Vertical: Manufacturing
Application:
Ecosystem: Ericsson
Private Network: 5G, CBRS
Ericsson, the telecom giant, has recently announced an additional $50 million investment in its Lewisville, Texas 5G Smart Factory. This investment not only bolsters the manufacturing of 5G radios and other products but also highlights the factory’s innovative use of a private network to enhance sustainability and efficiency.
The Lewisville factory, which began operations in 2020 with an initial investment of $100 million, has been utilizing a private CBRS network to connect various building systems such as HVAC, lighting, and water. This network has played a crucial role in the factory’s sustainability efforts, enabling a 25% reduction in energy consumption and a 75% decrease in water usage. These achievements have earned the facility both LEED Gold Certification and the prestigious designation as a Sustainability Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum.
Daniela Pires, head of Ericsson’s Lewisville 5G Smart Factory, emphasized the importance of the private CBRS network in driving innovation and efficiency within the manufacturing space. The network allows for real-time monitoring and optimization of various systems, contributing to the factory’s overall performance and environmental impact.
In addition to the CBRS network, the factory also utilizes a private 5G network for connecting equipment on the production floor. This year, both private networks are set to transition to C-Band spectrum, further enhancing their capabilities and potential applications.
The $50 million investment in the Lewisville factory not only secures Ericsson’s position as a leader in the 5G market but also demonstrates the company’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies like private CBRS and 5G networks to drive sustainability and efficiency in manufacturing.
“It’s very important that we are leading the way here because it’s not just a factory,” she said. “Some products for the U.S. are in prototype in this facility. So it’s not only about the production. We’re exploring how can we improve the lifestyles of our employees, quality, efficiency and everything related to the manufacturing space,” said Daniela Pires, head of Ericsson’s Lewisville 5G Smart Factory.
