LTE micro networks open up new opportunities and offer connectivity anywhere – even in a mine

An LTE micro network means bringing mobile phone technology to individual sites, such as an industrial facility or a mine, in the form of compact base stations. The end result is a local private network that is not part of the public mobile phone network.

In practice, the technology offers connectivity anywhere and particularly in places where it would be impossible to achieve otherwise. A good example of such places are mines, where data transfer has traditionally been a problem.

“One such application could be, for example, the vibration measurement of a rotating paper machine roll, which must be carried out using a wireless method,” says Etteplan’s Technology Director Jaakko Ala-Paavola.

According to Ala-Paavola, LTE micro networks are a major step forward, as it has previously not been possible to install a base station at an individual plant – at least not at a reasonable cost.

Pioneering a brand new technology

LTE micro networks are an entirely concept, and the technology has only recently entered into the market. This does not mean, however, that Etteplan cannot be considered an expert in the technology.

“We have collaborated closely with Nokia, the leading developer of the technology,” says Ala-Paavola. “In addition, we have had an LTE micro network base station in R&D use in Finland for about a year.”

According to Ala-Paavola, Nokia has been active and located its product development and pilot in Finland, a pioneer in the field. This spring, Nokia, which has so far been focussing on pilot projects, has taken the LTE micro networks to production use.