Vale contracted the implementation of an unprecedented technology infrastructure to expand the reach of 4G internet throughout theCarajás Railway, which covers 28 municipalities between the states of Maranhão and Pará. The initiative is in partnership with Vivo and includes the installation of 49 new telephone towers, activation of another 27 already installed towers, in addition to the acquisition and installation of equipment.
Scheduled for completion in 2025, the new infrastructure will modernize data exchange at EFC, benefit communities neighboring the railway with free access points, in addition to improving connectivity in thePassenger Train. Vale's investment will be R$200 million. Another R$40 million will be contributed by Vivo, which will be responsible for implementing and offering the service.
“This initiative is in line with our commitment to investing in projects of shared value with society. It meets not only the needs of Vale – modernizing the technology used to exchange data during train circulation – but also of communities, with the provision of 4G signal throughout the EFC route, and also of Passenger Train users , improving connectivity during travel”, highlights Eduardo Bartolomeo, president of Vale.
“Our private network project plays a preponderant role in the materialization of initiatives that accelerate industrial digitalization, leveraging technologies such as IoT, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Analytics within the operation, transforming data into intelligence, ensuring greater security, cost reduction and gains in revenue. efficiency. And in addition to technological advances within Vale's railway operations, the companies will go further and share with the population the benefits of excellent connectivity in locations in all municipalities close to the railway”, explains Alex Salgado, VP of Business at Vivo.
More safety and efficiency for the railway
The new private network based on 4G will bring more security and efficiency to the operation of the Carajás Railway, which is already considered the safest railway in Brazil byNational Land Transport Agency (ANTT). All railway communication will be changed from analogue to digital, speeding up access to data generated by trains and enabling the implementation of even more innovative systems in the future.
With 4G, the railway will have real-time video transmission, allowing the driver to have greater visibility over what is happening on all sections of the track. Information generated by telemetry on train performance will also be available in real time along the entire length of the track. Furthermore, communication viacell phoneamong employees will be more stable.
The investment in the railway is part of an initiative that began in 2019, when Vale signed the first contract with Vivo for the installation of a private 4G network in its operations. “Since 2019, this network has already been implemented in Carajás, where it enables the operation of 22 autonomous equipment, including off-road trucks and drills, and in Itabira, where it supports dam monitoring”, explains Paulo Pires, Director of Technology . “With the expansion to the Carajás Railway, the total investment by Vale in the 4G network will be R$ 260 million” .
Value shared with communities
A relevant social impact of this technology project refers to the provision of free internet access points along the railway, in high-traffic locations such as hospitals, schools and community centers. Vale's teams have already started dialogue with leaders and representatives of public authorities to define which locations will benefit. There will be around 280 access points.
Furthermore, by the end of 2024, all 15 passenger stations along the EFC will have a free internet signal for users. In the first phase, the prioritized stations are: São Luís Vitória do Mearim, Santa Inês and Açailândia (MA); and Marabá and Parauapebas (PA).
“Since the project's conception, we have combined the need to modernize railway communications with meeting a legitimate demand from communities, which is to have greater access to digital telephony in the region. It is a strong example of how we incorporate commitment to communities into our strategy” , explains João Júnior, director of Operations at Estrada de Ferro Carajás.
Passenger Train Connectivity
One of the objectives of the technology project started now is to definitively make it possible to pay for meals using a credit card on Passenger Train trips, connecting the restaurant car's equipment to the new network that will be installed. Today, due to instability or lack of signal, payment is still made with cash.
As a way of anticipating this convenience, Vale began testing the use of satellite internet in August to make it possible to pay for meals with a card. As this is an alternative technological solution, and in the testing phase, Vale still recommends that passengers carry both forms of payment (cash and card), avoiding setbacks.
Vale in Maranhão
Vale's operations in Maranhão are strategic for the company's business and for Brazilian mining. It is through the Carajás Railway that all iron ore production from southeastern Pará reaches the Ponta da Madeira Maritime Terminal, in São Luís (MA). From the port, production crosses the oceans to consumer markets around the world, especially China, one of the largest buyers today.
In Maranhão, Vale employs 22,200 workers, including its own and permanent contractors. Between January and June this year, R$157.5 million were paid in taxes (ICMS and ISS) and R$2.2 billion in purchases from local suppliers (head office and branch). To find out more, access Balanço Vale + .