Applications: The Heart of Digital Transformation

Welcome back to the fourth section of our blog series looking at Wireless Connectivity and Digital Transformation.?In the last blog we talked about 5G technology - what it is and how best to leverage new capabilities to make a difference for your organization.?In this blog we focus on applications.

Applications: The Heart of Digital Transformation

Use-case examples and deployment experiences abound. However, every individual client has unique needs.?To combine 5G connectivity with applications that can drive digital transformation for a specific organization, business executives and their IT colleagues must work closely with their technology provider. In fact, lack of top-down engagement is the single greatest reason why projects stall, even when the possible benefits are compelling.

In this post, I want to bring 5G applications to life and share where 4G/5G wireless connectivity has made a significant impact for companies that have deployed it.

Enabling 5G Private Networks with CBRS

For simplicity, I will focus on CBRS.?As I mentioned in previous posts, CBRS is a cellular 4G/5G system leveraging a private core network instead of connecting to AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile.?The network provides connectivity for enterprise applications using 150 MHz of spectrum in the 3.5GHz frequency range.?From a capacity perspective, CBRS can provide up to 2.4 Gbps of secure capacity.

Current CBRS Deployment Rationale:

We see companies deploying 4G/5G CBRS technologies for three main reasons:

1. To move mission-critical applications off of Wi-Fi and onto a system with greater reliability, security and throughput
2. To drive cost efficiencies and increase flexibility by replacing traditional landline connectivity
3. To have greater control over their data -- and be able to monetize the data using advanced data analytics platforms

Vertical-Specific Private Network Applications:

I do believe that companies are only limited by the imagination of their people.?Fifteen years ago, could we have predicted the current reliance on Google maps for transportation or the dominance and growth of Netflix and Prime Video in entertainment??Enhanced reality and location-based services will inspire similar future surprises.

We see many interesting and innovative vertical-specific applications that leverage CBRS and 5G wireless technology. Examples include:

Manufacturing – A variety of manufacturers are leveraging 5G CBRS systems to fuel autonomous robots on the manufacturing floor.?They also are leveraging CBRS to increase flexibility on the manufacturing floor by securely untethering devices from the manufacturing line.

Sports and Entertainment – Most recently, applications in this vertical are safely getting fans back into stadiums and arenas using touchless experiences.?They are offering fans everything from wireless ticketing and in-seat dining to real-time headset/phone displays.?They are changing operations, too; enhanced data analytics are powering customized fan experiences.?There is a hint of innovations like automated strike zones and advanced player-coach communications.

Commercial Real Estate – Applications in this vertical are safely getting employees back into the workplace and enhancing the workplace experience.?Wireless applications range from touchless entry and health monitoring to autonomous cleaning.?Enhanced connectivity is especially key to support changing employee habits.?As an example, workers continue to use an increased amount of video streaming to support continued calls via Microsoft Teams and other virtual conferencing tools.?This vertical also is leveraging wireless building automation systems to reduce carbon emissions and HVAC costs by tracking peoples’ movement throughout buildings.

Transportation - Transportation companies are betting big on IoT. In railroad companies, 4G/5G systems provide the required connectivity for rail car sensors that track location, speed, internal temperature, door locks, etc.

Education – Many United States cities have leveraged CBRS systems to solve the digital divide by providing the ability to stream video and conduct zoom calls from home for remote learning.

Healthcare – CBRS-enabled applications are a great fit for healthcare’s high device connectivity and security requirements.?Several key use cases are making a significant impact in this vertical:

• ?Location-Based Services – leveraged both to enhance the utilization of expensive assets and provide wayfinding applications that navigate patients through large, complex hospital buildings.
• Wireless Device Connectivity – leveraged to support physician tablets, nurse call systems, and patient handsets and tablets.
• Occupancy Systems – leveraged to drive patient room efficiencies, while also enhancing personalized environmental control.

Federal Government – We see a variety of applications leveraged here where 5G is being used to transform everything from warehouses to training facilities.?Applications range from automated picking and autonomous vehicles to enhanced reality applications for training exercises and location-based services for asset tracking.

Utilities – Many utility companies are leveraging CBRS to proactively sense and replace failing equipment.??They are leveraging drones to inspect power lines and providing their maintenance teams with CBRS-based push-to-talk handsets to improve communication.

Is CBRS Gaining Momentum?

People often ask me if CBRS is growing.?My answer is yes; according to the CBRS Alliance, there are now over 140K CBRS nodes deployed in the United States, and the industry is expected to grow to $8B by 2025.?

They then ask me for the reason behind the growth. CBRS is growing for a variety of reasons:

1. CBRS Understanding:?A good portion of the market is now educated on CBRS and is capable of identifying compelling use cases.
2. Successful Deployments:?The market has evidence of successful deployments, so companies are no longer deploying CBRS while worrying about “bleeding-edge effects.”
3. Carrier Support:?The Carriers, Verizon in particular, are moving forward with CBRS deployments as a way to enhance network capacity.?
4. CBRS-Enabled Devices: The number of CBRS-enabled devices continues to increase.?Growing numbers of laptops, tablets, smartphones, hotspots and gateways can connect just about any IP device to a CBRS network.

Note: Carrier roaming continues to struggle a bit. I have seen several pilots where systems are connected to the carrier networks via roaming on CBRS.?However, this does not appear to have yet gone mainstream. Once it does, this also will contribute to CBRS growth.

Thanks for joining in this discussion around wireless applications and how they can be at the heart of driving digital transformation.?Please join us for the next and final blog that focuses on four considerations an organization should look at to best build an infrastructure that can evolve over time to maximize digital transformation efforts.

About the Author:

Chris brings 25 years of sales, marketing, and new business development experience to the Connectivity Wireless team. As a senior executive working in the telecom, computer and technology industries, he contributes to the transformation of organizations through innovative enterprise-wide initiatives that build brand value and generate sustainable, profitable growth. As Chief Revenue Officer (Venues), Chris manages the business development efforts for Connectivity’s managed services business. Prior to Connectivity Wireless, Chris held multiple leadership positions at JMA Wireless, Corning, Sprint and AT&T.

Chris can be reached at 703 554 4502 and/or [email protected] if you have any questions.