The companies have developed the new system to support more advanced machine-to-machine protocols that use artificial intelligence and machine learning, said the companies.

This is possible because Nokia's industrial-grade wireless connectivity solution doesn't rely on wi-fi, which lacks the low latency and reliability required for supporting next generation IIoT applications. 

The Nokia and Symboticware solution is being used at the NORCAT Underground research centre in Sudbury, Ontario and will be available on the market in 2021, said the companies.

"The Nokia and Symboticware collaboration will help to move AI and machine learning forward, which are capabilities that will play a major role in the future of this industry," said Kirk Petroski, Symboticware founder and chairman of the board. "This is a solid development in the area of underground operations."

Shawn Sparling, vice president of enterprise and public sector at Nokia Canada, said that Symboticware's role in pioneering the patented store-and-forward technology underground underlined that it is "no stranger to solving challenges underground".

"This expertise, combined with our leadership in private wireless deployments, will bring best-of-breed data into the space of real-time mining operations. And it will let our customers benefit from immediate access to comprehensive information, even in the most challenging underground environments."