Simplify 5G adoption with these tools

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5G adoption is projected to be a game-changer, if not an increasingly necessary tool, for enterprises involved in manufacturing, transportation, health care, retail, and the like. However, the path is not as straightforward as business managers and developers might like.

Digital transformation’s complexity specific to 5G adoption has several considerations. As per Tech Target, this includes limited physical proximity to 5G infrastructure, spectrum and bandwidth limitations; the heightened need for security checkpoints; and the tedious logistical constraints businesses face in rural and remote locations—given that even companies in urban areas are still catching up to lay the groundwork.¹

In the face of already complex 5G adoption and transition processes, businesses can significantly benefit from enterprise-ready solutions that simplify the measures without sacrificing effectiveness and impact.

5G might not hit mainstream rollout until 2025, but laying the groundwork begins as early as now. According to the GSM Association (GSMA)’s Mobile economy Asia-Pacific 2022 report, 5G adoption is set to grow across Asia-Pacific, with more than 400 million 5G connections, equivalent to just over 14% of total mobile connections, by 2025. Currently, 5G is commercially available in 14 markets, with others, including India and Vietnam, going live in the coming months,² while some countries like Singapore already have 95% coverage.

Businesses should look into a private 5G network over a public one. Private 5G networks carry all the vital capabilities of 5G while remaining isolated from the Mobile Network Operator (MNO)’s public 5G network, or connected in a restricted manner. The network infrastructure is customised to be used exclusively by authorised devices, assuring security, privacy, and data isolation.

Furthermore, the exclusive use of a private network's dedicated spectrum ensures that priority access is given only to those devices necessary for optimal performance. The bandwidth and availability in this method guarantee low latency (5 milliseconds).³

While the solutions are there, adopting 5G also has its share of challenges. In an IEEE Communications Society Tech Blog piece,⁴ hurdles include integrating into existing ecosystems, the complexity of skills and training upkeep, and cost concerns.

The blog also illustrates NTT’s recent CIO survey results, which revealed that the most common (44%) barrier to deploying private 5G networks is integrating the technology with legacy systems and networks.

The survey also disclosed the following figures:

● 37% of respondents saw complexity surrounding the deployment and management of private 5G networks as a significant roadblock, given that 5G technology is still in the early stages of its adoption lifecycle

● 30% of firms said employees lacking the technical skills and expertise to manage 5G networks is the third most common barrier

● 38% of survey respondents preferred private 5G adoption

Gaining these perspectives, we can deduce that organisations should consider outsourcing their private 5G deployment to a managed service provider who already have the expertise in implementing private 5G networks. Acquiring a private 5G network ‘as-a-service’ can accelerate the adoption process and offer a better end-user experience and return on investment for companies.

There’s also the imminent challenge of security. Companies need security checkpoints and measures because 5G networks are not secure by design. Together with 451 Research and as a part of S&P Global Market Intelligence, Trend Micro surveyed over 400 individuals in globally-distributed organisations responsible for deploying private wireless networks in mixed IT and ICS environments. The survey revealed security to be the largest concern, with 39% citing it as the most important aspect. However, most expect to integrate this with their existing IT network and OT environment. Only 20% intend to extend their existing security systems to protect the new private network, while 43% plan to deploy additional capabilities from their current IT security vendors. The remaining 37% are “relying on security capabilities built into the new offering, either by the vendor or by their integrator”.⁵

Outsourcing enterprise-ready solutions is increasingly becoming a favourable route for enterprises that need guidance they can trust.

Singtel Paragon helps enterprises reduce the complexity and time needed in adopting 5G, edge computing and low latency applications and services while lowering the barriers to entry. It offers features such as:

● Real-time network slicing, where 5G network slices can be created almost instantly to adapt and scale to your needs.

● Enhanced efficiencies, where 100% improvements in latency and high throughput from Singtel’s 5G network (vs 4G and public cloud-enabled edge compute solutions).

● Platform flexibility that lets companies deploy applications in a hybrid fashion across the edge at the Singtel MEC and a public cloud of your choice.

● A robust ecosystem that connects you to industry-leading device and chipset manufacturers, platform and app providers as well as domain partners and system integrators.

● Cost effective payment options, where you only pay for what you use, when you use it – no hardware investments required.

● Access to a one-stop marketplace of a rich ecosystem of 5G MEC plug-and-play solutions deployable in minutes.

While the challenges in adopting enterprise-ready 5G are undeniable, they are not insurmountable. With vendors you can trust, you get a broad range of solutions that take your unique needs into consideration and empower you in the process.

Want to know how to get started? Speak to our experts to find out more.
 

Reference:

1. Tech Target, Top 5G limitations and challenges for businesses, 2022.

2. Computer Weekly, 5G connections in APAC to surpass 400 million by 2025, 2022.

3. Embedded Computing Design, The Future of Enterprises with Private 5G Networks, 2022.

4. IEEE Communications Society Tech Blog, NTT: Biggest challenges to effectively integrate private 5G into existing infrastructure and applications?, 2022.

5. Trend Micro, Private Network 5G Security Risks & Vulnerabilities, 2022).