Next-generation networks: the future for construction companies

New generation networks provide an efficient and secure connection, which is essential. This not only provides greater fluidity in team exchanges (videoconferences, sharing of sometimes very heavy data, etc.), but also contributes to the smooth running of demanding schedules and project costs.

Working on temporary, mobile sites or 50 meters underground involves a certain number of constraints, in particular structural and technical obstacles. The installation of traditional cable networks which can take up to 3 months is not a valid option for this type of situation.

As part of the project for the extension of lines 14 and 15 of the Grand Paris Express, Bouygues Telecom and Bouygues Construction worked hand in hand to ensure that the work to be carried out 50 meters underground benefits from immediate and efficient 5G connectivity, an effective alternative to fiber.

By opting for wireless networks, Bouygues Telecom offered Bouygues Construction flexibility and fluidity with the same advantages as a wired infrastructure, such as access to cloud-based applications via phones, tablets and laptops, for secure data transmission and centralized management of connections, without teams operating on the underground parts of the site having to go to the surface to communicate with the camp sites.

Ensuring construction site safety through constant monitoring

On a construction site, surveillance cameras, often distributed in strategic locations on the site, play an essential role in maintaining its security. Typically operating 24/24 and providing a continuous video feed, on-site cameras generate large volumes of data, all of which must be stored, accessed and transmitted. Therefore, these cameras require network solutions that can handle both high bandwidth and low latency - a challenge that can be addressed by private 7G connectivity solutions.

Real-world design visualization: a key to building efficiently and faster

The ability to visualize each of the design stages is one of the innovations that has transformed the sector, allowing companies to accelerate the construction phase of new projects. For example, they can use augmented reality (AR) to visualize new projects in real time in specific physical environments. While this approach has many advantages, one of the most significant is the possibility of identifying possible problems in advance before the physical start of the project. A step that allows savings in terms of planning and budget, because reviewing a physical structure already erected is an expensive and time-consuming process.

IoT and end-to-end site process optimization

IoT devices, including smart sensors, offer a wide range of possibilities for businesses, one of the most interesting of which is insight into the performance of machinery and materials. These devices can inform on-site teams of problems or failures with their machines. In the same way, smart sensors can read and identify the aggregates contained in concrete, for example, and transmit the data to a centralized system via a 5G router, to ensure the correct dosage. This improves operational efficiency and enhances security.

Construction companies now have a range of technologies to enable completely renewed and sustainable construction cycles, thanks to low-latency 5G cellular networks, ultra-fast speeds and rapid deployment.

Opinion by Abdelhak Hammouch, CSP Sales Director Cradlepoint France (LinkedIn).