The future of 5G and Wi-Fi combine to create an extraordinarily powerful enterprise network.

While the hype in 2023 has generally been about generative AI, a key enabler for the technology to work best is the strength of its network.

In their own right, Wi-Fi and 5G are amazing technologies. In combination, they unleash incredible capabilities for enterprises, as in 1+1=3.

5G in 2023 has continued to see rapid development. With 5G already available in most countries in the world, the network has lived up to its expectations, providing users with a seamless connected experience. Currently, the countries with the fastest 5G speeds include South Korea and Singapore, according to a report by OpenSignal.

It’s Wednesday afternoon. A severe thunderstorm is predicted to pass through your neighbourhood within the next hour. Just as it approaches, your electricity goes out. Fortunately, your cell phone still works. This provides you with a comforting feeling of safety and allows you to stay connected with weather updates, friends, and family during the storm.

By integrating 5G technologies, businesses can maintain their connectivity and operations despite any temporary or unforeseen disturbances. With the increase in network reliability, it's no wonder why companies are investing in 5G to supplement their Wi-Fi networks. The advantages of doing so are unparalleled.

Every day, as an IT leader, you face the challenging task of navigating the balance between benefits and budgets amidst a rapidly evolving technological landscape. While it may surprise you, Wi-Fi technology has remained static for a considerable amount of time, remaining as it was when it was invented in 1997. However, the upcoming years will bring about significant shifts in enterprise networks, which 86% of networking executives, just like yourself, believe will transform their organisations; 79% believe that their industry will be affected as well.

The imminent modification of networks is a result of the merging of wireless 5G and Wi-Fi technology, which aims to establish a fresh benchmark in business networks. This fusion guarantees to bring forth untapped abilities and heightened competitive benefits. The array of advantages demonstrates the irresistible appeal of incorporating 5G and Wi-Fi in corporate networks.

Wi-Fi and 5G: 6 reasons to get on board:

1. Enhance capacity and latency.

The demand for faster data speeds is increasing as enterprise network traffic grows. To meet this demand and improve performance, 5G technology is being utilised. With its ability to reduce latency, 5G supports various applications that require real-time data access, such as artificial intelligence, video conferencing, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), real-time communications, and mission-critical systems that rely on data from edge devices.

In retail stores, real-time analytics are employed to improve customer experiences in the present moment. To enable these analytics and enhance the customer experience while they are still shopping, applications require access to data that is almost real-time and fast. 5G networks assist in achieving this speed and access.

2. Improve reliability.

Wi-Fi networks operate on unlicensed spectrum, available for use by various devices and accessible from any location. Consequently, numerous transmitting devices often compete for airwave access, leading to increased delay and variability in throughput speeds. In contrast, 5G typically operates on licensed or shared-access spectrum, limited to known telecom users. This allows for more dependable access to the wireless spectrum, resulting in improved delay performance and predictable throughput.

By merging Wi-Fi and 5G within a single service area, it becomes possible to assign less important tasks to Wi-Fi, while allocating 5G for applications that require minimal delays and higher capacity.

3. Cost-optimisation.

The increasing range of applications enabled by 5G is opening fresh avenues for achieving cost optimisation and efficiency gains. Take, for example, the manufacturing sector. By automating repetitive tasks, efficiency can be enhanced, and operating costs reduced. In industries with significant capital investments, such as manufacturing, private 5G networks can play a crucial role in securing assets and delivering vital data promptly, thereby minimising the impact of unplanned downtime on costs.

4. Ensure gate user access and security.

Enhancing security is becoming more and more crucial in every field. To aid in this effort, 5G technology offers the option of geofencing, which allows for controlled access to certain areas of a building or the ability to track locations. These capabilities of 5G help to improve both access control and network security. For instance, in accounting offices where sensitive financial information is handled, it is often necessary to limit access to only authorised personnel. By utilising 5G networks, applications can enforce these usage restrictions and ensure that only specific individuals have access.

5. Expand coverage and improve mobility.

Private 5G is an ideal companion for Wi-Fi in business settings that require flexibility, such as remote work, field workers, and Internet of Things (IoT) networks for smart factories. One example is the use of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) in the automated assembly of aircraft. These AMRs frequently need to move between buildings, both indoors and outdoors, and across expansive areas on a site. When it comes to mobility and coverage, private 5G offers distinct advantages over Wi-Fi.

6. Enable redundancy.

Having both Wi-Fi and 5G integrated into a company's network can offer better backup options, should any network issues occur. This added level of redundancy is crucial in preventing any loss of connection. It's common knowledge that all businesses, regardless of their size or industry, can face disruptions, whether from human mistakes, cyberattacks, natural disasters, or system malfunctions. The costs of these interruptions can be overwhelming and difficult to recover from.

Uniformity does not always suffice.

Although 5G and Wi-Fi offer advantages to all types of businesses and industries, it is important to recognise that there is no universal solution. Each organization has its own specific needs, which are influenced by factors such as infrastructure, budget, and the particular use case or application. As a result, how 5G is integrated with Wi-Fi networks can differ in terms of location and implementation.

Speeding up ahead.

With the progression of the organisational network structure, there is a clear certainty: 5G will soon become a crucial and capability-boosting "force multiplier". It will quickly redefine and elevate the abilities of organisations. For IT leaders who implement it, integrating 5G with Wi-Fi networks is a rapid change that can enhance and expedite business results, regardless of the weather conditions. 

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