technologyreseller.co.uk 07 OPINION Dave Stonehouse properly offers many other benefits… q Speed This is the one everyone thinks of first. Quite simply, a 5G network allows gigabit speeds for data transfer, and this increased speed comes with incredibly low latency – sub 5 milliseconds. This guaranteed speed of connection gives users access to live data from across their private network faster than ever before, making it ideal for datasensitive applications across telemetrydependent environments. In an industrial or manufacturing setting, for example, it allows an operations team to monitor full process automation and interface into control and SCADA management solutions, enabling them to see anomalies and act on this information to avoid more serious issues such as breakdowns or even major accidents. w Connectivity Along with the speed advantage, guaranteed connectivity and latency enable control and commands to be deployed reliably. Connectivity can be deployed without cables into difficult to access or remote areas across sites and can be utilised to connect all manner of telemetry, sensors, remote vehicle/ handheld devices and a whole range of IOT devices. This supports process automation requirements within manufacturing and industrial environments, as well as in distribution and warehousing for conveyors, picking, grid management and control in marshalling yards. e Flexibility Closely linked to 5G’s speed advantage are the flexibility and manoeuvrability of Private Wireless 5G networks. In the past, businesses would need to use wired local area networks (LANs) to unlock high-speed connections. Equipment was hardwired in place and any change to the layout would usually require new cabling and infrastructure to be installed onsite. With a Private Wireless 5G network, all devices connect wirelessly using SIM Cards, giving a manufacturing business, for example, the ability to adapt their environment far more quickly. If a production line is updated, there is no need to invest further in the building’s infrastructure. In addition, both Apple and Android systems have now been configured to allow connections to Private Wireless 5G Networks, which means there’s no requirement for new or specific devices. r Scale One of the most common complaints about normal WiFi networks are blackspots where no signal can reach. This The power of the Internet of Things (IoT) to increase productivity and drive growth has been discussed for years. However, connectivity challenges mean that to date only a few organisations have enjoyed its potential benefits. That’s all about to change with the increased availability of 5G connectivity, claims Dave Stonehouse, Technical Director at NG Bailey IT Services. The digital connectivity business, part of the UK’s largest independent engineering and services company, has been working with Nokia and Infinigate, an EMEA distributor specialising in cybersecurity, secure networks and secure cloud, to accelerate the adoption and usage of 5G technology within key industries. This includes the deployment of 5G private wireless network solutions, including Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC), that offer game-changing opportunities for automation and safer, more efficient operations in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics and ports. Infinigate will partner with NG Bailey to provide logistical support, expert consultancy and specialist services for the seamless delivery of Nokia solutions to customers. To create Private Wireless networks, we use the 5G part of the electromagnetic spectrum. This is the same part utilised by major Telco providers for their public 5G mobile services. One of the interesting things about the 5G spectrum is that it can be ‘sliced’ into many thin layers, allowing multiple operators to co-exist across the same postcode, each transmitting on their licensed slice of the spectrum. This technology needs to be carefully controlled as there are significant penalties for interfering in other network operators’ spaces. To avoid hefty fines, correct configuration of the network transmission equipment is key. Doing it 5G: the key to unlocking untapped potential Dave Stonehouse explains how NG Bailey and Infinigate are helping businesses transform their operations by collaborating on the deployment of Private Wireless 5G networks Continued...
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