Vi Business, the enterprise arm of telecom operator Vi, has partnered with Hindalco Industries Limited to deploy a dedicated private network at the latter’s Baphlimali Bauxite Mine in Rayagada district, Odisha, marking Hindalco’s first private network deployment and a significant step in its Industry 4.0 journey.
The multi-year managed services deployment will cover spectrum, core, radio access network (RAN) and managed services, creating a secure and scalable connectivity backbone for the mine. The initiative is expected to support digital use cases including worker safety solutions, fleet management, drone and CCTV-based surveillance, real-time monitoring and operational efficiency.
A key component will be an Integrated Command and Control Centre, designed to provide centralised operational visibility, data-driven decision-making and control. The deployment reflects the growing role of dedicated industrial connectivity in supporting automation, safety and productivity across mission-critical operations.
M P Sunil Kumar, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Vi Business, said the project demonstrates the company’s ability to build customised private networks for complex industrial environments. Hindalco’s Kailash Pandey, CEO, Aluminium Upstream, said the network would strengthen connected, automated and data-driven mining operations.
The initiative also supports Hindalco’s responsible mining agenda, with Baphlimali recently receiving Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard Certification. The partnership highlights the convergence of telecom infrastructure, industrial digitalisation and sustainable mining practices.