21.02.2023
Digitization boost for the paper industry:O2 Telefónica builds 5G campus network for Prinzhorn Group
The Prinzhorn Group, one of the leading paper and packaging manufacturers in Europe, and the telecommunications provider O2 Telefónica in cooperation with the network operator Drei Österreich have set up a modern 5G campus network at the Pitten site in Austria. The network supplies one of Europe's large paper mills with high-speed mobile communications and now covers the entire factory site over an area of more than 100,000 square meters. The aim is to use 5G to speed up processes for information, logistics and production.
Michael Krumay
“With 5G, the Prinzhorn Group is strengthening its pioneering role in the paper industry and taking an important step towards the paper production of the future. The 5G campus network at our Pitten site is an important efficiency lever for us to address the challenges in energy, raw material and logistics costs while optimizing our production,” says Michael Krumay, Head of Technics at Prinzhorn Group's Pitten mill. “Because of O2 Telefónica's expertise and commitment to 5G campus networks for the industry, we decided to have the telecommunications group implement the network at our site.”
“The industry is in the midst of a digital transformation. 5G in particular is providing companies with an enormous digitalization boost,” says Karsten Pradel, Director B2B at O2 Telefónica. “Together with the Prinzhorn Group, we have set up a powerful yet secure 5G campus network that will take the Pitten production site to a new digital level. Our cooperation shows how we support industrial and business customers with individualized 5G networking solutions to optimize production and processes.”
5G campus network enables real-time information and digital twin
The first applications at the Pitten site include 5G networking of scanners, radios, smartphones and tablets. These were previously networked via WLAN. However, WLAN reached its limits on the spacious plant site and its multi-story, over 100-meter-long paper machine with steel structures and concrete walls. This is where 5G can bring its technological advantages to bear: Due to its propagation characteristics, it covers the plant site better. In addition, the 5G network is very stable and offers high data rates and short response times. The operation of a closed campus network on its own frequencies also ensures a high level of security. In cooperation with O2 Telefónica, the Austrian telecommunications provider Drei Österreich operates the necessary frequencies and ensures interference-free operation.
Stefan Wimmer
The Prinzhorn Group itself was supported in the project by its partner, Bayerisches Funknetz GmbH (BayFu), from the initial concept to the tender and implementation. “Since the summer of 2020, we have been supporting the Prinzhorn Group in technology selection and procurement, and subsequently in implementation and integration. We were able to provide the full range of our service portfolio in this regard. We are looking forward to the upcoming tasks and are sure that this project will contribute to the further acceptance of 5G Campus in Europe,” says Stefan Wimmer, Managing Director of Bayerisches Funknetz GmbH (BAYFU).
5G-networked terminals, monitoring screens, dashboards and mobile apps in production, maintenance and intralogistics provide employees everywhere on the plant site with digital access to information in real time. Reliable accessibility down to the depths of the machinery facilitates work processes and shortens travel times. The next step is to map the waste paper storage area, the forklifts and the raw material as digital twins. This would hardly be possible without the high data throughput of 5G.
More sustainable and faster production processes thanks to 5G
Christian Kohl
The demand for shipping packages for online retailing as well as packaging materials for food retailing and the manufacturing industry has increased sharply in recent years. This is causing the paper industry to grow and requires maximum sustainability and efficiency in order to economize on the valuable basic materials. For example, in addition to using only recovered paper, the company is already focusing on an increasingly self-sufficient energy supply. With the own 5G campus network, these processes can be further improved.
“With the joint construction of the 5G SA Campus network, one of the first of its kind in Austria, we were able to help make this innovative communications system available to the Prinzhorn Group in Pitten,” says a delighted Christian Kohl, Senior Head of Enterprise at Drei Österreich. “As a technology leader in 5G in Austria, we will use our know-how to implement further customized campus solutions.”
O2 Telefónica and Telefónica Tech, together with Drei Österreich, will be responsible for maintaining and further optimizing the 5G campus network at the Pitten site in the coming years. Prinzhorn Group also plans to build additional 5G campus networks at other locations - again in close partnership with O2 Telefónica and Bayfu.
With immediate effect with its own 5G campus network: Prinzhorn Paper Mill in Pitten
5G campus network antenna on the plant site
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About Prinzhorn Group
With its 10,000 employees in 16 countries, the Prinzhorn Group is a European market leader in corrugated packaging, paper and recycling industries. With an annual turnover of 2.3 billion Euro, the group ranks number three in Europe in its segment. The family owned Prinzhorn Group has its headquarters in Vienna / Austria and is structured in three divisions: Dunapack Packaging (corrugated packaging solutions), Hamburger Containerboard (production of high-quality corrugated case material products) and Hamburger Recycling (collection and trading of secondary raw material).
About Drei Österreich
Hutchison Drei Austria GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (Hong Kong) and a member of 3Group Europe as part of the “3Scandinavia & Austria” division. Drei generated revenues of EUR 866 million in the 2021 financial year. As the leading telecommunications provider in Austria, the company offers mobile telephony, Internet, fixed network, television and business solutions from a single source. In addition to the largest store network of all Austrian telecom operators and comprehensive customer service for private and business customers, Drei also has the most powerful LTE network in the country with a population coverage of 98 percent. Following Austria's first, true, connected 5G network in Linz in June 2019, Drei launched the commercial operation of Austria's first 5G standalone network in September 2022. With its new fixed tariffs, the full-service provider is offering mobile Internet with a bandwidth guarantee for the first time. In January 2023, the company received the Ookla Speedtest AwardTM for the country's fastest 5G network for the fourth time in a row. More at www.drei.at
About Bayfu
BAYFU as a professional consulting and service company supports companies, public authorities and mobile network operators in the development and implementation of digitalization strategies in the field of public and private mobile communications. We navigate our clients through changing digital business ecosystems in the telecommunications industry to identify new growth opportunities and savings potential. In addition, we are pioneers in the field of 5G Campus. With our services, we support you in ensuring that you, as a consumer, receive a custom-fit solution or, as a provider, can develop a competitive solution. Neutrality and independence coupled with know-how and decades of experience. We ensure that you get exactly what your organization needs. Exactly what you want - exactly what you need.