Nokia and Telefónica Germany showcase connected “factory in a box” at Hanover Fair

Nokia and Telefónica Germany are taking Nokia’s “factory in a box” (FiaB) concept – a modular, portable production line in standard cargo containers – one step closer to real-world deployment. For the first time, during the Hanover Fair, the FiaB will be connected with Nokia’s manufacturing IT network through Telefónica’s live LTE/4G network. The FiaB concept includes cloud-based solutions, robotics and new electronic manufacturing IoT solutions, all of which will provide greater agility and flexibility to manufacturers. Nokia unveiled the concept – standard cargo container with a single electronics manufacturing line that can be moved to locations based on demand – in February 2018 with a group of 11 electronics industry players. The solution demonstrates how manufacturers can stay on top of the demands of Industry 4.0 through agile production that can be packed, transported and brought back into service in a matter of hours.

Connecting the containers via Telefónica’s 4G/LTE network to the Nokia manufacturing IT network turns the FiaB into a fully operational, on-demand extension to provide extra manufacturing capacity where needed. Beyond that, Telefónica Germany’s LTE spectrum can be leveraged to create a local private LTE network in and around the containers to connect sensors, machines and site security cameras, enabling secure access, push-to-talk, push-to-video and other applications. This work follows the agreement between Telefónica Germany and Nokia in January 2018 to create a joint Innovation Cluster to develop network solutions and technologies on the path to 5G.

“The consistent further development of the LTE standard has made many applications and use cases possible already today that we would not have expected before 5G. This cooperation between Nokia and Telefónica Germany, which addresses a concrete Industry 4.0 use case, shows the general opportunities that arise from the fast 4G development. In the same way it’s a solid base we can build on when 5G becomes a commercial topic in the near future.“ Grant Marshall, head of supply network and engineering in Nokia Operations, said: “This factory in a box project demonstrates how Nokia and mobile operators can already provide comprehensive solutions using 4G/LTE wireless technology that enable industrial companies to digitize processes, embrace IoT and leapfrog to the forth industrial revolution. Partnering with Telefónica has been instrumental in providing the connectivity for FiaB: the internal private networking which will be a stepping stone to 5G use cases, and the external LTE connectivity for backhauling data to the cloud.”