On the 12^th of February, we hosted a workshop as part of the All Access Programme for our cohort to learn more about 5G technologies, what the benefits and challenges of using 5G technologies are, and whether having a public or a private 5G network might be beneficial for the solutions that are being designed, rather than relying on Wi-Fi. 5G technology is often described as the enabler for advanced digital technologies, including immersive tech, so it may play a large role here.

Our cohort members are a range of different organisations with varying levels of knowledge when it comes to 5G technologies, so we invited experts in to answer all the questions.

‍

What is 5G?

5G is the ‘fifth generation’ and latest iteration of mobile network technology that connects devices to the internet wirelessly.  By using higher-frequency radio waves than previous generations, 5G can carry more data at faster speeds, it also is more flexible than previous iterations and can handle a larger number of devices connected to the same network.

You can read more about 5G technology here.

‍

What Does It Mean When 5G is Public or Private?

Public 5G is widely available through telecom providers, offering broad coverage and accessibility for consumers and businesses alike. In contrast, private 5G is a dedicated network, providing greater control, enhanced security, and customised performance tailored to specific needs. Understanding the key differences between these two approaches is crucial for organisations looking to harness the full potential of 5G connectivity.

‍

What Is the Right Wireless Solution?

If you are looking to adopt a wireless solution within your organisation, you may need to consider security, quality of service, mobility, accessibility, cost and more. Each solution has its own benefits and challenges that comes with it.

Private Wi-Fi Network

Ideal for home and office use.

Benefits  

• Security: User’s data stays onsite, and networks are encrypted, ensuring that only authorised users can connect.
• Cost: Once set up, Wi-Fi offers unlimited access without the need for daily data charges or public network fees.

Challenges

• Coverage: Wi-Fi signals have a limited coverage area, and interference from walls, appliances, or other networks can reduce performance and due to this outdoor coverage made require many access points.
• Security: If the network lacks strong passwords or encryption, it can be vulnerable to cyber threats.
• Reliability: Wi-Fi performance depends on the internet service provider and therefore could face slow speeds or outages.

Public 5G Network

Ideal for nationwide, outdoor, basic services.

Benefits  

• Cost: Businesses and individuals can access 5G without the significant investment required for private network infrastructure.  
• Accessibility: Public 5G networks are deployed by telecom providers and offer already existing broad geographical coverage, so there is no need to set up a network.
• Ease of use: Network maintenance, upgrades and security management is handled by the mobile network operators.  

Challenges

• Security: Data transmitted over public 5G is more exposed to cyber threats.
• Coverage: It can be poor indoors and inconsistent outdoors depending on where the operator has deployed it, or if it is deployed where you need it to be.  
• Cost: It can end up being expensive in the long run if users rely on this heavily as users are billed per use.
• Control: Public 5G depends on telecom providers’ infrastructure, meaning users are vulnerable to outages or service disruptions.
• Congestion: Public networks are shared among lots of users and devices, leading to potential slowdowns during peak times.  

Private 5G Network

Ideal for reliable, customisable, specific uses.

Benefits

• Security: Users have complete control over data traffic, minimising exposure to cyber threats.  
• Reliability: A private 5G network operates independently of public telecom providers, reducing the risk of outages or service disruptions.
• No Interference: No other private 5G network can be added on top of an existing one in the same location, so there is no congestion or interference.  
• Customisation: Private 5G networks can be tailored to specific organisational needs (optimising bandwidth, security, and Quality of Service (QoS) for specific applications like automation or real-time analytics).
• Control: Any maintenance or network configuration is under the organisation’s control, meaning no surprise loss of internet.
• Specific SLA: The 5G providers will urgently fix your network if something were to happen and it went down.
• Cost: While the upfront investment is high, private 5G eliminates recurring telecom provider fees, making it possibly more cost-effective in the long run.

Challenges

• Deployment Costs: It can be costly upfront to set up a private 5G network.  
• Implementation: Deploying a private 5G network is technically challenging, so experts may need to be called in to support.

‍

Final Things to Remember

• Select the right connectivity solution for you, whether that is a private Wi-Fi network or a public or private 5G network.  
• Consider who your provider is, who will install the network and who will maintain the network.  
• Think about your return on investment. In the long run, it may be more beneficial to pay up front for long term gain.  
• If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask!

‍

In Conclusion

5G technology is set to revolutionise the way we connect, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity than ever before. Choosing whether to look to 5G will depend on your specific use cases and what you are trying to achieve.

A massive thank you to our speakers and panellists: Danny Hoyle, Business Development Manager at Accelleran; Steven Watson Business Development Manager at Vodafone; and Prateek Mishra, Senior 5G Technologist at Digital Catapult.

Come and pop into our 5G Immersive Lab in Eldon Square, Newcastle to learn more about how we can help you with 5G. To get further info, follow us on social media or get in touch with Jenna Ingoe: jenna.ingoe@sunderlandsoftwarecity.com