5G to Impact Digital Manufacturers Positively

The requirement of 5G in the manufacturing sector is to improve processes, increase profitability and deliver efficiencies via connectivity. Major talks are going around installation and benefits of IoT which is delivered through private and carrier-owned networks. Installing 5G at the manufacturing units provides – a more granular look at data, less latency and even support a higher number of IoT devices. Especially in the companies and warehouses that have deployed robotics or have a high-precision assembly line, 5G is expected to play in crucial role in improving efficiencies.

For digital manufacturers, 5G is going to act as a catalyst to support industrial IoT devices. Since 5G will help reduce network latency and even data transfer delay significantly, manufacturers can then use the connected equipment and sensors to automate processes and increase efficiency as employees oversee and manage the technology.

Experts also suggest that manufacturers looking into connected manufacturing must consider private networks as an option to deploy connected devices in their factories. Corporations and manufacturers can leverage mid-band spectrum for their network using private networks, as they are not deployed through carriers. This allows them to enable digital manufacturing by using the CBRS 3.5GHz mid-band spectrum bands in a closed and secure network.

While 5G sounds something that will only boost the manufacturing units, but it comes with its challenges. The biggest one - siting and approvals.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to Facilitate America's Superiority in 5G Technology (the 5G FAST Plan), but, much work remains. For outdoor deployment, 5G requires hyper-densification of small cells and the providers need to move fast and use much more efficient ways to deploy these networks for coverage and capacity.

The next step that providers need to do is to build out the fiber and mobile network infrastructure to bring 5G service to the commons. Some introductory 5G networks are seen leveraging the existing 4G LTE core, but deploying 5G is not as simple as upgrading the 4G. High bandwidth, low latency, high speed, and reliable 5G connectivity require a lot more network densification that is delivered by macro networks and small cells.

Connectivity is now being considered as the forth utility in a building which requires to build the networks from within. It needs to be as secure, powerful and strong as the walls of the buildings.