Private 5G Vs WiFi - Enterprise Use Cases Profiling

The article is my point of views on use cases applicable for private 5G and WiFi network. The reader will learn or validate that some use cases are possible only on private 5G solution, some may not need at all, and some use cases are in between that depend on the users experience expectation.

A few of the enterprises know what use cases will increase production, improve resource utilization, reduce failure, increase their employee working experience to name a few whereas others are still exploring. Moreover, the use case requirements may decide whether WiFi is good enough or 5G is a real need. For example, if an enterprise wants to make its campus smart to a certain extent so that they can connect lights, HVAC, windows, doors, desks, and other building resources for better utilization or visibility or energy saving, it’s possible to accomplish these features on WiFi networks. There is less motivation for the enterprises to look beyond private 5G solution.

The use cases that require wider indoor/outdoor coverage, low latency, or high reliability, where endpoints mobile on land or air, that involve thousands of endpoints in small area, or that belongs to the critical mission category are the ones where enterprise will see the value of ownership far exceeding cost of ownership. Moreover, the enterprises who are sensitive to reliability, security, or employees experience while consuming these use cases will be more motivated to adopt a private 5G solution. There are some enterprises who want to reduce the carbon footprint or there are difficulties in wiring such as mines or unconventional walls or ceiling.

Mobility Use Cases: Private 5G solution is far superior to WiFi solution for the use cases in which user equipment need to handover from one access point to another without disrupting the session. Drone and AGV based use cases are few examples that need real time decision making while on the move and depend on external application for making such decisions.

Real Time Remote xxx: ?Any remote operation that is life, security, or cost sensitive and involve multiple devices to collaborate and AI application to communicate these devices in real time require Private 5G solution. Remote minor level surgery and remote airport security check-in are some of such examples. ???

Fast Moving Scanning Scenarios: For detecting a failure in a production environment or helping an end device making decision in a fast yet deterministic timeframe, then private 5G solution is needed. For example, detecting bottling problem and automatically resolving those and robot moving an object from production bench for packaging are few of such use cases.

It may be perceived that number of Industry 4.0 use cases that require private 5G solution may be less but the value of such use cases in security, dollars, and experience is not just justifiable in adopting private 5G solution but also motivate enterprises to add non-latency or less-throughput sensitive use cases on private 5G solution.