UQOMM
Private LTE: Industrial 4G/5G network for mining and tunnels
At UQOMM we design and integrate Private LTE networks to deliver broadband, low latency, and IoT to mining operations and tunnels. Our solutions integrate with the existing communication infrastructure to accompany the evolution of each operation.
UQOMM
What is Private LTE is and why is it the industrial network of today
A Private LTE network is a 4G cellular network — or 5G in its natural evolution — dedicated exclusively to an organization. It uses the same technology as commercial mobile operators (3GPP, SIM, base stations), but with a decisive difference: the spectrum, the cells, and the core network belong to the industrial project. Nothing is shared with the public. Nothing depends on the commercial coverage of the nearest operator.
Unlike industrial Wi‑Fi — which does not scale over kilometers nor survive the interference and obstacles of a mine — Private LTE operates in licensed bands, covers extensive areas with few cells, supports true high‑speed mobility, and manages thousands of simultaneous devices without degradation. A mining truck crossing a 5‑km pit does not lose signal. An operator with a tablet 800 meters underground has the same latency as the engineer on the surface.
At UQOMM we design, implement, and integrate Private LTE and 5G architectures for critical industrial operations. We work with the regulatory frameworks and technologies available in each market to develop solutions that coexist with existing infrastructure, protect prior investment, and support the technological evolution of every operation.
UQOMM
How a Private LTE network operates
A full Private LTE network consists of four principal components:
Technology
Band and standards compatibility
Private LTE can operate across multiple bands depending on the country, the spectrum available, and the use case. Private LTE can operate across multiple bands depending on the country, the spectrum available, and the use case.
| Band / Standard | Typical Frequency | Region / Use Case | Compatible with UQOMM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banda 28 (LTE 700 MHz) | 703–803 MHz | Industrial en Chile, Brasil, Europa | Compatible |
| Banda 48 (CBRS) | 3,55–3,70 GHz | Mining and ports in the United States | Compatible |
| Banda 3 (LTE 1800) | 1,71–1,88 GHz | Private use via operator (industrial MVNO) | Compatible |
| Banda 7 (LTE 2600) | 2,50–2,69 GHz | Alta capacidad en cielo abierto | Compatible |
| Banda n78 (5G SA) | 3,30–3,80 GHz | Industrial private 5G (URLLC) | Compatible |
| Banda n79 (5G) | 4,40–5,00 GHz | Industrial 5G Asia Pacific | Compatible |
UQOMM
Where does Private LTE apply?
Underground Mining
Tunnels
Railway Metro
Offshore
UQOMM
Technologies
Private LTE
in underground mining
In vehicular tunnels, Private LTE delivers dedicated cellular connectivity to maintain communication for personnel, vehicles, monitoring systems, and operational applications throughout the entire route. It integrates with existing communications infrastructure (such as DAS, Leaky Feeder, or radiocommunication systems), allowing capabilities to be expanded without replacing the technology already deployed.
- Continuous data coverage across the entire active front
- Enablement of underground autonomous and semi autonomous fleets
- Real time HD video surveillance and IoT sensorization
- Integration with SCADA and mining management platforms
Private LTE
in vehicular tunnels
In long vehicular tunnels and in ports with critical logistics infrastructure, Private LTE enables digital operational coordination: traffic, video surveillance, environmental sensing, and autonomous vehicle coordination. It integrates with the cellular DAS when extending public coverage is desirable, and with existing emergency radio systems.
- Dedicated cellular coverage independent of public operators
- Support for autonomous vehicles and logistics equipment
- Perimeter HD video surveillance of docks and access points
- Coexistence with inherited emergency radio systems
UQOMM
Why UQOMM for your Private LTE project
+30 years of active installations
Private LTE is not an isolated system: it interfaces with Leaky Feeder, TETRA, SCADA, and the corporate cloud. We have three decades of experience designing these integrations.
RF design for challenging environments
We model propagation in curved galleries, open pits, tunnels with traffic, and stations with interference.
Sovereign on premise network core
All critical operational data remains within the mine or port. No dependence on external connectivity, no latency risks to foreign networks.
Agnostic, multi vendor hardware
We work with Nokia, Ericsson, Airspan, Baicells, Druid, and Athonet according to project needs. We select the architecture that suits the project — not the one that suits us.
UQOMM
FAQ
1. What is a private LTE network and how does it differ from public LTE?
A private LTE network is a 4G (or 5G) cellular network dedicated exclusively to an organization, with its own network core, its own base stations, and usually its own spectrum (licensed, shared such as CBRS, or assigned by an operator). In contrast to public LTE, the private network does not share resources with other users, guarantees quality of service, operates in locations where commercial coverage does not reach (underground mines, tunnels, deep pits), and keeps all data within the enterprise perimeter. It is the same cellular technology used by a smartphone but configured as critical industrial infrastructure.
2. Private LTE or Private 5G: which does my operation require?
For most industrial operations today, LTE (4G) continues to be the most robust choice: a mature ecosystem, thousands of industrial terminals available, controlled cost, and sufficient performance for video, IoT, and basic tele operation. Private 5G (NR in band n78 or equivalent) delivers latencies below 10 ms and supports hundreds of thousands of devices per km², making it indispensable when the project involves full fleet autonomy, real time augmented reality, or remote drilling control. We design both scenarios and, when appropriate, hybrid LTE+5G architectures.
3. What spectrum is used in an industrial private network?
It depends on the country. In the United States, the CBRS band (3.55–3.70 GHz) provides shared spectrum accessible without a costly license. In Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan, there are dedicated bands reserved for private industrial use (3.7–3.8 GHz or n77). In Chile, Peru, and Mexico, it is typical to operate in collaboration with a mobile operator that allocates capacity in band 28 (700 MHz) or band 3 (1800 MHz), or to acquire specific local spectrum. We manage regulatory analysis and spectrum procedures as part of the project.
4. How does Private LTE operate in an underground mine with no commercial signal
The LTE signal is delivered in the gallery through pico cells installed every 300–800 meters, or through a 4G compatible radiating system. Each pico cell covers a segment, and all units connect to the surface network core via fiber optics. The outcome is continuous coverage from the mine entrance to the deepest working face, with automatic handover between cells as vehicles and personnel move.
5.Private LTE or Leaky Feeder: which is more suitable for mines?
They are not exclusive technologies; they are complementary. Leaky Feeder provides the voice and emergency radio layer (low latency, proven reliability over decades, and full compatibility with TETRA and DMR radios). Private LTE adds the high speed data layer that radio cannot transport: video surveillance, heavy equipment telemetry, tele operation, and large scale IoT sensing. The most robust architecture is a hybrid system in which Leaky Feeder carries voice and emergency communications, and Private LTE carries industrial data. We design both technologies in an integrated manner from the earliest stage of the project.
6. How many devices can an industrial private LTE network support?
A properly dimensioned private LTE network supports tens of thousands of simultaneous devices per network core, with growth capacity through the addition of cells. In typical operations, LTE radios embedded in trucks and drill rigs coexist with supervision tablets, video surveillance cameras, gas sensors, localization beacons, and connected doors. Private 5G extends this threshold to hundreds of thousands of devices per km², making it appropriate for projects involving complete digitalization of the operation.
7. How much does it cost to deploy a private LTE network in an industrial operation?
The cost depends on the size of the area to be covered, the type of spectrum used, the number of base stations required, and the degree of integration with existing systems. There is no standard price because each operation is a custom engineering project. The return is typically justified within 18–30 months through productivity gains, accident reduction, and process automation.
Caso de éxito
Mina de cobre a gran escala, Perú
Red LTE privada en banda 28 desplegada sobre 18 km² de operación mixta (pit y galerías), con 14 estaciones base y pico-celdas distribuidas en nivel de producción. Soporte simultáneo para 1.200+ dispositivos: camiones de extracción con telemetría en tiempo real, perforadoras tele-operadas, videovigilancia HD en rampas, sensórica de gases y SCADA integrado. La red convive con el Leaky Feeder TETRA heredado y extiende la capa de datos sin intervenir la capa de voz. Reducción del 22% en tiempos de ciclo del equipo pesado tras el primer año; reducción del 40% en desplazamientos físicos de supervisores gracias a la tele-operación.
Ver caso completo
Tecnologías desplegadas
LTE Privada banda 28
Pico-celdas ATEX
Gateway SCADA
Núcleo de red on-premise
Integración con Leaky Feeder TETRA
UQOMM
Complementary Technologies
Private LTE integrates natively with the rest of UQOMM’s technology portfolio:
Tecnología
Leaky Feeder technology
How it integrates with Private LTE:
Complementary layer for voice and emergency radio. Leaky Feeder carries TETRA/DMR with minimal latency, and Private LTE carries industrial data. This is the recommended architecture for any underground mining operation.
Tecnología
IoT technology FOR MINING
How it integrates with Private LTE:
The Private LTE network is the transport layer that carries gas, temperature, vibration, location, and equipment telemetry sensors. Without a private network, industrial IoT does not scale.
Tecnología
Digital Mining technology
How it integrates with Private LTE:
Operational dashboards, digital twins, and production‑oriented artificial intelligence rely on the network transporting data in real time. Private LTE is the enabling layer.
Tecnología
DAS / DRS technology
How it integrates with Private LTE:
In metro environments, tunnels, and buildings, the multiband DAS operates alongside Private LTE to deliver concurrent coverage for public networks and for the dedicated industrial network.