How Rogers is Transforming Mining Industry through Integrating WPNs

As 5G technology advances, Wireless Private Networks (WPNs) are becoming essential for modern industrial operations. At the Mining Transformed event May 27-29, the world’s only tech exhibition in an underground operating mine, Rogers and its partners showcased critical technology architecture designed to integrate private cellular networks with operational technology networks.

Operation technology, or OT, refers to the operation of physical processes and machinery. As more organizations use OT networks, this architecture improves security, reliability and resilience, enhancing overall productivity.

Rogers demonstrated this new architecture with a live application: a small semi-autonomous vehicle that seamlessly transitioned from a private cellular network underground to above ground and then onto the Rogers public network. This was the first time such a transition had been achieved with uninterrupted, secure connectivity in Canada.

This milestone was accomplished in collaboration with partners Ericsson, Fortinet, SafeSight, and Cradlepoint.

The demonstration highlighted the crucial role of advanced connectivity in modern mining operations. By integrating OT networks with private cellular networks, industries like mining can significantly enhance their efficiency, safety, and security.

Key Benefits of the Rogers WPN Integration:

Enhanced Security: The isolated environment of a private network reduces the risk of unauthorized access to critical systems, which is vital for industrial control systems and sensitive data within the OT network. During the demo, Rogers and Fortinet simulated a cyber-attack to demonstrate how the integrated system could detect and mitigate threats, ensuring the integrity of operations.

Improved Reliability and Performance: Rogers private networks offer dedicated bandwidth, ensuring reliable data transmission, which is essential for real-time operations and automation processes. The demo showed the autonomous vehicle moving seamlessly between network environments without losing connectivity.

Greater Coverage and Capacity: Deploying private networks in remote or hard-to-reach locations helps overcome connectivity challenges. WPNs can support a higher density of connected devices compared to traditional Wi-Fi networks, facilitating better monitoring and control of equipment for more efficient and safe operations.

Seamless Data Integration: Uninterrupted data exchange between devices and control systems enables real-time monitoring and remote control of equipment, enhancing decision-making based on real-time data insights. The event showcased a Safesight application that used thermal and HD video imaging to provide detailed, real-time 3D models of mining areas, improving operational oversight and planning.

Flexibility and Scalability: Rogers private networks are scalable, allowing companies to expand their network infrastructure as needed. This flexibility supports the quick deployment of new applications, enhancing enterprise agility.

Broader Implications for Other Industries

Industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare can also benefit from the enhanced security, reliability, and performance offered by private cellular networks. These technologies are paving the way for a new era of secure, efficient, and innovative operations across multiple sectors.