial companies

In addition to safety features, wireless private networks allow industrial companies to improve their cost-effectiveness and capital efficiency.

According to a study published by ABI Research in May 2020, industrial operators can achieve up to 8.5% savings in their operational costs through mobile robotics, condition monitoring, location tracking for materials and optimisation of material flows.

In addition to operational cost-effectiveness, company management and shareholders are also interested in capital efficiency, especially in the context of rising interest rates: the optimised use of a private network can reduce the capital, and the associated financing costs, tied up in inventories and other fixed assets. Operating the private network as an external service does not require investments that tie up capital either.

Digita has been granted Advanced Partner level certification for mobile private networks by Nokia.

Private network as a comprehensive service from a reliable partner

Digita is the first Finnish operator to be granted Advanced Partner level certification for mobile private networks by Nokia as proof of the company’s deep understanding of private network technologies and their applications.
“This recognition from the world’s leading expert in private network technology is largely based on the fact that we have exceptionally long-standing experience in building mobile networks in demanding environments”, Viljasjärvi explains.

Digita’s private network service, designed to utilise 5G technology, includes everything the customer needs in one package: needs assessment, design, installation, nationwide maintenance, 24/7 on-call service every day of the year and, if necessary, terminal devices tailored to different environments. All this is offered to the customer as a comprehensive service for a monthly fee.

Got any questions? Contact us and we’ll discuss what possibilities Private Network could offer for your company’s needs!