Even now, a key question to ask when offering a private 5G network is which release of the specification it complies with. Systems designed and built to the old specifications do not have all the features of the new specifications.
Also be on the lookout for “5G-ready” systems that have a 4G radio in the 5G core, or systems that have updatable 5G radios in a true 5G core. Their capabilities vary, and the cost of upgrading from 5G-capable to true 5G depends on your site’s configuration.
partner up
Another important question is who plans and builds the network. Because private 5G can do more than just install hotspots and perform Ethernet drops every 50 meters.
“You’re going to need a good partner, and that partner needs to be 5G-savvy,” says Alex Sinclair, a communications industry veteran who is now CTO of industry body GSMA. Options include wireless network operators who are obviously experienced and offer private networks as a sideline. Wireless equipment vendors such as Nokia, Ericsson, and Huawei. System integrators like Tech Mahindra and Infosys have specialized private 5G practices.
5G is no longer homogeneous, so it’s important to find a partner that understands your business. “If you’re integrating into a factory production line or an airport, that integration tends to be bespoke,” he says. “We have to choose the right partners to deal with it.”
call waiting
Even if we build a true 5G private network, will we be able to use it? It all depends on what you want to connect. While 5G smartphones are now commonplace, the ruggedized tablets needed in industrial environments are still rare and expensive. For example, adding a 4G modem to Dell’s Latitude 7220 Rugged Extreme Tablet costs $150 and a 5G modem costs $348, which leaves it unprepared to take advantage of the enhanced network core capabilities of a standalone 5G network. yeah.
There is also a significant 15x price difference between the chips that power wireless modems for 4G and 5G systems. This is enough to deter device manufacturers from offering his 5G options at this time, especially for niche industrial applications. And when they do, they add hefty price increases, further reducing demand.
Device shortages are an old story in the mobile industry. It dates back to the introduction of early digital mobile standards, known as PCS in the United States and GSM elsewhere. Industry jokers claimed that GSM stood for “God Send Mobiles,” says Sinclair.
implementation cycle
“We now fully understand that this is part of a cycle,” Sinclair said. “Currently, we are about halfway through the 5G deployment cycle, but 4G will be around for a long time. This also means that for private networks, there are many requirements that can be well covered by 4G radios at the moment. ”
While current 4G prices are inevitably lower, like previous generations of mobile technology, the cost of 5G devices will drop exponentially, so CIOs should consider when to make the move, says Sinclair. says Mr.
“It’s really good to have better prices, better understanding, and more 4G support,” he says. “But if he is going to introduce 5G into an application that will be used for 10 years, he needs to think seriously about 5G to ensure the future is secure.”
