Imagine listening, watching and enjoying a live concert of your favorite rock band while the vocalist is in New York, lead guitarist plays from Stockholm, rhythm guitarist is in Sofia, bass guitarist - in Zagreb, the drummer - in Shanghai, and the keyboard player - in Buenos Aires. The audience is everywhere. Many would argue that this is not possible today. However, 5G is the technology that is already enabling such a live collaboration.
The need for 5th generation networks (5G)
Unlike 2G, 3G and 4G that were all about increasing speeds, for the first time the next generation of networks - 5G - is very much about latency. 5G networks offer significantly higher data speeds and cut delays. They give almost instantaneous response (latency under 1 ms, while 4G latency ranges from 60 ms to 98 ms), unfolding totally new opportunities for business connectivity and applications to companies and individuals.
These capabilities come right on time to answer growing market demands. IDC estimates that numbers of internet-connected devices could reach 55.7 bn by 2025, generating almost 80B zettabytes (ZB) of data. [Source: https://blogs.idc.com/2021/01/06/future-of-industry-ecosystems-shared-data-and-insights/]. In a single car battery, for example, there are approximately 250 000 pieces of data.
These accelerating trends further create the need to support even faster speeds and greater cell density. By being able to analyze this kind of big data and combining networks with autonomous robotics and augmented reality, companies hope to get real insights, grow faster, and compete better. However, to enable a smooth and efficient transition from 4G to 5G, companies have to understand the differences and define how network architectures could affect business operations.
Private 5G networks
Private 5G networks represent a more reliable platform than Wi-Fi and older generations mobile networks - especially if used for business-critical operations. Fueled by digital transformation, private 5G networks are unfolding in many industry sectors. It is commonly known that they bring Enhanced Mobile Broadband (or, simply more bandwidth). In addition, there are two other important features of 5G, that are key for Industry 4.0.:
At the moment, it is believed that several large companies are beginning to explore private 5G networks and this market is expanding. According to Market Research it will reach $14bn by 2028 [Source: https://www.marketresearch.com/Grand-View-Research-v4060/Private-5G-Network-Size-Share-14553525/]. Use cases for private 5G networks cover industries such as public safety and defense, oil & gas, energy & utilities, transport, logistics & retail, to name just a few.
Kyndryl's Point of View
At Kyndryl, we believe that enterprises must have the right combination of skills, expertise, and ambition to fully realize, the opportunities unlocked by network and edge computing. In partnership with firms such as Nokia, we are able to help enterprises with saving money, improving agility, and accelerating revenue growth. We are uniquely positioned to be the trusted authority to which enterprise leaders can turn for getting the job done right.
Kyndryl’s Network & Edge practice understands that network modernization is essential to success in the next digital era, and that advanced delivery, technology and intelligent platforms are foundational.
Kyndryl Network & Edge provides the expertise, services and technologies that help enterprises prepare for the next wave of cloud with 5G-enabled edge and software-defined networking technologies such as SDN and SD-WAN - regardless of their size and complexity. By provisioning software defined and 5G-enabled edge services, Kyndryl builds a “core-to-edge“ story covering end-user device integration, cloud-based application delivery, high security options and innovative network services and thus helping customers build strong end to end, carrier neutral solutions with a highly programmable network.
Some of the differentiated ways we help our customers include our key network offerings, such as:
Complementary to the Network&Eddge services Kyndryl is also providing other services from data&AI, Cloud and Security which are help clients to manage and protect new data created by 5G and IoT:
Use cases
Companies, using private 5G networks are already connecting a vast variety of devices and assets in order to get insights from the analyzed data and improve operations.
Kyndryl is partnering with leading providers, such as Nokia, in the delivery of complex enterprise networking solutions.
For example, at some of the largest US petrochemical processing plants, Kyndryl has installed several Nokia private cellular networks to enable remote audio/video collaboration, real time smart procedures, on-site personnel tracking, and vehicle telematics.
Nokia 5G technology is also used in several other interesting use cases like: Nokia factory digitization, Lufthansa and VW. Nokia’s 5G digitalization of Oulu factory was recognized by the World Economic Forum as an "Advanced 4th Industrial Revolution Lighthouse". (Nokia's digitalization of its 5G Oulu factory recognized by the World Economic Forum as an "Advanced 4th Industrial Revolution Lighthouse" | Nokia). The solution generated productivity gains of 30 percent. The “go-to-market“ time for a product was shortened by half, enabled by the implementation of various IoT based automations and analytics. Lufthansa Technik uses 5G private wireless for virtual table inspection of plane engine parts. Volkswagen tests 5G for production on its way to smart factories.
Nokia and SURF, the organization for IT in Dutch education and research, have successfully reached a single carrier 800Gb/s optical transmission over SURF’s existing cross-border, multi-vendor research and education network infrastructure.
Nokia and Vodafone are collaborating to test the viability of L4S technology over passive optical networks (PON).
The GSMA believes that critical reform of European laws is necessary to position the region as a technology frontrunner by 2030.
