According to Vodafone, the pilot phase of the network covers outdoor space, as well as “selected areas of a production unit.” It is intended to enable transition away from two-way radio, as well as to facilitate the use of virtual reality glasses by technicians.
CEO of Vodafone Czechia, Violeta Luca, said: “By being entirely independent from the public network, our private 5G solution ensures that all user data and infrastructure are securely managed within the power plant's own systems. This is vital for maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability.
“This technology is a key enabler in advancing the secure digitalisation of such critical infrastructure.”
The network was commissioned by power generation conglomerate ČEZ Group. Its nuclear division director, Bohdan Zronek, said: “A selected part of the nuclear power plant's communication network, as an element of critical infrastructure, must be completely separated from the external network. That is why we always maintain an alternative in the event of an outage, and the management system of course remains completely separate from the outside world.
"We are the first nuclear power plant in Europe to actually test a private 5G network, while other European operators work mostly with 4G.”
Other recent industrial 5G deployments by Vodafone include for Skoda Auto and German chemicals company BASF.
