Siemens and O₂ Telefónica Germany have unveiled the first fully integrated connectivity solution leveraging 5G network slicing, specifically tailored for Siemens’ automation applications. This product is aimed at water utilities and wastewater treatment facilities across Germany. A pilot project is currently being tested by a customer in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In a strategic partnership, Siemens and O₂ Telefónica are enhancing the networking capabilities of the water sector with a new 5G mobile network connectivity solution. Siemens will market this innovation to numerous water and wastewater utilities throughout Germany. Unlike the manufacturing sector, which often utilizes localized private 5G campus networks, the water industry’s facilities are dispersed and require connectivity over extensive distances.
The “5G Slice for the Water Industry” connectivity solution enables water utilities to oversee and manage their entire automation system through a virtual 5G network, utilizing network slicing technology. These networks are specifically optimized to ensure a reliable Quality of Service (QoS) for automation applications.
This reliability is vital for processes such as pressure control, flow measurement, and automated emergency responses at the widely distributed sites of water utilities. 5G network slicing allows O₂ Telefónica Germany to partition its physical 5G mobile network into tailored virtual networks, or slices, that are region-specific and fine-tuned for distinct use cases regarding speed, latency, and security.
The two companies collaborated to create and test a solution featuring Siemens’ 5G routers and O₂ Telefónica’s 5G slices, designed to meet the stringent communication demands of automation protocols. By completely separating data traffic from the public Internet, this solution provides enhanced cybersecurity and data protection, crucial for water companies governed by critical infrastructure regulations.
“Partnering with O₂ Telefónica Germany enables us to deliver a secure and dependable communication solution for our customers in the water sector,” stated Axel Lorenz, CEO of Process Automation at Siemens. “The integration of Siemens hardware with 5G network slicing ensures the quality, reliability, and security needed for sophisticated automation applications,” added Alfons Lösing, Chief Partner and Wholesale Officer at O₂ Telefónica.
The solution is currently undergoing testing by a water utility in North Rhine-Westphalia, addressing one of the water industry’s most significant challenges: the secure and efficient central management of distributed infrastructure, which includes pumping stations, reservoirs, water towers, and treatment plants.
Previously, many water utilities faced considerable challenges in monitoring, controlling, and connecting their systems, often resulting in time-consuming and costly processes that required complex, customized solutions. With the innovative connectivity solution from Siemens and O₂ Telefónica, water utilities can seamlessly and securely connect their entire infrastructure via 5G network slicing technology, allowing for quicker integration of additional sites into their networks.
Source: Siemens
