5G Considerations to Accelerate IoT

Speed and better latencies are synonymous with 5G, but the real game changer just might be its potential impact on IoT. 

IoT devices for commercial, industrial, enterprise and individual use come together on the internet cloud. The devices are able to interact intelligently with each other as well as the cloud and can make macro decisions as well as micro decisions on the edge.

According to TechRepublic’s CIO Jury, 50 percent of panelists say 5G will speed adoption of IoT.[1] At 10ms latency, 5G is 10 times faster than its predecessor, at the upper end of home Wi-Fi networks, and on par with most wired connections. 5G has the ability to support one million devices in one square kilometer with speeds of up to 20 Gbps and it offers the first viable alternative to wired connections, with the ease of use and deployment of a wireless network.[2]

While speed, lower latency and low power are indisputable benefits, skeptics are quick to point out that the limited availability of and the high costs associated with 5G pose significant obstacles to IoT acceleration and adoption. Furthermore, some question whether the 5G’s infrastructure can ensure user security, service access and supply chain integrity.[3]

All valid points, but should these be barriers to implementation?

We are already seeing progress with several industries which have enormous commercialization potential, including industrial and manufacturing, smart buildings and smart cities, health care, and automotive. We believe companies can start putting plans in place now to be fully prepared when this new evolution really takes off. 

Below are some of the key considerations and questions that need to be asked before embarking on your 5G IoT deployment:

·     Technology/Security: How can you protect IoT devices and networks from threats of cyberattacks? How do you store and allow customers access to their data? Can you detect and mitigate threats in conjunction with your ecosystem partners and law enforcement agencies? How should devices and networks be tested for new forms of security attacks?

·     Operating Model: What role do you believe your enterprise should play in the value chain? What role do investors believe you should play? Do you have the capabilities in place and the operating model to support your role?

·     Partner Model: How are you engaging with your partner ecosystem? How do you know if you have the right partners? Can you move fast to share data/resources with partners to execute on a shared goal? Do the legal/IP protections you have in place enable or hinder this model? Do your internal/external incentives enable you to grow beyond the PoC stage of development?

·     Business Model: How will your product mix change as 5G & Wi-Fi 6 become more prolific? How will the need for chipsets change? How will electronic connectors develop? Often the answers to these questions are not much further than the factories you operate to produce the products demanded, in a large part, by legacy technology (4G & Wi-Fi 5).

The opportunities could be endless as the 5G rollout continues. What lessons have you learned and which IoT applications do you expect to succeed as a result of 5G?  

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[1] https://www.zdnet.com/article/cio-jury-50-of-panelists-say-5g-will-speed-adoption-of-iot/

[2] https://www.zdnet.com/article/5g-what-it-means-for-iot-free-pdf/

[3] https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/communications-media/accelerating-5g-future-business