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During tunnel construction with no cellular signal, E-Trust enabled 3.5 km Wi-Fi using PicoCELA - eliminating 30+ minute trips to the entrance satellite link and enabling faster emergency response
| Customer: | E-Trust Co., Ltd., Japan |
|---|---|
| Industry: | Tunnel Communications / Construction |
| Product: | PCWL-0510 (+ directional antennas) |
| Highlights: | ≈ 3.5 km coverage / rapid deployment / improved safety / IP67 durability |
Background
About the customer: E-Trust is a Japanese engineering company specializing in communication systems, safety monitoring, and infrastructure support for industrial and public projects. The company aims to improve operational safety and communication reliability in challenging environments such as tunnels and construction sites.
E-Trust undertook a project to provide emergency and operational communication inside a ~3.5 km tunnel where cellular coverage was unavailable. The goal was to build a reliable Wi-Fi network capable of supporting voice, video, and data communication in real time, while minimizing installation time and maintenance workload under harsh, dusty conditions.
Challenges (Before)
- No cellular signal within the ≈ 3.5 km tunnel or surrounding area; no wired network available
- Workers had to travel 30 minutes to the entrance to access communications
- Delayed emergency response in urgent situations
- Harsh environment (dust, humidity, vibration)
- Wide-area coverage required (≈ 3.5 km)
- Limited time for installation and system verification
Why PicoCELA / Key Factors for Implementation
-
E-Trust selected PicoCELA's PCWL-0510 (× 5) with directional antennas for the following reasons:
- Wireless multi-hop backhaul enabled long-distance connectivity across the ≈ 3.5 km tunnel without LAN cables
- Industrial-grade IP67 durability for tunnel environments
- Rapid deployment -- installation and verification completed in ≈ half a day
- Stable throughput and low latency for emergency voice, video, and data communication
Results (After)
- Stable Wi-Fi coverage achieved across the entire ≈ 3.5 km tunnel
- Real-time communication between workers and headquarters established
- Improved situational awareness and response through live video links
- Significant reduction in setup time and cabling cost
- Enhanced safety and productivity for on-site operations