Telecommunications giants Telefônica Brasil (Vivo), TIM, and Intelsat have unveiled new contracts aimed at accelerating the digital transformation within Brazil’s robust agribusiness sector. These firms are at the forefront of providing private and dedicated networks to this critical industry. Intelsat is notably recognized as the pioneer in delivering multi-orbit satellite communications to the nation’s farmers.
Telefônica has deployed 4G antennas in the 700MHz spectrum to enhance connectivity for the agricultural conglomerate Bom Jesus group in Mato Grosso, with a coverage expanse of approximately 28,000 hectares. Bom Jesus is involved in the transportation and trading of grains, fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, as well as cattle ranching and fuel retail across several Brazilian states.
The telecommunications infrastructure established by Telefônica not only encompasses 4G but also incorporates Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT) and Long-Term Evolution for Machines (LTE-M) networks, which are more adept at supporting digital applications in agriculture. Telefônica points out that while NB-IoT is more suitable for static devices that monitor climate parameters, LTE-M is better for applications requiring higher mobility, such as telemetry for farm machinery.
Telefônica is charged with the entire physical infrastructure for this initiative, including tower construction and backhaul, in addition to the antennas. Their agribusiness strategy revolves around orchestrating a comprehensive digital ecosystem and co-creating use cases with farmers. The Vivo Agro solutions portfolio spans microclimate data, machinery operation insights, and livestock activities data, supplemented by collaborations with academic institutions and startups.
TIM, on the other hand, has announced a significant investment by BP Bunge Bioenergia of 100 million reais (about US$19.5 million) into the digitalization of its agricultural operations. This investment will facilitate the construction of 98 new sites boasting TIM’s 4G signal, marking the largest rural connectivity project in Brazil. The network will extend over 3 million hectares across various states, potentially benefiting over 100,000 local residents, including 65 schools.
In Minas Gerais alone, TIM’s project encompasses 41 4G towers that will serve BP Bunge Bioenergia’s facilities and positively impact roughly 43,000 individuals. BP Bunge has also invested heavily in technology for its agricultural machinery, which is managed from an integrated SmartHub featuring Agriculture 4.0 capabilities and data-driven operational management using AI.
BP Bunge is also directing funds towards a program named Brigada 4.0 to combat fires in sugarcane fields, where connectivity and automation are crucial. The program incorporates satellite monitoring and high-definition thermal cameras to proactively address fire risks. Moreover, BP Bunge’s focus extends to regenerative agriculture, seeking to rejuvenate soil health, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate climate change. Their investments in this area have yielded increased productivity, cost savings, and reduced carbon emissions.
TIM takes pride in its leadership position in agribusiness connectivity, covering more than 17 million hectares with 4G services and aiming to connect 20 million hectares by the end of the year. The company’s 4G TIM no Campo project benefits over 1.5 million people across numerous municipalities.
INTELSAT has entered into an agreement with CNH Industrial, a leading equipment manufacturer, to facilitate the connectivity of agricultural machinery in Brazil’s most remote areas. This collaboration includes the installation of rugged multi-orbit satellite terminals on CNH farm equipment, leveraging Intelsat’s global network. Intelsat emphasizes the necessity of robust connectivity for ‘precision farming’, which requires seamless data streaming from farm machinery to the cloud. They highlight that a significant portion of the world’s 570 million farms are situated in areas with limited access to traditional connectivity, with less than a quarter of Brazilian farmland in proximity to a cellular tower.
This initiative is expected to be launched in Brazil in the third quarter of 2024. TIM has an existing cellular 4G partnership with CNH Industrial, dating back to 2021, which includes collaboration with Case IH at the Água Boa farm in Mato Grosso.
