British multinational telecommunications company Vodafone has launched a 5G mobile private network (MPN) at the Temelín nuclear power station in the Czech Republic in what it says is the first deployment of its kind in Europe.
Vodafone said the new 5G connectivity will enable a transition away from “walkie-talkie” communications in the station and pave the way for augmented reality glasses to support the work of technicians.
As part of a pilot phase for the power generation conglomerate ČEZ, Vodafone’s 5G MPN covers the power station’s outdoor space and selected areas of a production unit.
Vodafone said the results of the pilot project, and subsequent evaluation conducted by ČEZ, will inform the deployments of 5G MPNs at further sites.
Violeta Luca, chief executive officer of Vodafone Czechia said the MPN is entirely independent from the public network and ensures that all user data and infrastructure are securely managed within the power station’s own systems, which 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,” Luca said.
Bohdan Zronek, director of ČEZ’s nuclear division 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.”
Temelín has two VVER-1000 V-320 nuclear power plants that began commercial operation in 2002 and 2003.