NTT Data Scales Private 5G Across 50 Cargill Sites

Cargill is modernising manufacturing and processing operations through the deployment of NTT DATA’s private 5G network across 50 global sites.

The rollout spans large-scale agricultural processing plants and food manufacturing facilities, meaning it places telecoms infrastructure at the centre of the company’s digital programme.

This project underlines how private 5G is moving from pilot phase to scaled production environments for operators and enterprise network providers. 

Cargill requires secure and scalable connectivity that can be deployed rapidly in sites where traditional wired or WiFi networks prove impractical. NTT DATA’s private 5G platform provides dedicated spectrum, controlled coverage and consistent performance across complex industrial footprints.

Most deployments will be in the US, but live sites in Europe and further regions are under consideration. There are also additional facilities scheduled for completion throughout 2026 as Cargill expands its connected workplace strategy and plans to deploy robotics in its sites.

Private 5G for the enterprise

Private 5G networks are different to public mobile services as they are built for a single organisation, meaning they offer isolated capacity and enhanced security. In industrial settings with heavy machinery and wide outdoor areas, predictable low-latency connectivity is a crucial factor in operational efficiency.

As Cargill rolls out SAP enterprise resource planning across facilities, the private 5G layer supports frontline staff using smartphones and ruggedised tablets.

The network also supports automation and robotics, two areas that depend on continuous, low-latency communication between machines and control systems.

These use cases demonstrate how 5G features including network slicing and edge integration translate into measurable operational outcomes.

With private 5G acting as a foundation layer for multiple digital initiative, the partnership reflects a broader enterprise trend as connectivity becomes embedded within application modernisation and automation.

Robert Greiner, Director Platform Engineering for Customer, Commercial & Business Operations Digital Technology at Cargill, frames the initiative in strategic terms.

He says: "Our work with NTT DATA is a true partnership, allowing us to confidently advance our global digital transformation strategy.

“Private 5G gives us a secure, scalable foundation to support connected workers, robotics and edge AI use cases across our operations.”

Robotics and edge AI in live plants

Private 5G also enables advanced robotics and physical AI deployments across operational environments. For example, Cargill has deployed Spot the Dog at a facility in Amsterdam, which is an AI-powered robot designed to enhance safety and operational efficiency.

The robot automates visual inspections and monitors for hazards such as equipment overheating, which operates in areas that are hazardous or hard for people to reach. These type of operations rely on resilient wireless coverage to transmit high-definition video and telemetry data in real time.

This deployment shows how there is a growing link between radio access infrastructure and edge computing. Processing can occur close to the source of data, which reduces backhaul load while maintaining responsiveness for safety-critical tasks.

Telecoms' capabilities now extend beyond bandwidth provision into integrated solutions combining radio, core, edge and application services.

Shahid Ahmed, Global Head of Edge Services, NTT DATA, Inc., positions connectivity as a prerequisite for industrial AI.

He comments: “As manufacturing organizations expand the use of physical AI and intelligent automation, reliable and secure connectivity becomes foundational to digital transformation.

“Cargill is demonstrating how Private 5G can bring technology and operations together in environments where traditional networks fall short, while improving safety, agility and performance.”

From pilot to scaled deployment

NTT DATA introduced its enterprise private 5G platform in 2021. The Cargill programme demonstrates how this early scale deployment has now evolved into multi-site deployment across continents.

For the telecoms sector, these integrations are practical. Industrial customers require tailored coverage planning, spectrum management, device certification and ongoing lifecycle support.

Enterprise systems such as SAP also reinforce the role of telecoms providers as strategic partners rather than connectivity utilities.

With 50 sites live and more planned, Cargill’s rollout offers a reference point for how private 5G operates at scale in manufacturing. It illustrates how enterprise demand is reshaping telecom portfolios around dedicated networks, ultimately changing the game for connectivity at sites.