Back in 2020, Infrastructure Networks (INET) completed a large expansion of its private LTE network, focusing on what they called energy basins in the U.S. RCR Wireless reported back in March 2024 that this has not stalled, with the US energy sector buying $14 million worth of private wireless networks. While many vertical industries have gotten in on the private wireless boomlet, the energy sector’s embrace of private 5G is particularly interesting because of the large scope.
According to BusinessWire, the networks that were set up by INET cover a total of 130,000 miles. That wide swatch covers four large energy locations in the United States: one in West Texas/Southeast New Mexico, another in South Texas, one in Oklahoma, and a last one in North Dakota. Together with Nokia, the two ramped up the abilities of these areas to provide high-bandwidth and low-latency connection. The focus from private wireless on oil and gas operations is not an accident, according to the company’s CEO.
Mark Slaughter, the CEO of INET said at the time, “With 24/7 monitoring, field support, guaranteed uptime and quality of service, INET is uniquely situated to serve the demanding nature of oil and gas operations as compared to ‘best efforts’ services from consumer wireless companies such as AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. We expect to grow our network coverage more broadly into additional North American energy basins as market activity warrants.”
This has paved the way for future growth in the industry, with Future Technologies’ $14 million worth of orders from energy sources in the United States. The company noted that there has always been concern with climates being harsh and in remote geographical areas when it comes to the energy sector. Wi-Fi on its own was unable to be the solution that many of these people needed, and private wireless has stepped in to fill the gap.
Future Technologies also said it secured several multi-million dollar contracts with industrial partners, especially in the manufacturing sector. The growth of private wireless in these vertical industries has continued apace. To find out more about Future Technologies’ endeavors, check out RCRwireless.com, and to learn more about INET, visit businesswire.com. To learn more about private LTE, return to locallte.com.
