There’s been a lot of excitement around 5G lately, but what does it truly mean for businesses?
With speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G and low latency, what benefits might this offer? Brian Ross, Group Technical Director at Orbital Internet Group, examines the topic closely and helps us understand the buzz.
A quick introduction to 5G
Let’s begin with the basics: 5G is short for fifth-generation mobile networks. It builds on the speed of 4G and introduces huge improvements: much faster data transfer rates, lower latency, and the ability to support many more connected devices at once. That’s not just beneficial for streaming films on your phone, but also essential for critical, day-to-day business operations.
What can 5G deliver for businesses?
Faster connections are the obvious story, but there’s much more to it than just speed. Here are some of the main business benefits:
Private 5G networks
One of the most exciting developments is private 5G. While we’re still working on making it the right fit for certain clients, the idea is simple: your own 5G network that provides secure, high-speed wireless coverage exactly where you need it. Imagine a large campus, high-tech warehouse or industrial park: all the benefits of fibre, without lengthy installation times. It’s like enterprise-grade Wi-Fi, but without signal drops or congestion.
Remote and hard-to-reach sites
5G provides reliable connectivity in areas that full fibre or even 4G cannot adequately reach. Whether it’s a pop-up site, a construction site, or a rural business park, 5G can deliver speeds that previously required cables, but without the need to dig up roads. In Kent, where we operate our own fixed wireless access network, we can offer even greater flexibility for locations beyond the reach of full fibre. As more businesses shift to cloud-based tools, maintaining uptime and resilience is vital. And 5G offers an additional way to keep everyone connected, even when issues occur elsewhere on the network.
5G as backup for remote work
You might already have fibre linking your site offices, while your remote team members use consumer broadband. But if roadworks cut a cable and disrupt the connection, 5G provides a dependable backup to maintain your entire operation’s connectivity.
A boost for IoT (Internet of Things)
IoT is no longer just a fad; it’s booming. Companies are linking everything from assembly-line sensors to streetlights. With 5G, deploying numerous devices becomes quick and affordable, each transmitting small data amounts. Cheap SIM cards suited for low-
bandwidth use make backhaul, which connects remote devices to the internet, simpler and more adaptable than before.
Is 5G right for your business?
While the 5G future is exciting, not every business is jumping into 5G feet-first. Here at Orbital Net, our experience reflects what we observe in the market. Some companies still require standard internet connectivity: reliable, fast service at a reasonable price.
5G is often most effective as part of a hybrid solution, working alongside full fibre and other services to keep your business connected.
Private 5G has not yet found its ideal customers everywhere, but we believe the use cases (from industry to agriculture to events) will only expand.
Orbital Net’s approach
What makes Orbital Net unique? We don’t offer generic ‘off-the-shelf’ packages. Whether you need full fibre, wireless WAN, or support for your IoT deployments, our focus is on creating customised solutions that suit your business. The Orbital team values advice over pushy sales tactics: we believe that reliability and resilience outweigh technical jargon. Since we have developed our own wireless access infrastructure in Kent, we can deliver greater control and dependability in the areas we serve. It’s something many national providers cannot match. Hybrid options, such as fibre-to-the-cabinet and WiMax, still have their advantages. However, we typically recommend full fibre whenever feasible, as it is more future-ready and removes the extra costs and limitations tied to outdated telephone lines. Additionally, 5G acts as an extension of our services for quick recovery solutions and to reach underserved areas where installing wired infrastructure can be difficult.
Getting started
If you’re unsure about when or how to use 5G alongside your current setup, concentrate on what your business truly needs: more bandwidth, improved reliability, secure connections, or resilience for remote staff. From there, our team can guide you through the advantages and disadvantages; whether it’s time to try private 5G, supplement with IoT SIMs, or stick with full fibre. It isn’t a silver bullet, but it is a powerful tool for UK businesses. As technology progresses, options like private 5G will become more accessible. And Orbital is here to help your company stay connected, competitive, and prepared for what’s next.
Ready to explore what 5G can do for your business? Get in touch with Orbital to discuss your challenges, or click here to find out more, and let’s build the right solution together.