Private 5G Networks: Shaping the Future of the Connected Enterprises

The world is being taken over by 5G. Unprecedented speeds, increased capacity, minimal latency, and a slew of other firsts mark the arrival of the 5G era. For enterprises to manage a hybrid workforce, regional operations, complex supply chains, and industrial facilities, robust and resilient network connectivity is essential. Every day, the number of devices connected to the internet is on the rise. International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasts 41.6 billion IoT devices in 2025 capable of generating 79.4 zettabytes (ZB) of data. High-quality, faster network technologies are necessary to fulfill this demand, and 5G technology can address that need.

Private 5G networks are becoming increasingly popular in connected enterprises, offering several benefits over traditional networks. These benefits include increased security, faster speeds, and lower latency, allowing for more efficient and reliable communication between devices and simplified management due to the software-defined devices. Private 5G networks offer low-latency connectivity, enabling real-time control and monitoring of industrial devices and machines, such as predictive maintenance, quality control, remote control, and industrial equipment maintenance. They provide high bandwidth, making it possible to implement connected ecosystems that transmit large amounts of data and connect them to cloud-hosted applications performing actions such as video analytics and machine learning. Private 5G networks provide secure connectivity, which is critical for IIoT applications, which often involve sensitive data, such as production data and intellectual property. They offer the ability to scale up and connect many devices and machines across a factory or industrial site.

A future of growth and limitless use cases

Technological advances such as 5G, changing every aspect of our modern lives and businesses, have significantly aided IoT. This transition brings in many new applications, such as smart manufacturing and utilities, significantly improved mining operations, and improved supply chain and logistics management.

1. A more efficient, productive, and secure Manufacturing environment

Smart manufacturing with IoT and 5G technology helps to improve efficiency, increase productivity, and reduce the wastage of resources in the manufacturing process.

Some key use cases include:

• Remote monitoring and predictive maintenance: To monitor and control machinery and predict incidents, there is a need for maintenance, reducing downtime and increasing efficiency
• Quality control: To monitor production processes in real-time, ensuring consistent quality of products and reducing the need for manual inspection
• Supply chain visibility: To track goods and equipment in real-time, improving supply chain visibility and reducing the risk of lost or damaged goods

2. Real-time visibility into critical infrastructure and data-driven decisions for modern Utilities

The utility industry has a large and dispersed infrastructure, making providing reliable connectivity to all its assets challenging. Hence, it requires robust and reliable networks such as private LTE or 5G networks to transmit and analyze continuous data streams.

The integration of 5G and IoT technology in the utilities industry is essential for several use cases, including:

• Smart grid: To enable a smart grid to monitor and manage energy production, transmission, distribution, and consumption in real time, improving efficiency and reliability
• Real-time energy management: To monitor and optimize energy consumption in real-time while reducing energy waste and costs
• Enhanced cybersecurity: 5G networks offer improved security features compared to previous generations of wireless networks, reducing the risk of cyber-attacks and ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive information

 3. Pervasive, consistent, and high-performance connectivity to digitize Mining operations

Private wireless networks, including 5G, are critical enablers for the digitization of the mining industry, providing the necessary connectivity to support Industry 4.0 solutions and enable digital applications that can drive significant improvements in efficiency, safety, productivity, and sustainability.

• Remote control and monitoring: Secure and reliable connectivity for remote monitoring and control of mining equipment, reducing the need for on-site personnel and improving worker safety
• Enhanced safety: Monitor environmental conditions and worker safety, allowing proactive and timely interventions to ensure a safe working environment
• Increased productivity: Real-time monitoring and control can increase productivity by reducing downtime and optimizing resource utilization

4. Revolutionizing Healthcare by improving patient outcomes and overall quality of care

The healthcare sector can leverage 5G to enhance the speed and bandwidth of their network infrastructure, leading to improved connectivity for video-based telemedicine solutions, proactive critical care facilitated by real-time feedback from IoMT-based connected medical devices, and comprehensive analysis of patient data. These advancements can ultimately result in better diagnoses and critical care for the broader population.

• Remote patient monitoring: Remotely monitor patients in real-time using smart wearables and sensors, enabling early detection of health problems and allowing for prompt interventions, reducing hospitalization rates, and improving patient outcomes
• Medical device connectivity: Seamless connectivity between medical devices allows for fast, efficient, and accurate data exchange with IIoT applications hosted on the cloud. For example, a patient's blood glucose monitor could transmit data to their insulin pump in real-time, allowing for automatic adjustments in insulin dosage
• Improved emergency response: Faster response times for emergency services allow for more effective and timely treatment in critical situations

5. Transforming Education and University Campuses to enable connected learning environments, enhancing safety and efficiency

To better cater to the evolving requirements of educational institutions, rapidly digitizing their operations to address the various challenges and needs of students, academic staff, and researchers.

• Smart campus infrastructure: To monitor and manage campus infrastructure, such as lighting, HVAC, and energy consumption. By collecting and analyzing data, administrators can optimize the campus environment for comfort and efficiency, leading to cost savings and sustainability
• Immersive learning with AR/VR: To create personalized and interactive learning environments, such as virtual field trips and lab simulations, enhancing student engagement and knowledge retention
• Campus security: To monitor campus safety and security. For instance, IoT devices can detect and respond to incidents such as gunshots, fires, and hazardous materials. Additionally, 5G-enabled cameras can provide real-time video feeds to campus security, enabling quick response times

The 5G Ecosystem – collaborating with the right partners!

The varied applications and use cases discussed above are typically mission or life-critical, increasing demand on the availability and reliability of communication networks. Private wireless networks need specifications tailored to meet the unique needs of each IoT use case and the industry supporting it. That requires a closer dialogue among enterprises, domain expert consultants, network solution providers, solution integrators, and other partners.

5G networks and IoT devices must be integrated with existing systems and infrastructure, and partners must work together to ensure seamless security, compatibility, and interoperability. Strong partnerships help to ensure the development of compatible and interoperable technologies and to address challenges such as network coverage, data privacy, and security. Implementing 5G and IoT will bring many benefits, including improved connectivity, enhanced automation capabilities, and increased efficiency. Still, considering all stakeholders' needs and concerns, these technologies must be implemented.

Clients keen on deploying private wireless networks are not primarily looking for communications technology; they seek solutions to a business problem or opportunity. They prefer a comprehensive solution with the details left to more knowledgeable domain experts. This requires a team of vendors working collaboratively to provide best-in-class connectivity and digitalization platforms, installation and deployment services, scene analytics, and other value-added services the enterprises seek today.

Private 5G Services by Microland

Microland is an industry leader in Digital Networks, Industrial IoT, Cloud & DC, Digital workplaces, Cybersecurity, and Service Management. Together with our technology partners, we drive business value for our customers.

Microland private 5G services assist clients in identifying, designing, deploying, and managing enterprise edge connectivity solutions. We collaborate closely with the enterprise technology teams of our clients to study enterprise architecture and thoroughly evaluate all viable technology options. Microland, as an ecosystem integrator, would bring together the necessary mix of technical talent to provide wireless networks that match business needs and create value in a connected economy.

Microland is a private 5G solution integrator with the skills and expertise to consult, design, develop, and run private 5G solutions in collaboration with an ecosystem of communication service providers, solution providers, and hardware partners. As an end-to-end network services provider, we offer a broad range of wireless solutions and services based on networking technologies such as SD-WAN, SD-LAN, NFV, Wireless Backhaul, SASE, Network-as-a-Service, and SDDC, allowing for the streamlined deployment and administration of private 5G networks.