Private 5G Network Deployment by T-Mobile and Ericsson at Tawesco Plant

T-Mobile and Ericsson have successfully launched a private 5G network for Czech manufacturing firm Tawesco, aimed at supporting Industry 4.0 applications in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band. The deployment covers Tawesco’s main plant and is set to be expanded to sister companies within the Promet Group.

Key points to note:

• Main Plant: Tawesco’s main plant now hosts a functional private 5G network from T-Mobile and Ericsson.
• Expansion Plans: The Promet Group intends to replicate the network deployment across its other group companies.
• New Applications: Numerous Industry 4.0 devices are currently operational within the network with more to come, aligning with the ‘smart factory’ vision.

The private 5G SA network deployed by T-Mobile and Ericsson at Tawesco’s main plant in Kopřivnice covers an area of about 5,000 square meters, acting as a live ‘proof-of-concept’. Plans are underway to extend the project’s reach throughout the entire plant and to sister companies within the organization.

Tawesco has already connected a variety of devices to the network, including mobile devices, production machinery, and material handling equipment. This encompasses a wide range of machinery such as conveyors, forklifts, cranes, hoists, and sorting systems. Additionally, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are slated to be integrated into the network soon.

The deployment operates in the 3400-3800 MHz band under spectrum permissions from T-Mobile. In 2020, the Czech government mandated local operators to make the 3.4-3.8 GHz spectrum available for enterprises to establish private 5G networks, subject to approval from the Czech telecoms office.

The Czech Technical University in Prague and significant entities like Škoda Auto and the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant have also adopted private 5G networks. Notably, there are more standalone 5G networks in private mode than public infrastructure in the country.

Tawesco runs three manufacturing sites in different regions and specializes in producing engineering components predominantly for the automotive industry. Operating under the Promet Group, a conglomerate with broad industrial operations, Tawesco’s project in Kopřivnice is expected to expand across the entire group, marking a significant technological leap.

Embracing the initiative, Jaroslav Smrž, the IT director at Promet Group, mentioned a gradual expansion of connected devices and development of an AI-based application infrastructure. The objective is to establish a dynamic digital ecosystem enabling real-time control of machines for enhanced operational efficiency.

Radim Matera, overseeing innovation at the Promet Group, highlighted the transformative impact of the 5G network on industrial production. Describing it as the ‘nervous system’ that coordinates control based on stimuli, Matera emphasized the importance of integrating technology and human efforts for sustainable development in the Czech industry.

Expressing satisfaction with the project, Luboš Lukasík, director of T-Mobile’s corporate customer division, underlined the network’s fast response times and robust security measures, indicating the pivotal role of modern technology in revolutionizing Czech industry.