As the IoT market matures and a new generation of use cases emerges, connectivity technologies such as 4G, 5G, 5G-Advanced, and Private 5G networks are taking centre stage in the transformation of countless industries.
IoT News caught up with Phil Huang, Business Development & Field Application Manager at D-Link, to delve into how these technologies are forming the backbone of next-generation IoT applications and the challenges that remain for widespread adoption.
Connectivity in a changing IoT landscape
As older mobile network technologies such as 2G and 3G reach the end of their life cycles – some of which have already been shut down – 4G is maintaining its relevance and importance. However, according to Huang, “4G looks set to remain crucial in the IoT ecosystem until the end of the decade.”
Huang highlights the widespread coverage of 4G, lower cost, and minimal power requirements as key attributes. These features make 4G particularly well-suited for applications that don’t demand high speeds or ultra-low latency, such as the monitoring and tracking of assets, inventory, and environmental conditions, or for enabling data transmission for communication and transactions across various industries.
The advent of 5G and its evolution, 5G-Advanced, however, brings unprecedented capabilities with its ultrafast speeds and minimal latency.
“These attributes are critical in areas such as autonomous vehicles and industrial and factory automation,” Huang explains. These sectors require real-time action and reaction in microseconds, often facilitated by AI-driven analytics processing vast amounts of cloud-transmitted data.
Furthermore, Private 5G networks are emerging as a viable solution for sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, which demand both flexibility and reliability.
Compared to traditional wired and wireless solutions, Private 5G offers robust connectivity that competes with the stability of wired infrastructures while delivering the freedom of wireless. Yet, deploying Private 5G is not without hurdles.
“Businesses must overcome various challenges when considering deploying a Private 5G network,” says Huang. These include costs, a lack of technical expertise, and navigating regulatory and compliance frameworks.
IoT applications fundamentally rely on consistent, stable network connectivity. As Huang states, “Without an internet connection, there is no ‘IoT’.”
In an environment increasingly reliant on real-time data – whether for monitoring, response, or action – a dependable connection ensures uninterrupted and accurate processing. “With AI playing an increasingly important role in IoT, this becomes even more critical,” Huang adds.
AI’s integration into IoT underscores the necessity of low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity solutions such as 5G. The symbiotic relationship between IoT and AI amplifies the requirement for networks capable of supporting complex data ecosystems.
Transformational impacts across vertical industries
According to Huang, automotive, manufacturing, and healthcare are set to reap significant rewards from 5G due to their dependence on real-time data processing and ultra-low latency. These verticals require cutting-edge connectivity solutions that facilitate seamless operations while empowering smart systems.
Some real-world applications of this technological confluence are already evident. For instance, Huang points to advancements in “smart factories, notably in Germany, and smart cities such as Seoul and Singapore.”
Environments such as these are leading the adoption of technologies like driverless taxis, autonomous delivery vans, and even drones, showcasing the transformative potential of IoT powered by 5G.
One standout example of this transformation is a project undertaken by D-Link in Spain’s Metrovalencia railway system. D-Link collaborated on a capacity control initiative designed to enhance passenger management.
“It works by collecting data from different sensors and providing analytics in real-time in relation to the level of occupancy on trains and platforms,” Huang explains. From monitoring passenger density on carriages to directing riders to less crowded areas, the system ensures safer and more efficient travel.
Such applications are not without their challenges, however. The harsh environmental conditions within transport networks – including factors such as temperature, humidity, and vibration – necessitate hardware solutions that are durable enough to withstand these extremes while maintaining seamless functionality. “You can’t just deploy any network solution in this kind of environment,” Huang points out.
The capabilities unlocked by modern IoT routers are pivotal in driving the future of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication and IoT. As Huang details, they “feature support for Wi-Fi, multi-gigabit ethernet, PoE, multi-WAN, serial, I/O, and GNSS/GPS.”
Flexibility and scalability are at the heart of these devices, which offer centralised cloud management for effortless deployment, administration, and monitoring. Features such as zero-touch provisioning enable the rapid scaling of IoT networks, a critical factor as organisations expand their IoT deployments.
As the IoT market continues to evolve, the interplay of technologies like 4G, 5G, and Private 5G will create opportunities to unlock an entirely new class of use cases across vertical industries.
While 4G will remain critical for cost-effective and power-efficient applications for years to come, the blazing speeds and near-zero latency of 5G and Private 5G networks are already proving transformative for sectors reliant on real-time analytics and automation.
The true impact of IoT lies in its ability to connect people, devices, and data seamlessly and efficiently. However, achieving this vision requires not only advanced connectivity solutions but also hardware capable of meeting the demands of challenging environments.
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