5G brings numerous benefits to applications that rely on mobile networks. Read to see what enterprise IoT can expect from 5G in 2023.
The Internet of Things has made tremendous strides in recent years. What started as a futuristic concept is now a mainstream technology, with new connected devices coming into play daily.
However, despite IoT's praiseworthy progress, bandwidth has always been a limiting factor. On the one hand, cellular networks have a broad reach but limited data capacity. And on the other hand, while WI-FI offers up reliable bandwidth, it can be challenging to secure, and its range is restricted.
Fortunately, the newest generation of mobile wireless networks, 5G, brings a better solution for enterprise IoT. As a much-needed upgrade to 4G and 3G, 5G offers three primary improvements.
A much faster and more reliable cellular connection, providing up to 100 times the speed of 4G and dramatically reducing latency.
Support for a much larger number of devices than before, allowing for more complex and reliable IoT solutions. According to 3GPP specifications, 5G's "Massive IoT" standard can support up to 1 million devices for every 1 square kilometer (0.38 square miles). In comparison, 4G supports 60,680 devices at the same coverage size.
More robust security due to 256-bit encryption, a substantial improvement on 4G's 128-bit standard.
In 2023, 5G networks are expected to be widely available and adopted in digital systems and applications worldwide. Consequently, businesses utilizing enterprise IoT solutions will reap the benefits of 5G's fast speeds and low latency, resulting in enhanced performance and better customer experience.
If IoT is a significant enabler for your business, you should look forward to the potential opportunities that 5G networks will bring in 2023. Read on for a deeper look at what 5G could mean for enterprise IoT solutions.
What is Enterprise IoT?
Enterprise IoT is a stack of IoT and related devices and technologies that interact with each other to connect different parts of a business.
The devices and technologies used in an enterprise IoT setup include sensor nodes, gateways, industrial controllers, embedded systems, edge computing components, and cloud computing systems. All these components are linked together to collect, transmit, and analyze data in real-time.
The primary aim of enterprise IoT is to help businesses make informed decisions and optimize their operations. This could involve using data from sensors in the field to monitor and control operations or analytics to gain insight into customer behavior.
The healthcare industry is an excellent example of where enterprise IoT can be used to its fullest potential. By remotely monitoring patient vitals in real-time and easily sharing patient information with other medical professionals, hospitals can achieve a more accurate diagnosis for patients on the spot, leading to faster treatment and better health outcomes.
What should Enterprise IoT expect from 5G in 2023?
As 5G networks are rolled out rapidly across the globe, their influence is projected to be substantial in the IoT space. At this time of transition, enterprises must understand what to expect from 5G to capitalize on its capabilities. Now is the ideal time to start planning for the future to stay ahead of the competition.
With this in mind, below are four key expectations of 5G's potential impact on enterprise IoT in 2023.
1. Improved data processing speeds
For any IoT application to achieve commercial success, its performance must be top-notch. This is especially true for applications such as predictive maintenance, which requires real-time stream data analysis.
High data speeds and low latency are cornerstones of excellent performance, and 5G networks are expected to deliver these requirements in spades. In the right conditions, 5G speeds can reach 20 Gigabits per second, which is more than 100 times faster than 4G. Furthermore, 5G's latency is around one millisecond, a sharp reduction from 4G's typical latency of 50 milliseconds.
For enterprise IoT, increased speeds and lower latency translate to faster data processing and better performance. As a result, businesses using enterprise IoT solutions will benefit from more efficient operations and timely decision-making.
2. Increased network reliability
One of the biggest challenges associated with IoT networks is network reliability. Many IoT devices rely on Wi-Fi connections prone to frequent drops and outages. The good news is these network challenges will be a thing of the past with more reliable 5G technologies.
For instance, beamforming technology available on 5G networks dramatically improves signal strength, reducing the chances of network outages. Additionally, advanced technologies such as Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) can increase coverage in large areas with high device density.
This improved network reliability will be a massive boon for enterprise IoT, as businesses can ensure that their critical functions remain uninterrupted. Operations with little tolerance for downtime and delays, such as manufacturing and logistics, will benefit profoundly from the enhanced reliability of 5G networks.
3. More scalability
Most IoT implementations start small and expand over time. For example, an initial deployment of a few temperature sensors in a warehouse can expand to include thousands of connected devices, all sending and receiving data. Businesses need reliable networks with the capacity for rapid expansion to achieve this level of scalability.
5G technology will open up new opportunities for scalability as it provides more efficient use of network resources. With the enhanced speed and reliability of 5G networks, businesses can quickly expand their IoT solutions without sacrificing performance. This scalability will be especially useful for companies anticipating rapid growth in their use of enterprise IoT solutions.
4. Improved security
Security is critical to any IoT system, as hackers can cause havoc with access to compromised networks. Currently, 4G and Wi-Fi networks are subject to various cyber-attacks, making them vulnerable to malicious activities.
5G has been touted as a game changer for security, as its architecture allows for improved authentication and authorization processes. 5G networks utilize end-to-end encryption, identity management, and secure user authentication features that make them much more secure than their predecessors.
5G also provides improved network segmentation capabilities, allowing businesses to protect sensitive data better. This enhanced security will give companies more confidence when deploying enterprise IoT applications throughout the year and beyond.
What is the future of 5G and enterprise IoT?
Technology's immense potential has transformed businesses worldwide, from manufacturing and retail to telecommunications. Thanks to enterprise IoT initiatives, organizations across all sectors can gain valuable insights to grow their business.
As a faster, more reliable, scalable, and secure mobile network technology, 5G enables businesses to take their IoT solutions to the next level. The future looks promising for enterprise IoT as more applications and use cases for 5G technology take the stage in 2023.
With the right strategy and resources, you can leverage 5G-enabled enterprise IoT solutions to transform your business and stay ahead of the competition. Check out IoT2Market for some 5G-capable solutions to get started.
