5G in Manufacturing: Promising Benefits, Incremental Rollouts Ahead

Building a robust 5G infrastructure is a complex, time‑consuming effort, and manufacturers must also adapt to the new technology.

In a recent video discussion with IoT World Today, Ali Syed Moshin reviewed Omdia’s 2020 report, 5G in Manufacturing – i5G Report – 2020, outlining how 5G can unlock transformative opportunities while highlighting the work still required for widespread adoption.

Key advantages of 5G for manufacturers include:

• Private networks – companies can build and manage their own 5G networks, giving them full control over security, capacity, and service quality.
• Rapid deployment – unlike legacy wireless systems, 5G can be installed with minimal site preparation, speeding up time to value.
• Real‑time data transfer – ultra‑low latency enables instant analytics, predictive maintenance, and coordinated robotics.

However, early adoption faces several hurdles:

• Cost – wireless solutions can be up to 20 % more expensive than wired alternatives, according to recent surveys.
• Skill gaps – expertise in cellular technologies is still limited, and proven use‑case libraries are developing.
• Infrastructure readiness – 5G networks require dense cell sites and backhaul capacity that many factories lack today.

To learn more about the current state of 5G in manufacturing and the future of industrial IoT, watch the full discussion and download the full Omdia report here. For the latest industry insights, join Industrial IoT World this December—register here.