Vertical: Manufacturing
Application: Asset management and maintenance, predictive maintenance, AI-powered safety monitoring, real-time operational monitoring, smart factory connectivity, drones and robotics integration
Ecosystem: EMSTEEL Group, e& UAE
Private Network: 5G
Abu Dhabi-based EMSTEEL Group has successfully piloted what the company describes as the world’s first private 5G network designed specifically for the manufacturing sector. The deployment, executed in partnership with e& UAE, represents a major step in the steel manufacturer’s broader Industry 4.0 strategy and aligns with the UAE’s Operation 300bn national industrial initiative.
The private network delivers dedicated, high-speed wireless coverage across EMSTEEL’s industrial facilities, addressing connectivity challenges that traditional solutions have struggled to overcome in complex manufacturing environments. By keeping all operational data within EMSTEEL’s on-premise infrastructure, the network enables secure integration of advanced digital applications while maintaining control over sensitive production information.
The Asset Insight platform serves as the pilot deployment’s first practical application. Workers equipped with industrial-grade tablets can scan QR codes affixed to equipment to instantly access asset documentation, maintenance records, and real-time sensor data. The platform also allows personnel to generate maintenance requests immediately from the production floor, helping to minimize downtime and avoid costly repairs while improving overall maintenance efficiency and workplace safety.
Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer at EMSTEEL, emphasized the significance of the deployment: “Our partnership with e& UAE to launch the world’s first private 5G network in manufacturing represents a landmark achievement in EMSTEEL’s digital transformation journey. It is more than a technological upgrade; it is a fundamental shift in how we operate, innovate, and ensure the safety of our people and assets. The Asset Insight platform is a powerful example of how we are translating Industry 4.0 principles into tangible operational benefits. This pilot launch reinforces our commitment to pioneering sustainable and efficient manufacturing practices, setting a new benchmark for the industrial sector both regionally and globally.”
The network infrastructure connects an array of smart devices including sensors, drones, barcode scanners, and AI-enabled safety cameras to a centralized data center, enabling instantaneous data exchange across operations. Vladimir Arshinov, EMSTEEL’s Group Chief Technology Officer, explained the impact: “This hybrid connectivity enables seamless real-time data transmission and system integration, empowering EMSTEEL with rapid decision-making capabilities, advanced analytics, and continuous operational monitoring.”
Safety applications represent another critical dimension of the deployment. The high-speed, secure network channels support AI-driven computer vision systems that monitor factory floors through safety cameras, detecting missing personal protective equipment and unsafe behaviors in real time. Smart helmets connected to the network provide live monitoring of working conditions, with the system capable of identifying hazards and sending immediate alerts to safety managers. According to Arshinov, “We are creating a safer, smarter, and more efficient manufacturing environment.”
Beyond the immediate pilot applications, EMSTEEL has outlined plans to expand the network’s capabilities. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with e& UAE to explore robotics, artificial intelligence, and Drones as a Service initiatives that would further enhance automation, remote monitoring, and industrial safety across its operations.
