PRESS RELEASE: ZTE Corporation teamed up with the Ordos Branch of China Unicom Inner Mongolia and Huineng Holding Group Co., Ltd. to complete the construction of the first group-level MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) in Inner Mongolia.
This network includes independent 5G private networks deployed across regions and branches, providing 5G coverage both on the surface and underground for production. It enables the application of 5G+AI to support various intelligent use cases in sales and security for Huineng, advancing 5G adoption in the coal, chemical, and power sectors.
ZTE’s 5G private network solution has been pivotal in empowering the intelligent transformation of industries. It supports the development of 5G-powered smart mines, smart transportation and sales, and smart safety management systems.
The core network for Huineng Group’s headquarters and the User Plane Function (UPF) for its production branch were constructed as part of the project. 5G base stations are connected through the local private 5G network, allowing seamless communication with hybrid networks.
Coordination between the gNodeB and UPF ensures that user-plane services remain active. Currently, ToB (Terminal of Base) service data from open-pit mines and mine shafts is transmitted through the private network. Operators in mine shafts can access both public and private networks using a “one-card pass”，while operators in open-pit mines use SIM cards for private network voice communication.
The group has implemented unified numbering and network management, enabling 5G VoNR (Voice over New Radio) connectivity to the mines. This also facilitates interoperable voice and video communications and unified scheduling through network convergence.
The integration of 5G private networks into the mining sector is driving the development of smarter mines and enhancing the industry’s operational efficiency. With 5G, Huineng Group has reduced manpower costs by 80%, improved vehicle efficiency by 95%, and increased single-mine sales by 230%. These improvements have led to a fundamental boost in quality and efficiency.
From Mini5GC to iCube, ZTE is committed to delivering optimal networks tailored to the mining industry, making 5G more accessible, secure, and reliable.
Moving forward, ZTE will continue to support private network deployment for mines, advancing the 5G mining industrial control network for coal miners and tunneling machines. The company is also exploring the application of “5G+mining” and “5G+tunneling” in various scenarios to further enhance the digital transformation of the coal industry.
ZTE aims to help the mining sector improve quality, reduce costs, and increase efficiency, driving the digital and intelligent transformation of the industry.