Ericsson and Epiroc have expanded their relationship into a broader go-to-market alliance for the mining sector, with Epiroc set to offer Ericsson LTE and 5G connectivity products as part of its digital portfolio.
The alliance builds on a collaboration that began in 2018, when the two companies agreed to explore how LTE and 5G could be used in mining operations. Under the new arrangement, Epiroc will act as a systems integrator, reselling and deploying Ericsson's enterprise wireless technology for mining customers worldwide.
The deal covers both surface and underground mines, where operators are increasing investment in digital systems to support automated equipment, remote operations and maintenance planning. Ericsson's private wireless products will be integrated with Epiroc offerings including telematics, vendor-agnostic remote-control systems, situational awareness tools and collision-avoidance systems.
Mining companies are under pressure to improve worker safety, increase output and manage costs while operating in difficult, often remote environments. Reliable site-wide connectivity has become more important as mines seek to connect machines, sensors and control systems across large areas and underground.
Epiroc said the broader alliance is designed to make it easier for customers to deploy private wireless networks as part of broader operational technology systems. Connectivity provides a foundation for scaling automation and other digital tools in mine operations.
For Ericsson, the agreement offers a route into more mining projects through a supplier with an established industry presence. For Epiroc, adding Ericsson's LTE and 5G products expands a digital offering aimed at mine operators seeking to connect equipment and support remote and autonomous applications.
Mining focus
The mining sector has become an active testing ground for private cellular networks because of the limits of conventional communications systems in harsh industrial settings. Underground operations in particular present challenges for coverage, mobility and reliability, while surface mines require connectivity across wide, constantly changing areas as vehicles and equipment move around sites.
Private LTE and 5G networks are increasingly being used by industrial operators that want more control over performance, security and data handling than public mobile services typically provide. In mining, these networks can support communications between vehicles, drills, fixed infrastructure and control rooms, as well as links for workers using connected devices in the field.
The agreement also reflects a broader shift in industrial technology markets, where equipment makers are combining hardware and software with communications systems to offer more integrated packages. That approach can simplify procurement and deployment for customers that would otherwise need to coordinate separate suppliers for networks, automation tools and operational software.
Paul Bergström, President of Epiroc's Digital Solutions Division, said Epiroc sees communications infrastructure as a growing part of mine modernisation efforts. “Connectivity is becoming increasingly important as mining companies advance automation and digitalisation throughout their operations. Together with Ericsson, we are strengthening our offering and helping customers build the robust communications infrastructure needed to enable safer, more efficient, and more productive mining operations,” Bergström said.
For Ericsson, the alliance is intended to support industrial users as they link connectivity more closely with operational systems. The company has been expanding its enterprise wireless business as manufacturers, logistics operators and resource companies adopt private cellular networks for site operations.
Pankaj Malhotra, Head of Product and Engineering, Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions, said the collaboration is intended to support practical use in the field. “This collaboration is about enabling real operational impact for mining customers-safer operations, higher productivity, and greater efficiency. By providing the connectivity foundation behind Epiroc's digital and automation solutions, we are helping mining companies modernise operations at scale. Our partnership with Epiroc is an important step in building the connected ecosystems that modern industrial enterprises depend on,” Malhotra said.
The alliance responds to demand for more resilient operational technology systems in critical industrial environments, where disruptions can affect production and safety at the same time.