Peplink Powers AI-Driven Construction at Mega Scale

The Challenge

Reliable 5G for AI Applications from Day One

The network had to be in place before construction began. Drone-based environmental planning started before any permanent infrastructure existed, and mobile equipment such as forklifts needed to stay connected throughout the project without a fixed line. Cellular connectivity had to do the heavy lifting from day one.

The applications also placed heavy demands on the uplink. Each forklift carried IR, light, and vibration sensors plus IP cameras, feeding AI safety applications that detect risks and trigger alerts in real time. An AI-powered electronic fence watched for unauthorized entry. All of it pushed large volumes of video and sensor data from the field back to the site's systems, and any delay could undermine the very safety the network existed to protect.

Scale compounded the challenge. Hundreds of connected devices had to operate reliably at the same time, across sites ranging from 50 to 200 hectares, with consistent performance wherever they were deployed.

The Solution

A Scalable 5G Architecture Built for Performance

Working with NetBridge Technology, the manufacturer deployed a Peplink-based cellular network that connected both fixed and mobile applications without relying on permanent infrastructure.Two problems had to be solved in order: signal quality first, then capacity.

At drone landing stations, a Balance 310 was connected to four BR1 Pro 5G routers, each paired with an Antenna MAX to minimize cable loss and optimize 5G reception. SpeedFusion Bandwidth Bonding aggregated the four 5G connections into a single high-capacity link, delivering the uplink needed to move large drone survey files from the field.

On the mobile side, each forklift and electronic fence camera ran on a BR1 Mini 5G, linking onboarding cameras and sensors locally with encrypted backhaul.

Across every site, InControl gave the team centralized visibility and remote management of the entire Peplink fleet, keeping the architecture consistent as the deployment expanded.

The Result

Scaling AI-Powered Construction from 50 to 200 Hectares and Beyond

The Antenna MAX pairing delivered a measurable improvement in signal quality. Before installation, cellular conditions at the drone stations were marginal. Afterward, RSRP rose from -96 to -65 dBm and SINR from 7 to 18 dB, confirming a stable, high-quality uplink for transmitting large volumes of drone footage from the field.

With reliable uplinks, the site could act on its field data. For environmental planning, faster drone footage transmission supported terrain surveying and ongoing monitoring, helping keep new construction compatible with local ecosystems and migratory bird habitats.

On forklifts, live camera and sensor data fed AI safety applications that flagged risks and triggered alerts in real time. The same data streamed fed the site's digital twin, where AI models analyzed live conditions and tested "what-if" scenarios to catch hazards before they occurred. The digital twin is only as current as the data reaching it, which is why the uplink mattered.

Centralized management with InControl made it easier to operate and support the expanding multi-site network. What began on a single 50-hectare site extended successfully to multiple locations, including one spanning 200 hectares.

As the manufacturer accelerates construction of new foundries, the ability to quickly replicate connectivity across new sites becomes increasingly important. The Peplink network provides a repeatable model that can be deployed across temporary sites, mobile operations, and other connected construction environments, helping the manufacturer scale connectivity alongside its construction projects.