Enterprise 5G Connectivity Solutions for Modern Businesses

Sixteen years after the arrival of 4G, the ways in which we use internet-connected devices have transformed. The advanced computing power of smartphones and tablets means they are used for increasingly data-intensive tasks, while the recent surge of smart devices and connected home goods now means that the average household is constantly consuming mobile data.

For enterprises, this difference is even more marked: the Internet of Things (IoT) industry has rapidly gained pace, catalyzed by developments like eSIM (eUICC) technology. Since the launch of 5G in 2019, the number of connected IoT devices has more than tripled.

5G is the latest generation of cellular network technology (as defined by the 3GPP, or Third Generation Partnership Project). The standard is already in widespread usage, with new applications continually being explored.

In practice, 5G refers to a range of network types that offer a certain standard of speed, latency, and security. These can range from “mmWave” networks that offer the highest possible data speeds but limited range, to low and mid-band networks that increase coverage at the cost of latency and speed.

The higher speeds and real-time response of 5G networks have enabled this market boom in automated devices. As with any shift of this scale and speed, questions remain. Here, we explore how businesses and IoT companies are harnessing enterprise 5G to stay ahead of the curve.

The key features of 5G

1. Faster download speeds

5G networks range in data speeds, though they generally enable download rates of around 1-5 Gbps (gigabytes per second). This is around 10 times faster than 4G, with the potential to be even higher.

2. Lower latency

Latency, or the “lag” between a command being entered and it taking effect, is drastically reduced in a 5G network. This has proven critical to the uptake of 5G networks by users that require real-time responses to their inputs. Uses range from online gaming to critical functions in healthcare or manufacturing.

3. Reduced power consumption

5G can reduce required power by up to 90% when compared to 4G – this reduction has become a necessity due to the rapidly accelerating bandwidth humans are consuming. While the power consumption per connection is much lower with 5G, businesses and governments should consider that the larger number of connected devices 5G enables may still increase their overall data and energy consumption.

4. Wider industrial applications

5G's low latency allows near real-time communication between multiple connected devices in a network. This has proven successful in industrial zones like active ports, factories, or mines, as well as wider applications in city infrastructure. Real-time response has enabled the rise of a new wave of automated processes, from robotics to IoT connected cars.

What is enterprise 5G?

Enterprise 5G isn’t a technical descriptor – instead, it’s a catch-all term for any 5G network used by a company or organization rather than an individual. Enterprise 5G can refer to a single localized 5G connection covering a specific area (such as a warehouse), or a network of 5G zones connecting multiple devices across regions and even countries.

As a successor to 4G and LTE networks, 5G offers customers faster download speeds and generally more reliable coverage. In localized, crowded areas like stadiums and music festivals this is immediately apparent. Anyone who’s struggled to get cell signal in a crowd will be keenly aware of the shortcomings of 4G coverage – this is no longer an issue in a 5G network, where IoT solutions are reshaping festivals and large-scale gatherings.

The rise of consumer 5G makes day-to-day life easier for mobile users and helps to facilitate the increased bandwidth demanded by modern phone users. Uploading 4K video and supporting UHD online games is now a standard expectation for a new smartphone.

While this may be the most noticeable benefit of 5G to many users, it’s only a fraction the technology's potential. The new standard opens a world of possibilities for IoT industries, smart devices and connected living. It’s essential that businesses understand the capabilities of 5G so that they can most effectively harness it in their own operations and remain competitive.

Who uses enterprise 5G?

The limited range of mmWave 5G makes it suitable for localized commercial usage. These private enterprise 5G zones can take full advantage of the minimal latency and high speeds of mmWave, provided all required devices remain within a set range. Ports, warehouses, hospitals and factories are popular sites for mmWave enterprise 5G networks.

Wi-Fi networks, even for private concerns, can be susceptible to cyberattacks. Tactics like packet sniffing or malicious hotspots are specifically designed to target public Wi-Fi users. Not only does a private 5G network avoid this risk entirely, it does so while providing a similar level of performance, bandwidth, and latency as a Wi-Fi network.

As a result, private 5G networks are fast becoming the industry standard wireless network for many industrial processes, replacing Wi-Fi. They've even been earmarked as a potential tool for space exploration.

In busy industrial zones, the widespread coverage of a mobile data network is preferable to the limited range of Wi-Fi, with no need to purchase multiple Wi-Fi boosters. As the scale of the operation increases, providing mobile data simply becomes more reliable than Wi-Fi.  

Some countries, such as Germany, now offer specific spectrums for enterprise customers only. 

Of course, mobile data networks can also be subject to dead spots and outages – truly reliable IoT connectivity requires a redundant solution like 1GLOBAL IoT.

The 1GLOBAL core network comprises over 600 carriers in 190+ countries - any device on the 1GLOBAL network will continually connect to the best available of several local networks, ensuring uninterrupted signal and eliminating the risk of network downtime or coverage dead spots.

Enterprise 5G for the IoT industry

Enterprise 5G has opened a world of possibilities for the M2M and IoT sector. 

5G isn't just an accelerant for the industry; it’s a necessity. The data generated and required by the exponentially increasing number of connected devices cannot be sustained by prior 3G and 4G standards.

The increased capacity, energy efficiency and speeds of 5G provide support for these new data demands, as well as opening the door to high-data processes such as real-time analytics and automation. 5G can support and augment other connectivity models for IoT businesses, including the longer-range LPWAN and LTE formats.

IoT companies that embrace 5G now place themselves ahead of the industry curve and protect their revenue in the ongoing industry shift. 

Using enterprise 5G in 2025

For IoT companies in 2025, it’s a question of when, not if, to adopt a 5G connectivity service. To reiterate: in 2010, the volume of data created and consumed worldwide was 2 zettabytes. In 2025, that volume is projected to be 182, or a 90-fold increase. 

For an IoT business to truly harness enterprise 5G, it requires a solution that remains secure, cost-effective, and actively supports the predicted demand in IoT services. As a relatively new technology, businesses looking to implement IoT 5G connectivity within their operations require an expert partner.

1GLOBAL is a worldwide connectivity supplier with many years of experience in the IoT industry and a wide range of agile solutions to achieve specific enterprise requirements.

1GLOBAL for IoT

A 5G connectivity service allows international businesses to bring a consistently high level of data connection to all their devices and team members across the world — provided they work with an international partner like 1GLOBAL. 

Crucially, 1GLOBAL's single core network means that even multinational IoT companies require only one single contract, regardless of how many different countries and regions they operate in. As the industry continues to gather pace, traditional network operators are often unable to meet demand, especially when connecting customers in multiple countries. A unified international network and simple pricing model allow 1GLOBAL partners to connect their IoT devices securely, internationally, and at scale.

This centralized model extends to the monitoring and management of the devices themselves: all data points, devices, and insights are collated into a single management platform, accessible from anywhere. This, too, is an essential need for IoT businesses. The sector's rapid projected growth demands smart tools that can scale for years to come. 5G has powered the expansion of the connected device market - with the right connectivity tools in hand, IoT businesses are poised to embrace this transformation.

Contact our team directly to learn more about how 1GLOBAL IoT services can benefit your company.