Nokia and Solis Tower Telecom do Brasil Partner to enhance digital agriculture in Brazil

Nokia has partnered with Solis Tower Telecom do Brasil, a leading telecom infrastructure organization, to provide innovative digital agriculture solutions aimed at boosting connectivity in Brazil’s rural areas. This collaboration is set to transform agribusinesses across the country, significantly improving productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.

The partnership focuses on the expansion of private wireless networks to deliver substantial gains in productivity and an increase in food production. This initiative is critical as agribusinesses constitute approximately a quarter of Brazil’s GDP. Currently, only 19% of the land available for agricultural use in Brazil benefits from 4G or 5G coverage, highlighting the significant potential for growth in digital infrastructure.

The new network will provide robust connectivity to many farming communities in rural or plantation areas, many of which remain unconnected. This enhanced connectivity will allow farm workers to perform everyday tasks more efficiently, such as using banking apps or connecting with their families, and enable instant communication between workers and managers.

Nokia’s contribution includes a range of equipment from its AirScale portfolio, such as small cells, baseband units, Macro Remote Radio Heads, and base stations. Additionally, Nokia’s energy-efficient all-in-one cabinet solutions feature advanced cooling solutions for outdoor use. These technologies support Internet of Things (IoT) applications, including NB-IoT and LTE-M, which are pivotal for integrating machines, people, and sensors across the agricultural landscape.

The benefits of this partnership are already being realized on farms like Vera Cruz do Xingu in Mato Grosso, Brazil. According to Henrique Carneiro Gonçalves, Director of Vera Cruz do Xingu farm, the private LTE network has revolutionized farm operations. “IoT monitors give us instant access to information on things such as humidity, harvesting or fuel consumption, helping us to be more efficient, save money and get better outcomes,” said Gonçalves.

Felippe Antonelle, Co-Founder of Solis, emphasized the transformative impact of the project, stating, “This important project will have a transformative impact on farming communities across Brazil giving them access to critical communications and internet access. It will drive greater efficiencies and increases in productivity.”

Renato Bueno, Enterprise Sales Director for Nokia Mobile Networks in Latin America, also highlighted the strategic importance of digitalization in these communities. “Through our industry-leading technology, we help our customer Solis bridge the digital divide and connect the unconnected,” he noted.

This partnership between Nokia and Solis Tower Telecom do Brasil is a testament to the power of digital transformation in agriculture, promising to usher in a new era of productivity and connectivity for Brazil’s rural sectors.