The Brazilian subsidiary of Ericsson have signed a partnership with John Deere to research and develop technological innovation using 5G technology to boost new agribusiness revenue.
The agreement enables the companies to work together to develop solutions focused on 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) with the aim of identifying and solving issues in the sector through connectivity.
Under the terms of the deal, Ericsson and John Deere R&D and innovation centers will apply IoT mobile ecosystem technologies such as Narrowband IoT (NB-loT) and Cat-M1 to drive agribusiness solutions based on 3GPP standards.
The proofs of concept (PoC) will initially be jointly developed at John Deere’s Central Office for Latin America, in Indaiatuba in Sao Paulo, and at John Deere’s Center of Agriculture and Precision and Innovation (CAPI) in Campinas, where 5G equipment will be installed.
The agreement includes equipping John Deere’s factories with 5G equipment to contribute to the implementation of a digital transformation strategy.
According to the Ericsson 5G Business Potential study, the agriculture sector has the potential to make $9.6 billion by 2030, with $1.9 billion in additional earnings boosted by 5G.
Murilo Barbosa, Business VP for Southern Latin America, Ericsson, said: “It’s essential to understand agribusiness as a complex and plural value chain, from farm to table, to ports and cars, which employs millions of Brazilians, contributing with almost 25% of Brazil’s GDP. The entire agribusiness ecosystem, from 5G onward, can make the country even more productive than it already is. 5G technology will play a key role in this new cycle of innovation and we are delighted to be able to move forward in this direction in partnership with John Deere.”
Rodrigo Bonato, director of the Intelligent Solutions Group (ISG) at John Deere Latin America, said: “We are democratizing the use of connectivity in rural areas and providing cost-free solutions for the farmer, who from now on will produce in an increasingly efficient and environmentally sustainable manner. Connectivity unlocks all the potential and innovation available in the field, also benefiting other sectors of society, from Telemedicine to E-learning, for example. Not to mention that technology still attracts more and younger people back to the countryside, promoting job creation and entrepreneurship.”
In November 2020, John Deere had obtained 5G licenses in five counties in Iowa and Illinois as part of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auction for the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) 3.5 GHz spectrum.
John Deere previously said it will implement 5G at its manufacturing facilities in the following counties: Rock Island, Illinois; Scott County, Iowa; Dubuque, Iowa; Polk County, Iowa; Black Hawk County, Iowa. The rollout is set to occur during fiscal year 2022.
