Private 5G for mining gets a boost with Indian MoU

India’s state-owned operator BSNL and the mining major Coal India have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the use of private 5G networks in mining operations. The agreement aims to test how 5G can support automation, remote monitoring, worker safety and more efficient use of equipment in mines.

Private 5G has been slow to take off in industry, but this move signals that both government-backed telecoms and heavy industry in India still see it as a strategic tool. The partnership will assess technical and commercial models for deploying dedicated 5G networks in mining sites, potentially setting templates for wider industrial use in the country.