By James Blackman

Taiwanese telecoms operator Chunghwa Telecom has deployed a private 5G network for local electronics manufacturer Delta Electronics, in conjunction with state-owned telecommunications company National Telecom, formerly TOT PCL, and MVNO and IoT airtime provider The WhiteSpace. The network has been installed at Delta Electronics’ factory in the Bangpoo Industrial Estate, in Samutprakarn on the Gulf of Thailand.

Delta Electronics is in the process of building a new factory at the site; it is unclear if the new 5G network, already working, is in newly completed factory premises or in an existing factory site. Delta Electronics, which supplies power components to Apple and Tesla, among others, has 200 facilities worldwide. TOT PCL become National Telecom last year, after a merger with state-owned CAT Telecom, which hosts the MVNO from The WhiteSpace.

All parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the private 5G project last year. The new 5G network is already being used to support augmented reality (AR) for remote collaboration, including for assembly training, operational assistance, and equipment control and inspections. Its deployment is part of Delta Electronics’ broader “digital transformation in the post-pandemic era”.

It is in the process of testing automated guided vehicles (AGVs) on the network, also. President at Chunghwa Telecom, Shui-Yi Kuo said his company has “verified cross-industry practices in deploying 5G, AI, blockchain, and other technologies”, and that these, combined, have already made “life more convenient and safe” at the Delta Electronics plant. The company is doing the same for transport management and healthcare delivery in Taiwan.

There was no word on the spectrum provision at the Delta Electronics site. A statement said it will “gradually introduce the 5G enterprise private network as the communication infrastructure for these intelligent applications to its other factories in the near future.” Delta is a member of the Taiwan Climate Partnership, with a commitment to net-zero carbon emissions.

Kuo said: “Going forward, 5G, AI, and IoT will lead to more innovative solutions and new breakthroughs… Thanks to the central and local governments for their strong support… This transnational cooperation [at Delta Electronics] is a pioneering and successful business project, and Chunghwa Telecom looks forward to more business opportunities in the southeast Asian market.”

Last month, Chunghwa Telecom announced a deal to deploy an outdoor 5G-based open RAN private network in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan. It said the new private 5G network will operate in the 4.4-5 GHz frequency band, and will be used to test stability and compatibility of locally produced open RAN cell equipment.