Calpak Picks COSMOTE, Ericsson to Deploy Private Campus Network in Greece

Greece’s first private cellular campus network for smart manufacturing has been deployed at Calpak’s fully automated, solar water heater production facility in the municipality of Loutraki.

The new private cellular campus network, which was designed and deployed by COSMOTE, in partnership with Ericsson, is accelerating Industry 4.0 uses in Greece like smart manufacturing.

The innovative connectivity solution provides excellent security and flexibility, resolving key challenges of smart manufacturing. Using licensed spectrum, the 4G/LTE technologies are providing highly reliable services that perform well even under heavy data loads.

The new campus network is designed to meet Calpak’s immediate and future needs by providing advanced wireless connectivity for the factory’s two fully automated production lines. As part of the project, Gizelis Robotics is providing connected robotic arms while PTC’s Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Augmented Reality (AR) platforms have also been integrated into the campus network.

Using machine learning algorithms and data analytics procedures, critical data from the robotic arms are collected in near real-time and utilized for providing a series of innovative applications. These include production monitoring from anywhere, the introduction of predictive maintenance processes, and remote expert guidance in the event of production line malfunctions.

Calpak will benefit from this fully connected, automated production ecosystem by increasing productivity, lowering cost and continually optimizing quality, all while ensuring fewer disruptions in its operations.

George Pappas, Chairman and Managing Director, Ericsson Hellas, says: “We are very pleased with this key partnership, with COSMOTE, and with pioneering Greek companies like Gizelis Robotics and Calpak, as well as industrial platform leader, PTC. At long last, we are witnessing the realization of the great potential of mobile broadband and in particular the use of 4G/5G technology for improving the productivity and competitiveness of the Greek manufacturing sector. This is a historic moment for Ericsson in Greece, as we are adding yet another key ‘first’ to our long and successful presence in the country.”

Grigoris Christopoulos, OTE Group Chief Commercial Officer, Business Segment, says: “At COSMOTE we have the know-how and experience to provide businesses with innovative solutions that accelerate their digital transformation, enhance their competitiveness, and, as a result, help the Greek economy to grow. Through the implementation of complex tech projects, such as the first mobile campus network in Greece, we prove that we lead the technological developments. With technology as our ally, along with 5G's unlimited possibilities, we will create a better world for all.”