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5 Things to Consider when transitioning from 4G LTE to 5G network

5G, the latest generation of cellular technology, delivers faster speeds, lower latency and greater capacity for multiple devices than its 4G predecessor. And many organizations will have to evaluate if they need to switch to enhance their networks and harness the power of 5G for their businesses.

In fact, the results of an IHS Markit study of the socioeconomic impact of 5G indicate that intelligent connectivity, enabled by 5G, will create an estimated $13.2 trillion of global economic value by 2035.

If your organization is considering switching to a 5G network, here are some factors to keep in mind. 

1. Create a 5G strategy

It is important for your business to be clear on what 5G can enable your organization to do that Wi-Fi cannot. Before developing a detailed business strategy, it’s vital to understand 5G’s capabilities and possible use cases and based on these, identify key areas for investment. This will help decide where best to invest in the technology to deliver the biggest benefits in the long term.

2. Transition to 5G will have to be completed in phases

Since the costs related to the development of 5G infrastructure or adaptations to existing cellular infrastructure are higher, your business might benefit from taking a phased approach when adopting 5G. The slower move means your existing network technology needs to co-exist and work in tandem with the newer 5G implementations. 

3. Choosing your partners

Organizations will need to think about where to source the technology from and whether to use a public or private 5G network. Both public and private 5G networks will give you high speeds, very low latency, and network slicing capabilities. The former is built, deployed, managed, and maintained by a network provider, whereas a private 5G network is a local area network (LAN) that uses 5G technologies to create a dedicated network with unified connectivity, optimised services and a secure means of communication within an area.

4. Be ready to adopt cloud-native approach

One of the best ways for organisations to realise the full potential and scale of 5G technology is by adopting a fully automated cloud-native approach to seamlessly manage the network resources for 5G services. Using a range of cloud-based platforms and tools, businesses can develop, deploy, provision and scale 5G solutions more efficiently than other approaches.

5. Prepare against security threats

5G networks will face new cybersecurity risks and expanding the network’s capabilities can open up new entry points for cyber attacks. Businesses will need to secure their network with authentication software to provide sufficient security without compromising employee’s productivity. 

Business leaders will also need to introduce an education program to inform employees about best practices for 5G and ensure they are enabled to identify potential threats during the technology rollout and beyond.

Talk to us today to learn how you might transition your private network from 4G to 5G.

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