5G in industry

(by Eline te Velde)

5G has been a much-discussed topic in recent years and has not always been presented positively. For example, the political problems and health risks are the topics of conversation. Apart from the negative publicity, the consumer will mainly experience advantages, but the real difference 5G will make within the industry.

The current 4G network and WiFi connections already offer companies a lot of possibilities to improve connectivity and connect devices and machines. However, these devices often experience problems with overloaded networks and malfunctions. The 5G network offers companies the possibility to create their own private network. This not only ensures a more reliable connection, but also provides more security. The latter is of course very important in a time of digital threats. In addition, 5G offers the possibility to connect millions of devices to each other, where this is only possible with a few hundred devices with the current 4G or WiFi connection.

Perhaps the most important argument for 5G is the speed. 5G has an ultra-fast response time, which is also called 'low latency'. For consumers, the difference between 4G and 5G may not be very big. For most households, a 4G network or WiFi connection is sufficient. In industry, however, the speed of the 5G network will enable a number of new applications. This difference in speed is essential for self-driving cars, for example. 5G can also make a difference in applications where safety plays a major role, such as aircraft maintenance. The enormous response speed makes the 5G network a lot more reliable.

The benefits of the 5G network will play an important role in the development of the Internet of Things. Due to the enormous increase in bandwidth, 5G makes it possible to get more devices online and offers a faster and more reliable connection. A number of companies have already proven that 5G and IoT can make a big difference. For example, the port of Rotterdam uses sensors for predictive maintenanceBased on the data, future failures can be predicted and maintenance can be carried out without human intervention.

However, it may take years before the Netherlands has nationwide 5G coverage. This is mainly due to financing. Telecom companies will have to invest a huge amount of money to roll out the 5G network, and the question is whether the industry should contribute to this. In any case, good cooperation will have to be established between telecom providers and industry in order to optimally benefit from these new possibilities. Are you curious about what 5G could mean for you?