HMS Networks releases whitepaper: 5G: Is the Industry ready?

HMS Networks, a specialist in solutions for industrial communication and IIoT, surveyed 50 international industry professionals in spring 2019 to inquire about the positioning of wireless communication in their companies and to see how they are getting ready for the launch of 5G. HMS’ whitepaper titled “5G: Is the Industry ready?” presents the results of this study and provides insights into the current situation in the manufacturing industry in terms of 5G preparedness.

The whitepaper from HMS Networks provides an overview of the industry’s opinions towards 5G technology as an emerging trend and future standard in the manufacturing and industrial automation industry. It also touches on the use of wireless technologies in the industry today and future directions of this technology.

Key findings include:

More than half (54%) of the interviewees indicated using wireless communication solutions for remote monitoring and remote operation of assets. One third of the respondents (34%) stated that their companies were using wireless communication for different kinds of IIoT.

Half of the interviewees (48%) were clearly positive about 5G in manufacturing – they mostly appreciated that the technology will replace cables, unreliable Wi-Fi, and the many industrial standards in use today.

For the majority (58%) of the respondents, the reliability and robustness of wireless systems plays a decisive role in whether to adopt 5G or not, and this was voiced equally by representatives of OT and IT. Low latency was mentioned as important by more than a quarter (26%) of the interviewees.