Digital transformation has become an essential element for enterprises seeking to improve their business outcomes. With the advancement of technology, the competition has grown stronger, and businesses need to keep up with the digital age to remain competitive. The implementation of digital transformation can significantly enhance several areas such as productivity, operational efficiency, quality, cost, workplace safety, revenue growth, and sustainability. Hence, it is crucial for businesses to adopt digital transformation to improve their operations.
To fully leverage the potential of digital transformation, businesses are increasingly turning to edge computing (as shown in the figure below). Edge computing has several benefits for enterprises seeking to achieve digital transformation. First, it enables faster processing of data by eliminating the latency associated with sending data to a centralized location for processing. This results in real-time insights, allowing businesses to make quick and informed decisions. Second, edge computing reduces bandwidth usage by processing data locally, reducing the load on the network and reducing costs associated with data transmission. Third, it improves data security by keeping sensitive data on-site, reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations. For example, edge computing can be used in IoT devices to monitor and manage data, improving operational efficiency and reducing the risk of equipment breakdowns.
However, to fully embrace the power of edge computing, businesses need a reliable, secure, and customizable network solution. This is where standalone private 5G wireless comes into play. Standalone private 5G is a type of private 5G network that operates independently of public networks and does not require any connectivity to external networks or infrastructure. This type of network is entirely self-contained, allowing businesses to have complete control over their network and data.
Private 5G networks can help enterprises achieve digital transformation in several ways. First, they provide low latency and high bandwidth, which are critical for real-time data processing and analytics. This can enable businesses to make informed decisions quickly and gain a competitive edge. Second, private 5G networks can improve network security by providing a dedicated, secure wireless network that is not shared with other businesses or individuals. This can help reduce the risk of data breaches, ensuring the data does not leave the enterprise location and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations. Third, private 5G networks can be customized to meet the unique needs of the enterprise, providing a flexible and scalable solution that can adapt to changing business requirements.
Standalone private 5G wireless networks provide low latency and high bandwidth, multi-Gbps peak data speeds, critical for real-time data processing and analytics. This enables businesses to make informed decisions quickly and gain a competitive edge. For example, in a manufacturing plant, standalone private 5G can be used to transmit data from sensors and equipment to a central location, enabling real-time insights and analysis, and improving operational efficiency. The industry shift towards greater processing at the edge of the network opens the path for augmented appliance connectivity, and realizes the demand for automated networking.
A standalone private 5G wireless solution is operated by the Enterprise, or by a third-party partner on behalf of the Enterprise. All data stays within the Enterprise, and authentication and SIM management is regulated through the Enterprise. Spectrum requirements for these deployments depend upon region-specific availability and rules. It is possible to operate with private spectrum, such as Citizens Band Radio Services (CBRS) in the United States, or to use an incumbent CSPs licensed spectrum with their agreement.
The networking option of Private 5G wireless is one component in achieving a total solution for the enterprise. Edge computing serves as a platform to support multiple enterprise applications such as computer vision, digital twins, AR/VR, and more. These applications play a crucial role in supporting various business outcomes such as productivity, operational efficiency, quality improvements, cost savings, workplace safety, and sustainability. Edge computing can help enterprises process data closer to the source, reducing latency and improving response times. By combining the capabilities of edge computing with the benefits of private 5G wireless, enterprises can build a comprehensive solution that can meet their unique needs and drive digital transformation.