Now, how can enterprises fully reap the benefits of private 5G networks?

Over the next decade, 5G is expected to become one of the most widely adopted technologies by enterprises, providing the foundation for a truly connected experience.

More than ever, people want to be able to effortlessly access their data wherever and whenever they need it, both in their personal lives and at work. Given this, coupled with the now widely accepted trend of hybrid working, and with many organizations exploring the possibilities offered by cloud transformation, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT), the need for high-quality, always-on connectivity has never been higher.

5G private networks provide the answer to this need and will transform multiple industries, including manufacturing, utilities, retail, public transportation and healthcare, by giving employees the tools they need whether they are at home, in the field or on the move. This will in turn drive innovation in customer service, technology and the way we collate and analyze critical business data.

At first glance, 5G may seem like a simple upgrade to 4G, offering greater bandwidth, improved coverage, and minimal latency. While this is true, its potential benefits extend far beyond that. Ultimately, while 4G was a brilliant change for consumers, it’s businesses that will benefit the most from 5G. And while some argue that we’re still some way off from truly experiencing these benefits, 5G’s early successes are already painting a different picture.

The state of 5G: Why private networks are key here and now

Widespread implementation of public 5G is still maturing, and perhaps won’t do so for some time. However, one area that is developing more rapidly is private 5G. Ofcom recently released a small amount of spectrum for these private networks in the UK, and they were quickly trialed by many businesses. Crucially, 5G supports massive connections to a single cell from multiple locations.

These private networks are ideal for connecting geographically dispersed sites, providing consistent performance for business-critical applications. For example, most energy companies manage large substations, power plants, and solar and wind farms. Such sites are often highly dispersed, but still require reliable, secure, and private connectivity - the kind that private 5G networks provide.

Why 5G makes us live in the phrase "data is king"

Deploying 5G across these vast areas also means that organizations don’t need expensive cabling, which requires a lot of manpower to install. As a result, 5G private networks are often more cost-effective, cheaper, faster to install, easier to set up, and – most importantly – more reliable and secure. This not only ensures that devices and employees can access critical applications from wherever they are running, but also provides the functionality and performance required for resource-intensive big data and IoT projects.

With employees connecting remotely across multiple locations, leveraging a variety of software-defined solutions and IoT devices, the amount of data generated by organizations every day continues to increase - a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Private 5G networks allow this data to be securely collected, stored and analyzed, providing a clear picture of the entire ecosystem and delivering insights that lead to sustainable long-term growth.

This could include manufacturers who can monitor the performance of IoT devices across a network of sites, healthcare organizations that capture and centralize data as it is created to enhance patient outcomes, or retailers that track customer behavior during visits to their sites to provide customized marketing and better service delivery. With a dedicated 5G network as the foundation, and the support of the right technology partners, all of these possibilities (and more) become not only possible, but highly achievable.

Find a partner who can support your own 5G journey

Although private 5G networks are easier to implement, the process requires certified professional engineers who can work in challenging or remote environments and can provide hands-on advice on system integration, ensuring the new network has enough room to expand and grow.

When looking for the right partner, enterprises should not only look for partners with in-house network capabilities, but also partners that can underpin and support the overall 5G ecosystem, enabling the delivery of these vital connected experiences. This should be supported by specific industry knowledge, ensuring that the designated project team understands their specific requirements in terms of compliance, security and performance, and that these requirements are inherent in the solution design.

By working with tech-savvy partners to help implement and support this complete ecosystem, organizations will be better positioned to take advantage of all the current and future benefits of 5G, leading us into the next era of network modernization.