MegaFon launches Private LTE network at Elginskoye oilfield

2022: Creating a Private Wireless Network

MegaFon and Elgaugol have deployed a private wireless network at the largest coking coal field in Russia - Elginsky. The transition to terrestrial telecom equipment allowed the company to abandon satellite communication channels and introduce virtual and augmented reality technologies at the enterprise. This was announced by MegaFon on February 2, 2022.

On an area of ​ ​ more than 10 thousand hectares, LTE base stations were built, operating in four ranges at once: 800, 900, 1800 and 2600 MHz, which guarantees high data transfer rates, coverage latitude between remote facilities of production sites, as well as signal penetration into premises where the construction of ground communication lines is hindered by distance and rocky terrain.

Private LTE will provide an environment for transport management using dispatching systems, in particular, telemetry transmission from quarry equipment to monitor the performance of machines and equipment. IoT sensors and video cameras installed on excavators and dump trucks monitor both standard parameters: pressure in tires that wear out quickly, the amount of fuel in tanks, the level of loading of vehicles during downtime, and additional ones - driver fatigue, dangerous approach of vehicles during loading and others.

For an enterprise that works in the difficult climatic conditions of the Far North, reducing the number of processes with direct participation of people is a primary task. Our own sustainable network automates such processes as much as possible, which will increase the level of industrial protection, efficiency and labor safety, "said Alexander Isaev, general director of ElgaUgol LLC. - Also, the private network will provide stable and high-quality communication of specialists who work at the field - as of February 2022, more than two thousand people remain in contact with family and relatives.

Based on Private LTE, the company has created a number of projects using augmented and virtual reality technologies that help train staff to work with technological lines, conduct safety training for admission to hazardous production facilities. Another project is its own development and implementation of a system for positioning and monitoring personnel health.

MegaFon's private LTE network allows large industrial players to solve two problems at once: create a high-quality data channel and organize a safe technological ecosystem. The successful launch of Private LTE at the largest coal field in Yakutia will help our partner digitalize complex production processes related to the geo-positioning of production equipment and personnel, monitoring and control of energy supply, and will also allow the introduction of a video surveillance system where it was previously impossible to implement this, "said Natalya Taldykina, Director of Corporate Business Development at MegaFon.