Spotlight: The latest private network projects in Latin America

Carriers, industries and enterprises continue to advance dedicated connectivity projects via private networks across Latin America, as part of investments in more robust infrastructure to support digital transformation and enhance operational efficiency.

In Chile, the Iquique Terminal Internacional (ITI) port operator announced it is working on a project for a private 4G network to support its operations.

The company did not reveal the mobile infrastructure vendor nor if it is working with a telecom operator or whether it will operate the 4G LTE network on its own.

The system is expected to be operational in March.

According to ITI, the private network is part of a digital transformation project that includes the implementation of a new terminal operating system (TOS), the software platform that is the core basis for port operations worldwide.

At ITI, mobile devices of staff involved in stacking control and container ship operations will be replaced by cutting-edge, lighter, and touch-sensitive equipment enabling, among other things, image capture, hence the need for a dedicated and more resilient mobile infrastructure.

Highways, mining and more

In Brazil, telecom operator TIM disclosed at the end of 2024 a contract with concessionaire Caminhos da Serra Gaúcha (CSG) for the deployment of 4G LTE along the highways operated by the company in Rio Grande do Sul state.

As part of the project, 10 towers have been installed in the municipalities of Ipê, Antônio Prado, Flores da Cunha, Campestre da Serra, Capela de Santana and Montenegro. Another 58 existing sites were used to deploy new antennas. 

According to TIM, the initiative currently encompasses more than 271km of highways in 18 municipalities.

TIM is the Brazilian carrier with the most contracts with infrastructure and logistics companies. Other projects in the field include private networks for concessionaries EcoRodovias, CCR, Way and EPR.

In total, the operator claims to cover 4,700km of highways in the country.

TIM also announced new milestones related to a contract signed in 2022 with US aluminum producer Alcoa. According to the telco, the project enabled bringing 4G connectivity to around 1,000 residents of remote communities in Pará state.

In addition to Alcoa, the operator has developed projects for miners Anglo American and Lundin Mining.

TIM forecasts it will be able to close over 1.2bn reais (US$196mn) in contracts for projects with corporates by mid-2025, mostly in the areas of IoT and connectivity.

Telefónica

In partnership with Nokia, Telefónica’s Brazilian subsidiary Vivo announced in December it is deploying a 4G private network project for beverage giant Ambev. 

The initiative initially encompasses 30 of Ambev’s units, such as warehouses, plants and distribution centers, with the possibility of expansion to other assets and operational areas.

According to the companies, the goal is to enhance Ambev's operational and logistical efficiency through “improved internal mobility” with more efficient information exchange and with automation of covered areas.

Santos Brasil

Also in Brazil, port terminal operator Santos Brasil is mulling deploying 5G private networks within two years, as CTO Ricardo Miranda told BNamericas. For now, the mobile infrastructure in place is enough to support the company’s operational demands.

“When you start to have a larger volume of data… 5G starts becoming more interesting. I think that in a period of one or two years, we should get to 5G. We've already been buying all the yard equipment prepared for 5G connection. It's ready,” he said in a December interview.