Manufacturing processes and operations are undergoing digital transformation, and next-generation Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications are being deployed on the factory floor, including but not limited to predictive maintenance planning, digital twins, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). However, the connectivity technologies used in most factories cannot provide the high bandwidth, low latency, reliability and security required for Industry 4.0 deployments. WiFi is probably the most commonly used, it has security, reliability, and interference issues, and cabling doesn't provide the flexibility needed in a dynamic factory. On the other hand, LPWAN technologies, such as Sigfox and Lora, have lower throughput. What else makes a high-performance IoT network capable of supporting a multitude of long-range and mission-critical applications a reality? Let's take a look at what 5G, private LTE, ENOs can do for Industry 4.0.

The benefits of 5G

The following 5G specifications make this new wireless technology standard ideal for Industry 4.0:

• Ultra-high bandwidth capacity, allowing faster throughput
• High data speed (up to 10 gigabits per second)
• Low latency communication (1-10ms)
• Five Nines Availability (99.999% Uptime)
• Low power consumption (up to 10 years battery life for low power IoT devices)

5G is enabling faster, more stable connections and low-latency communications, enabling real-time data transfer

5G networks can be sliced, providing flexible performance and enabling enterprises to secure their IoT networks. The network can be partitioned at any point, assigning applications to different packet gateways at different frequencies. This guarantees interference-free connectivity across the plant, while malware-affected devices can also be isolated into separate slices, limiting security threats and preventing other devices on the network from being affected. However, it will be a while before 5G cellular networks are fully rolled out and the manufacturing industry can take advantage of these advantages.

Private LTE: A stepping stone to 5G

Until that day comes, private LTE already offers many of the aforementioned benefits, while also offering an easy transition to 5G. Private cellular networks (PCNs) owned and operated by enterprises are fast becoming a mission-critical resource. PCNs provide the additional resiliency and security required for IIoT applications, and provide manufacturing companies with a way to customize connectivity to meet specific application requirements and optimize demands on network resources.

Thanks to innovations in pLTE, MnO no longer has sole control over the network. This instead gives the business ownership of the network connection. Before 5G became widespread, enterprise-owned PCNs were the answer to adapting to today's mission-critical, data-centric IoT applications. However, a lack of in-house telecom experience can lead to manufacturing companies being unaware or unable to deploy their own private LTE networks, and that's where a new player in the connectivity space: Enterprise Network Operators (ENOs).

Deploy pLTE network

ENOs work in a network-as-a-service model, providing managed connectivity services that help businesses take control of their IoT networks. Individual business needs can be addressed through ENOs with unique connectivity solutions, such as supplementing an existing network with a private LTE core, or providing a complete private cellular network on unlicensed spectrum. As a supporter of the infrastructure and related services that enterprises need to own and control their IoT networks, ENO provides managed connectivity services over private LTE networks, allowing manufacturing companies to focus on their core business and maximize their deployment potential.

ENO for IIoT

With a private cellular network solution, control is in the enterprise's hands as it can "segment" the network and dynamically deploy additional packet gateways based on different bandwidth, QoS requirements and security policies to optimize the network for specific IIoT applications. The result is a future-proof solution capable of safely, reliably, and cost-effectively connecting mission-critical assets in industrial environments, while paving the way for the future of 5G.

In addition, eSIM and eUICC technologies control the device through the SIM card, eliminating the need to move the IIoT device off-site, giving businesses additional ownership. Over-the-air (OTA) provisioning eliminates reliance on any one carrier by allowing remote switching of network service providers, giving manufacturers the flexibility to respond instantly to changes in network coverage and prices. Access to agnostic Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) also provides manufacturing companies with granular control and real-time visibility into their IoT connections. The modular design of this centralized management platform enables companies to easily expand their operations. Integrate new services such as analytics, billing and security solutions.

Pave the way

By using private LTE, ENOs can adapt to today's data-centric mission-critical IoT applications, paving the way for Industry 4.0. Manufacturing processes are undergoing digital transformation and WiFi is no longer the best choice for industrial connectivity. An Enterprise Network Operator (ENO) provides secure and reliable connectivity as a service, allowing industrial companies to digitize their businesses and enabling 5G deployments.