Fifth-generation wireless technology is no longer a futuristic concept—it is being deployed in cities and industrial campuses across the UK and globally. For businesses, 5G represents a fundamental shift in what is possible with wireless connectivity, enabling applications that were previously impractical or impossible.
What Makes 5G Different?
Speed
5G delivers peak download speeds of up to 20 Gbps and typical speeds of 100 Mbps–1 Gbps in commercial deployments. For context, 4G LTE peaks at around 150 Mbps in real-world conditions. This speed difference is transformational for data-intensive applications.
Latency
Perhaps more important than raw speed is latency. 4G LTE has a typical latency of 30–50 ms. 5G targets sub-1 ms latency in ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) applications. For real-time control systems, this is the difference between workable and unworkable.
Connection Density
5G supports up to 1 million connected devices per square kilometre, compared to 4G's 100,000. This is critical for dense IoT deployments in factories, warehouses, and smart buildings.
Network Slicing
5G introduces the ability to carve the physical network into multiple virtual networks (slices), each with guaranteed bandwidth, latency, and security characteristics. A manufacturer could have one slice for real-time robot control and another for HD video surveillance on the same infrastructure.
Business Use Cases
Private 5G Networks
Enterprises can deploy dedicated 5G infrastructure (using licensed or shared spectrum) for campus or factory-wide connectivity. Private 5G offers:
- Predictable performance with SLA guarantees
- Enhanced security (traffic stays on-premises)
- Complete control over the network
- Integration with existing OT/IT systems
Industries leading adoption: Manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, mining, ports.
Edge Computing Integration
5G and edge computing are natural partners. By processing data at the network edge (close to where it is generated) rather than routing everything to a central data centre, businesses achieve:
- Sub-5 ms response times for time-critical applications
- Reduced backhaul costs
- Data residency compliance
- Resilience against WAN outages
Advanced IoT and Industry 4.0
The combination of massive connection density and low latency enables:
- Autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) in warehouses and factories
- Real-time asset tracking with centimetre-level precision
- Predictive maintenance sensors on equipment
- Remote monitoring of distributed infrastructure
Augmented and Virtual Reality
5G's bandwidth and latency make enterprise AR/VR viable at scale:
- Remote expert assistance for field technicians
- Immersive training simulations
- Real-time collaboration across geographies
- Digital twin visualisation
5G vs Wi-Fi 6: Choosing the Right Technology
| Criterion | 5G | Wi-Fi 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage area | Wide area (km range) | Local (building/campus) |
| Mobility | Seamless handover at speed | Roaming gaps between APs |
| Deployment cost | Higher (spectrum + infrastructure) | Lower |
| Interference | Licensed spectrum, highly reliable | Shared spectrum, variable |
| Use case fit | Outdoor, mobile, large campus | Indoor, static environments |
In practice, most enterprises will deploy both, using Wi-Fi 6 for dense indoor coverage and private 5G for outdoor, mobile, or latency-critical applications.
Implementation Considerations
Spectrum Options
- Licensed mmWave/Sub-6 GHz: Purchase spectrum licences from Ofcom for exclusive use
- Shared Spectrum (CBRS in US, shared access in UK): Lower cost, subject to interference management
- Public 5G with enterprise SLA: Partner with a mobile network operator for a managed private network
Integration with Existing Infrastructure
Private 5G must integrate with SD-WAN, existing LAN infrastructure, Active Directory, and security tooling. Engage an experienced systems integrator to avoid costly rework.
Security
5G introduces new attack surfaces. Harden your private 5G deployment with:
- Network slicing to isolate sensitive traffic
- SIM-based authentication (stronger than PSK)
- Continuous monitoring of radio access network (RAN) events
- Zero Trust policies applied to 5G-connected devices
The Business Case
For organisations evaluating 5G investment, build the business case around:
- Productivity gains from connected workers and automated processes
- Reduced downtime from predictive maintenance enabled by real-time sensor data
- New revenue streams from services only possible with 5G connectivity
- Safety improvements in high-risk environments using remote operation
5G is not a replacement for existing networking—it is an enabler of the next generation of business processes. Organisations that pilot private 5G deployments today will develop the operational expertise to scale competitively as the technology matures.