5G might seem like another step in the evolution of cellular networks, but it is so much more. WiFi was a preferred form of wireless connectivity in the past due to its faster speeds. However, 5G has unlocked a lot more potential, where companies are considering using it to automate factories and their processes. If you have a business you’re looking to take to the next level, perhaps exploring the idea of 5G autonomous networks could be a good place to start.
What are intelligent, autonomous 5G networks?
AI is all the rage these days, so it’s unsurprising that intelligent and autonomous networks integrate some AI into their systems.
An intelligent, autonomous 5G network relies on AI, machine learning, and utilizes closed-loop network automation. In this network autonomous system, network components can help monitor, analyze, and optimize themselves without human intervention. In turn, this allows systems to self-heal. This is where it can identify and resolve issues in real-time.
It also helps optimize performance and adjust resource allocation dynamically to maintain optimal service. It can even be used to predict demand. This helps businesses analyze patterns to anticipate future network requirements.
Why businesses need autonomous systems
One of the reasons why some companies are successful is because they can anticipate demand. Selling out your initial inventory is a good problem, but constantly being backlogged with orders isn’t. Being anticipatory rather than reactive is a good thing. If your business constantly struggles to anticipate your customers’ needs, customers will go to your competitor.
This is why businesses need to adopt an autonomous system in networking. This helps reduce or even eliminate the need for manual intervention. It can help to boost efficiency, especially by using closed-loop network automation where networks can identify and resolve issues by themselves. This reduces the overall amount of downtime and improves your network’s reliability.
This, in turn, can also reduce the operational expenses (OPEX) involved in maintaining a network. Some potential opex reduction strategies include automating routine tasks. It can also optimize the amount of energy consumed, which in turn reduces utility costs which helps with opex reduction.
Autonomous systems that can anticipate network demands can also be used to predict potential failures. This helps with downtime, which, in some cases, can cost companies a great deal of money.
Real-world applications
Now that we’ve highlighted the benefits of autonomous 5G networks for your business, the question is, how can this be applied in the real world? From a consumer standpoint, autonomous systems can benefit our daily gadgets. For instance, smartphones and smart home appliances stand to benefit from faster speeds and lower latency.
It can also help with AR/VR applications, creating a smoother experience that can unlock further opportunities for gaming, e-commerce, training purposes, etc. It also helps with streaming by allowing services to offer high-quality streams without constantly buffering content.
An autonomous 5G network can also benefit the enterprise sector. It can help with supply chain management to track inventory and make predictions. It will also benefit the manufacturing process, allowing machines to communicate better to facilitate efficient and flexible production processes.
There is also the possibility that these autonomous networks can be used for remote healthcare. The low latency can help with telemedicine or even remote surgeries. Imagine a surgeon performing remote surgery, only to have to wait or have the operation interrupted due to slow network speeds.
Conclusion
There is no denying the power that intelligent, autonomous 5G networks have in their ability to combine connectivity with automation. A business that adopts 5G autonomous networks can help with opex cost reduction and enhance the customer experience while making sure it can stay ahead of the competition. So if you want to transform your business and adapt to today’s market as well as the future, now is a great time to consider adopting these networks into your operations.