Ensuring Seamless Connectivity in White Zones | Willemen Groep

The challenge:

• Construction sites are often in areas with no network coverage (“white zones”).
• Patchy connectivity creates delays and difficulties in progressing projects.
• Increased bandwidth is essential for communications due to the large number of people on these sites.
• Wireless and fibre set-up through traditional providers for new construction sites is slow - it can take up to three months to get connected.

A 3-in-1 combined solution:

• Peplink routers create reliable connectivity by bonding 4G mobile data, Starlink, and fixed lines to ensure continuous and stable connection to remote sites.
• Starlink’s LEO coverage provides fast and reliable satellite connection, which is especially useful in areas with no traditional network coverage.
• SpeedFusion technology combines different internet sources into a single tunnel to connect to internal applications seamlessly.

Results:

• Reduced interruptions: Significant reduction in delays and interruptions thanks to stable and diversified connectivity.
• Improved productivity: Increase in operational efficiency and team productivity due to a reliable connection, enabling the use of business applications.
• Optimised project management: Enhancing the ability to launch and manage projects has a positive impact on timelines and work quality.

Willemen Groep, a leading construction company in Belgium, is recognised for its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation in the sector.

Its four key areas of activity are construction, infrastructure, technical, and real estate. The company frequently faces connectivity challenges as it often operates in remote areas where internet coverage is limited.

We spoke with Kenneth Claes, IT Infrastructure and Service Desk Manager, about how Willemen Groep set out to solve this issue.

Why did you choose to work with Venn Telecom?

Our main challenge was ensuring reliable and fast connectivity on various construction sites. These are often located in remote areas where mobile connectivity is insufficient.

We were looking for a solution capable of supporting our operations without interruption. That’s why we turned to Venn to provide the connectivity needed within defined periods. These sites are frequently located in white zones with weak connectivity and wireless connection proved to be a quick and effective solution.

What solution did Venn Telecom propose to meet your connectivity needs?

We use 4G connectivity to communicate effectively with our on-site teams. Due to the number of people present, we need more bandwidth than fixed lines can provide.

We face situations where telecom operators cannot provide 4G connectivity on certain sites. That’s where Starlink prove to be a major strength of Venn’s solution. In these specific cases, we can rely exclusively on Starlink to benefit from higher bandwidth.

How has the collaboration with Venn Telecom improved your operational efficiency?

Any day without connectivity is an obstacle for our sites, leading to delays and difficulties in progressing our projects. Our teams often work with company-related applications which depend on a good connection.

That’s why reliable connectivity improves our efficiency and is essential for communicating and collaborating with our teams on the ground.

Venn’s multi-operator solution is more effective than relying on a single telecom operator. By collaborating with multiple operators, Venn ensures constant connectivity, which is essential for the smooth running of sites and the proper functioning of our teams.

Would you recommend Venn Telecom, and if so, why?

Yes, speed and flexibility are the two keywords that define Venn Telecom, whether it’s for setting up connectivity or communicating with the various services. When we have urgent needs or requests, we turn to Venn.

This is also why the Venn Telecom group stands out from other operators in the market.

As one example of speed, we had an urgent request for connectivity and Venn Telecom showed great responsiveness. To avoid a long installation time, Venn took the necessary steps to expedite the installation of our Starlink due to the urgency.

When it comes to flexibility, from the beginning of our collaboration we have had constructive discussions around specific technical modifications needed. These exchanges have allowed us to identify areas for improvement.

We can also quickly adapt to our needs, whether it’s for orders, invoice corrections, or technical support.

Venn’s focus is on customer satisfaction and its services meet our needs exactly.