5G In Enterprises

Connectivity landscape had been changing and with that, network capacity is the baseline for future investment priorities. The 2020?& 2021 disruption has brought network behavioral changes, enterprises and workforces become distributed, connectivity has evolved from being one more IT function to a key strategic factor for business continuity and resiliency, influencing measurable changes in the usage of both wired and wireless networks.

In our current environment, landscape connectivity facts such as networks with a substantial increase of between 20% and 70% in the volume and duration of data calls, caused by network traffic loads shifted geographically from city centers to suburban areas, it is certainly a combination between fixed networks which took the most in this shift, and still mobile networks with spikes in traffic out of the traditional peak hours. Then, following this conduct, investments in 5G infrastructure will continue increase: ( Gartner latest forecast 2H-2021) “Worldwide 5G network infrastructure revenue is on pace to grow 39% to total $19.1 billion in 2021, up from $13.7 billion in 2020”.

A non-doubt fact: Connectivity is key. Just going back 10 years, we’ve seen the evolution of 4G: first LTE, then LTE Advanced, then, LTE Advanced Pro. The promise of 5G: higher throughput and lower latency offers the possibility for an increased workforce productivity, enterprises with the ability to support more users, more applications in multiple locations, in?multiple devices and no doubt The COVID-19 pandemic exponentially transformed bandwidth demand need based on an optimized and ultrafast broadband connectivity to support work-from-home and bandwidth-hungry applications, such as streaming video, online gaming and social media applications.

To keep pace with network bandwidth demand while getting high data rates more affordable, Edge computing—also known as multi-access edge computing (MEC) – based on distributed data centers (DDCs), is a network architecture that improve how applications interact with users via 5G or whichever high-speed transport is available, as well as enable new applications that were previously not possible: VR, content delivery, V2x and so on. The foundation to achieve this is the optical networks evolution in a complementing environment: electronics and passive infrastructure.

In terms of passive optical infrastructure, higher bit rate, higher wavelength operation, WDM transmission of any kind, in all standardized bands, BendBrightXS technology by Prysmian Group support the next generation Fiber optical networks. Then, transmission protocols which is a great combination between electronics and passive infrastructure continues progressing to higher data rates, have a direct impact for smart communities, data centers, local area network (LAN) campus, areas that will face the use of greater fiber counts, to keep the pace mentioned prior. FlexRibbon??by Prysmian Group becomes an essential aid for data centers, campus as well as very specific instances for connected buildings.

Based on functionality design supported with levels of data exigency, connected buildings have their own challenges; emerging applications are also expected to further increase bandwidth consumption,?requiring low latency and high performance connectivity that should therefore accommodate?future technology needs, then connectivity is a must to optimize all aspects in a building too. A good thinking could be around 5G and Wifi 6; as Wi-Fi 6 is replacing 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), 5G is replacing 4G. However, a key aspect to be aware is that both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G are technologies to coexist and support different use cases.

Then, delivering 5G indoors is a great challenge.?For a moment, let’s think about greenfield scenarios: high frequency outdoors signals simply can not go through the walls of buildings with the high speed and low latency applications in building those will need; then, let’s think about retrofit, based on legacy in-building architectures, stand alone one cells, all both could have performance limitations when it comes to 5G, or use 4G applications; trend here is showing a significance decrease (GSMA reports share by 2025, 4G connections will outnumber 5G connections).

So, it is all about access to applications that are feed by data and making the network even more relevant in our lives. That access is for users within enterprises organizations where demand on the network continues increasing exponentially.?Wi-Fi will continue being one of the alternatives for high dense capacity that are locally manage used to connect people, devices at high speed rates. Through the time, there had been countless advancements in WiFi standards to support new use cases, but to take advantage of technology enhancements such us 5G, IoT, HD Base-T video; Wi-Fi 6 requires hardware and equipment optimized for those applications. GenSPEED??10 MTP’?is designed to provide protection against (ANEXT) interference that is necessary to support higher bandwidth intensive applications; therefore, it is important to prepare your network for the new standards, so enterprises will be ready to gain all the benefits that Wi-Fi 6 offers. Another important challenge into building premises and campus remote locations is the need of power. If we look for the wireless network demand, campus applications such as security or data access through small cells, power distribution is need it. An innovative manner to solve this challenge is having the ability to bring power alongside fiber allowing networks to delivery low voltage power. GenSPEED? Fiber – Copper Hybrid cable delivers a high-reliable fiber optic signal for all IP devices in network, and support the ongoing demand for more network capacity in connected buildings environments.

Our goal in Prysmian Group is to help make the transition to 5G as seamless as possible with innovative thinking through our R&D Centres and technology solutions to ensure our customers benefit from an incomparable user experience whether in a connected building, a campus LAN, a data center, or along the cross-haul. We look forward to all the benefits 5G potentially guarantee and to supporting networks across the globe.