The Vodafone hybrid 5G private network infrastructure will cover 23 of Snam’s facilities
Vodafone Italia is providing Italian energy infrastructure company Snam with a hybrid 5G private network infrastructure that will cover 23 of the company’s facilities and connect a large number of devices simultaneously.
“The 5G network infrastructure that we are announcing together with Snam highlights all the advantages of this technology,” commented Alessandro Magnino, head of global enterprise of Vodafone Business Italia, specifically calling out ultra-broadband, low latency, security and the ability to collect an “extraordinary amount” of data. “This project allows us to make our concrete contribution to accelerating the energy transition in Italy,” he added.
According to Vodafone, the hybrid infrastructure will improve 4G and 5G coverage within the facilities, but also for the local population via the surrounding public network. The network is also configured so that a Vodafone MPN SIM is enabled for the use of private and public data services in one of the 23 sites covered by the 5G network infrastructure will work even when a mobile network is covered only by public Vodafone, and therefore, in the absence of private MPN coverage. “This functionality will allow Snam to take advantage of a service extended to the entire Vodafone coverage on the national territory with the maximum degree of flexibility for its users and applications,” stated Vodafone.
The hybrid private network, added Vodafone, will support devices like field sensors to monitor various factors such as pressure, vibration and other meters capable of collecting large quantities of data locally. This data can then be sent to a control panel. Other anticipated applications include remote diagnostics and monitoring of systems, augmented reality and virtual reality solutions for technician training, and several for security.
Giorgio Veronesi, executive director of digital technology and innovation at Snam, said the Vodafone’s solution “combines the benefits of public 5G and private 5G,” which guarantees “high levels of performance, availability and reliability” to enable advanced solutions like drones, IoT, augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
