The 5G auction has already ended and as frequencies are in the process of transition to telecommunications operators. But from an early age that account of the potential of 5G in different contexts has been made. NOS has already carried out tests with the introduction of 5G at a school in Matosinhos, at Estádio da Luz, also at Hospital da Luz, as well as on the beach at Costa da Caparica. This time, he revealed that Sumol + Compal is the first national factory with 5G coverage.

The factory is running as a pioneer in augmented reality solutions in an industrial context, which is now reinforced with NOS’ 5G network. The goal is to increase the productivity and efficiency of plant operations, accelerating your path to Industry 4.0. The operator said that since March that the Sumol + Compal plant in Almeirim had already been equipped with its 5G solution. Next-generation coverage has become the company’s most efficient operation, “on a scale that has not been possible until now”, refers to one operator.

In the manufacturing context, NOS says that 5G transforms industrial processes, making logistics chains more optimized, efficient and secure, translating into greater efficiency and productivity. In the case of the factory in Almeirim, which has an area of ​​70 thousand square meters, with an annual processing capacity of 25 thousand tons of fruit, two systems are being introduced, constituted as pioneers, based on 5G.

The first is to connect all production lines and get real-time process information. Second, the use of augmented reality in preventive maintenance operations on the machines used in the Tetra Pak filling and packaging lines.

The factory’s maintenance team now has access to NOS’ Augmented Worker and Remote Support solutions, which facilitate the diagnosis of problems that arise, in order to reduce machine downtime. Likewise, the applications allow to reduce the time and resources related to the physical travel of the respective technical support providers.

The applications are used with smart glasses and a 5G smartphone to support interventions. The Augmented Worker provides manual procedural workers as well as interactive guides in augmented reality. Remote Support gives remote access to video experts, with annotations made in real-time augmented reality.

The company hopes to assimilate error and process execution time, immediately transfer the information to the maintenance software and eliminate paper support. Reducing costs with travel for technicians and facilitating diagnosis are highlighted as advantages of the new solutions.

NOS also mentioned that this partnership with Sumol + Compal will be a long-term one for the company’s digital transformation. In addition to augmented reality solutions, there is also an IoT sensing project and a system for constant monitoring of performance indicators on production lines.

The administrator of Sumol + Compal, Jaime Alves Cardoso, says it is an important step for the company, being an important player in the Portuguese industry. Its mission is to surprise the customer, while contributing to a healthier diet. The company has taken a path towards its sustainability, in the reduction of polluting packaging and reforestation. Its objective is also to become a company at the forefront of technology “and that is why we are here today to introduce new technologies into the company, in what is said to be Industry 4.0”.

Sumol + Compal has introduced an automatic warehouse on its premises, claiming that this is capable of reducing its carbon footprint by a thousand tons per year. The company promises to continue to bet on the national fruit, as well as on its sustainability and more technology. “We are sowing today to harvest better in the future”. The company aims to gain defense by remaining a differentiating player in the market and adding value to its customers.

Through 5G, the company hopes that connectivity will be massified in the face of the current one and gain developments, not only in the industrial field, but in the future, in the interconnection of the entire logistics and supply chain, with suppliers and customers, in a dynamic and balanced way, he says. the company. “We have a great tradition of introducing innovation and technology in our sector”, referring to his vanguard experience in conservation and pasteurization, which he still uses today.

Currently, with the 5G solution in place, Sumol + Compal expects efficiency growth of 10%, although global indicators in technology adoption point to gains of 20-30%. For now, tests will begin at this plant in Almeirim, followed by that in Pombal, and finally with its two water plants, in a process that should be completed in two and a half years.

Manuel Ramalho Eanes, executive director of NOS, reinforces the milestone of having the first 5G factory in Portugal. He says, however, that the test that exists today, which began in March, is not a promise of the technology, but what is already current. It will soon be possible to monitor the entire line of logistics, promises the company’s administrator. He adds that this is just one example of what 5G allows unlocking in the industry.

Finally, it highlights NOS’ position as the one that invested the most in the 5G auction, in which it acquired the most spectrum, thus raising it more prepared for the challenges in the future in the digital transformation of companies in the coming years. The presentation ended with the usual delivery of the board to mark the first factory with 5G in Portugal.

To SAPO TEK, Manuel Ramalho Eanes referred that the 5G process is in the administrative process, estimating that it is complete before the end of the year, given that the NOS is starting to commercialize the technology to the public. Speaking to the press, the director of NOS said that he wants to lead 5G in Portugal, having achieved his first objective of ensuring the widest available frequency spectrum. Now the company wants to deliver the best service to companies and families, starting with being present in all the capitals of the district. And finally, ensure that people get the best out of 5G technology.

In conclusion, despite the delay in the 5G auction process, NOS guaranteed that the goals defined for 2025 will be achieved, since the company has been working on its coverage even before the end of the auction.