Artiga de Lin refuge inaugurates satellite connectivity to improve the management of its high mountain environment

• The project was presented this morning with representatives from Mobile World Capital Barcelona, Hispasat, Conselh Generau d’Aran, Arantec and i2CAT Foundation, who have highlighted the multiple functionalities provided by the broadband coverage that satellite connection allows.
• The event included a simulation of an emergency call with firefighters from the Pompièrs Emergècies del Vall d’Aran, who, thanks to the satellite connection, were able to communicate with the refuge.

October 17, 2022

This morning, Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital), Hispasat, Conselh Generau d’Aran and Arantec presented the first pilot project in the framework of the 5G Aran Area, which will provide the Artiga de Lin de Vielha refuge with satellite technology. The project has also been supported by the promoters of the Aran 5G Area strategy: Generalitat de Catalunya, Fundació i2CAT, Institut per al Desenvolupament i la Promoció de l’Alt Pirineu i l’Aran (IDAPA), Diputació de Lleida and Cambra de Comerç de Lleida.

This is the first step towards the deployment of broadband satellite connectivity, which will have a direct impact on the provision of services such as the control of livestock in the area, the monitoring of the weather and possible avalanches, the management of tourist itineraries and the actions of the emergency services.

During the presentation, the connection was tested by simulating an emergency call. This enabled communication to be established, both by voice and video, with the emergency control room of the Pompièrs-Emergècies en Casau emergency corps, which serves all the municipalities in the Val d’Aran.

Thanks to the satellite connection provided by the Hispasat antenna, the shelter manager has been able to communicate with Pompièrs-Emergècies. Before the satellite deployment, the site had no telephone coverage or internet connection.

Thanks to the deployment of this coverage, the refuge will have a facility with the following characteristics:

• Wifi HotSpot inside the hostel that will facilitate the management of the establishment and will offer connection to the users.
• Wifi HotSpot in the area of influence of the refuge that will allow the establishment of a safe point for emergencies and provide connection to hikers to consult the status of the routes.
• Intercom and webcam with direct connection to the 112 emergency number.
• LoRa wireless network access point, a technology that enables the connection of sensors and other devices with minimal maintenance and energy expenditure, thus enabling various functionalities of IoT solutions promoted by Conselh, such as monitoring of livestock or people with LoRa interactive devices.

5G Aran Area, a lever to reduce the digital divide in mountain areas

The pilot is the result of the agreement signed between MWCapital, Hispasat, Conselh Generau d’Aran and Arantec, in collaboration with the Generalitat de Catalunya, during the Mobile World Congress 2022. This alliance is a commitment to the deployment of satellite technology in remote high mountain areas and the development of smart connectivity pilot projects, applicable to the particularities of the territory and its needs.

In addition, the project is part of the 5G Areas strategy, an initiative promoted by MWCapital, Generalitat de Catalunya and i2CAT Foundation, and more specifically within the 5G Aran Area, where the local partners Conselh Generau d’Aran, IDAPA, Diputació de Lleida and Cambra de Comerç de Lleida join. This strategy aims to accelerate strategic sectors for Catalonia as a whole, such as, for example, sustainable mobility, livestock and rural management, environmental protection and/or the attraction of quality tourism and sports in natural environments.

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Mobile World Capital Barcelona is an initiative that drives the digital development of society and helps to improve people’s lives globally. With public and private support, MWCapital focuses its activity on four areas: accelerating innovation through digital entrepreneurship; transforming industry through digital technology; growing digital talent among new generations and professionals; and reflecting on the impact of technology on our society. Together, the programmes positively transform the economy, education and society. MWCapital hosts MWC in Barcelona and is the founder of 4 Years From Now (4YFN), the business platform for the startup community present at all MWC events worldwide.