Telecom26’s team of global mobile data connectivity experts is busy preparing new Private Network packages for both land and sea customers which will be launched early next year. (Also known as Non-Public Networks or NPNs, in the context of mobile).
During a chat about their Christmas plans, Telecom26’s team joked about how they could use a Private Network to help Santa Claus improve efficiencies in what must be the world’s most complicated logistical project.
They reached out to offer their connectivity experience and expertise and what Santa said that he really needs is a fully digitised, automated operation that includes:
- A toy factory that can prioritise the manufacture of the toys that children were requesting the most
- A warehouse where as many tasks as possible are automated; Santa’s elves are always over-stretched…
- A distribution centre that can sort and store packages by location with the most time-efficient routes for December 25 prepared
Also on Santa’s Christmas list is global mobile data connectivity for his team of helpers in grottos around the world which we’ll discuss in another blog.
Santa’s toy factory, Private Networks and IoT
Production is Santa’s factory is year-round. Traditional toys like chess sets and roller skates that are always popular are made from January to June. After that, attention turns to the latest crazes and fashions.
Our team plans to build a Private Network that will provide connectivity to all the elves and workers, and IoT-connected devices, machinery and tools within the factory. Every helper has a Telecom26 eSIM which connects to the Private Network, while machines and devices are connected by routers that have the eSIM loaded via our LPAd solution.
Santa’s Private Network means that he and his helpers will always be able to monitor production levels – and alter them at a touch of a button from their devices as the Dear Santa letters and requests from grottos start coming in.
As toys come off the production line, both robots and elves are messaged to collect them and take them to the warehouse.
Connectivity for Santa’s warehouse
Santa knows that he hasn’t kept up to speed with the investments online retailers have made in their fulfilment centres and distribution hubs. His need to embrace autonomous robots and vehicles isn’t as great as for commercial organisations because he has a huge workforce of elves who adore their jobs and would make mischief if not gainfully employed.
The minimum Santa’s team needs is for the location of each individual toy within the warehouse to be sent via the Private Network to a central database where it is also assigned with the age range of a child that it is suitable for. Distributed sensors collect this information via RFID, send it to the routers and then over the private network to be processed.
As the year progresses, the warehouse gets fuller and fuller so knowing how many of each toy is available is also vital for Santa’s team.
And as December 25 approaches, elves receive the wish lists of individual children onto their connected devices and move around the warehouse collecting parcels which they deliver to the distribution centre.
Connectivity to and within Santa’s distribution centre
The Private Network also extends into Santa’s distribution centre with all the elves that are packaging up presents and sticking on addresses able to communicate with each other, and with elves in the warehouse when a toy hasn’t yet made it from the warehouse to the distribution centre.
Packages are sorted into rounds in preparation for the world’s biggest logistical challenge which starts at 12:01 on 25 December.
Licensing and spectrum for Santa’s Private Network
Usually an organisation wishing to build a private network needs a license from its national regulator to use the spectrum which has been allocated for Private Networks in that country by the ITU-R (International Telecommunication Union, Radio Communication Sector – a unit of the UN). However, as The North Pole is in the Arctic Ocean, which isn’t owned by any country under international law, no permissions are needed for Santa’s Private Network. Happy Days!
Getting Santa into the 21st century with a Telecom26 Private Network
With a Private Network, Santa’s team can be more efficient with all data protected by Telecom26’s advanced security.
As there is no cellular coverage at the North Pole, Telecom26’s use of private networks on-the-ground will minimise the need for satellite up and downlinks.
The private network provides connectivity between devices and only traffic that breaks out of the network will use satellite.
Building a Private Network for your organisation
Many companies and organisations recognise the potential that Private Networks can offer. They — not MNOs — are best placed to understand the kinds of performance that they need to achieve within the Private Network. However, translating business KPIs into network KPIs to ensure that the Private Network delivers is a different matter.
That’s where Telecom26 comes in. We have the experience and technical know-how to help any organisation deploy the right kind of Private Network – optimised to meet business and organisational goals. Of course, large MNOs may also help – but they may only be focused on multi-national corporations, not the needs of smaller businesses.
We can provide the radio, transport and core — and we can even help determine how you enable access to your network — together with our SIMs for local device connectivity, protected by our advanced security.
Best of all, we take care of the mobility part, while you focus on the outcomes you seek from your Private Network. It’s a partnership that blends our expertise with yours, bringing Private Networks to any organisation that needs them. Your network, how you want it – delivered and managed by us with our connectivity.
Want to chat?
If you would like to organise a video call to discuss how a Private Network can make your operations more efficient please get in touch.
We will be attending:
- Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, 3-6 March
So again please get in touch if you’re also going to MWC and would like to meet-up.
