Vilicom and ZenFi Networks, both BAI Communications companies and soon to be rebranded Boldyn Networks, have today announced that they have respectively won Small Cell Forum Industry Awards. The winners were announced at the Small Cell Forum (SCF) Gala Dinner and Industry Awards Ceremony that took place on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the first evening of the Small Cells World Summit in London. The SCF Industry Awards is the only entirely independent awards event supporting technical innovation in, and the deployment of agile, scalable, cost-effective, cellular infrastructure and solutions by established and emerging service providers.
Vilicom received its’ award in the category “Excellence in Commercial Deployment by a Private Network Operator”, for its project, with Vestas, a leading supplier of Wind Turbines and solutions to the renewable sector, to deploy a cloud-enabled private network at the Moray East Wind Farm off the coast of Scotland. ZenFi Networks was awarded first place in the category “Social Impact – Promoting Small Cells for Social / Economic / Environmental Development”.
Vilicom won its award for its achievement in creating a highly advanced and innovative network, based on cloud network techniques, which combines the reliability of always-on IT systems, with new innovations in the field of Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) and Core Network Function Virtualization. The network maximises the benefits of stable, reliable 4G and 5G-ready technology, with Vilicom providing ongoing, 24-hour support to ensure that connectivity is never compromised. The mobile private network will provide the essential infrastructure to support communications across the site and plays a part in helping deliver renewable energy to over a million homes.
The Small Cell Forum has recognised the deployment of this next-generation network has significantly enhanced operations, maintenance processes, safety measures, and asset protection at the wind farm. This successful partnership serves as a testament to the transformative power of dedicated private networks and supports the country’s transition to a more sustainable way of producing energy.
Sean Keating, CEO of Vilicom comments on the win: “I am delighted that the Small Cell Forum has recognised Vilicom’s work on the Moray East wind farm, and honoured us with this award. Vilicom deployed a cloud-enabled private network at the wind farm that provides the offshore wind farm with reliable, low latency, high bandwidth network architecture and ensures seamless connectivity.”
ZenFi Networks won its’ award due to the company’s demonstrated commitment to the future of digital infrastructure and providing connectivity across the New York City metropolitan area. ZenFi Networks is currently partnered with CityBridge in deploying, operating and expanding one of the world’s largest public Wi-Fi networks, LinkNYC, utilising smart street furniture across New York City to ensure reliable 5G connectivity.
“We at ZenFi Networks are honoured to win the award for Social Impact – Promoting Small Cells for Social / Economic / Environmental Development. This type of recognition is a testament to the success that comes from public-private partnership initiatives, and hands-on engagement with the community,” ZenFi Networks Co-Founder and CEO Ray LaChance said. “Honours such as these only further reinforce our commitment to building the digital future of New York City, together.”
