Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA
5G for your industrial IoT: reliable, flexible, scalable
What challenges does 5G solve in industry?
When demand and resources fluctuate, response speed is crucial. Flexible, digitized production concepts are necessary to compensate for these fluctuations. Implementing them requires a stable, scalable infrastructure for data exchange within the company. In practice, this stability is often not consistently guaranteed in existing IT infrastructures. This is particularly critical in the Industrial IoT (IIoT), where many heterogeneous devices have to communicate simultaneously, mobile, and in real time: connection interruptions, latency fluctuations due to interference, insufficient bandwidth, and a lack of mobility due to wired communication reduce flexibility.
What is 5G – briefly explained?
5G stands for the fifth generation of mobile communications, which for the first time takes the needs of industry into account in the standard. 5G stands for high bandwidth, low latency, and high reliability. New features such as network slicing make it possible to divide the network into subnetworks and optimize them for the specific requirements of different use cases. Compared to Wi-Fi, private campus networks have the decisive advantage of using reserved frequency ranges, which reduces interference and thus enables stable, secure, and reliable communication.
What does IoT/IIoT mean?
The Internet of Things or Industrial Internet of Things refers to the networking of physical devices (sensors, machines, actuators) with IT and OT systems. The goal is to collect, transmit, and automatically use data, e.g., for automatic image quality checks, predictive maintenance, or autonomous transport systems. 5G plays a key role in scenarios with high device density, mobility, and predictable response times.
What advantages does 5G offer for industry?
- Less production downtime:
- Stable, low-latency communication – ideal for mobile robotics, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and visual quality inspection.
- ~75% higher reliability of private 5G vs. Wi-Fi 6 in live factories (Arendt et al., 2025).
- Flexible production & fast commissioning: Connect machines, cameras, and sensors without rewiring – faster ramp-ups and layout changes.
- Scalable and robust:
- Thousands of devices per location.
- Predictable control of mobile systems: lower jitter with 5G
- (standard deviation 18.5 ms vs. 54.8 ms for Wi-Fi; Reutlingen Center Industry 4.0).
- Secure segmentation: Critical control data in dedicated network areas, separate from office/visitor traffic.
- Accelerated IoT and edge integration: 5G connects heterogeneous devices securely and efficiently – locally or campus-wide.
- Future viability and upgradeability: Compatible with private networks, edge computing, AI pipelines, and predictive analytics.
Our 5G solutions for you
Test 5G risk-free: Nomadic 5G cell
What is the nomadic 5G cell?
The "nomadic 5G cell" enables temporary use of a full-fledged 5G campus network – ideal for testing the technology in your own environment at low cost and with low risk. The service is particularly aimed at companies that want to evaluate the performance and usability of 5G. For SMEs in particular, this is an easy way to get started with 5G without high investment costs.
What components does the 5G test solution include?
To ensure that your test is productive right from the start, the solution includes the following components:
- Mobile server case with complete hardware/software for a 5G campus network (available in different versions on request, including Open RAN).
- On-site commissioning and hands-on training.
- On-site support throughout the deployment period.
- One radio head (antennas) for optimal network coverage.
- Up to 10 preconfigured SIM cards.
- Provision of 5G modules and end devices.
Who benefits from the 5G test solution?
Companies that are planning to use 5G and want to test its performance before a comprehensive implementation. Furthermore, companies that want to familiarize themselves with 5G technology in practice and learn about its advantages without setting up their own network.
How much does the 5G test solution cost?
- NOKIA cell (upon request)
- MECSWARE cell (4 weeks): €7,200*
*A longer provision of the cell can also be arranged for an additional charge.
Planning and optimization of your 5G infrastructure
What components does the 5G intelligent infrastructure include?
- Operator and network concept based on requirements analysis.
- Workshops: current analysis, use case prioritization, roadmap.
- Component and service provider selection including market overview.
- Planning documents, measurements, and heat maps for network coverage.
- Network optimization, signal strength measurements, location recommendations.
- Interdisciplinary support during planning and commissioning.
Who benefits from 5G smart infrastructure?
For companies that want to implement 5G, regardless of the operator concept, as well as for companies that want to optimize an existing 5G network in terms of network coverage and performance.
How much does 5G smart infrastructure cost?
We plan and optimize your 5G infrastructure starting at €29,000.
Basic training and workshop on 5G smart infrastructure
What does the workshop cover?
- Technical background and architectures of 5G.
- Standardization processes and development of a 5G roadmap.
- Presentation of industry-specific 5G use cases and development of own use cases.
- Methods for prioritizing use cases.
What results will you achieve in the workshop?
- In-depth understanding of 5G technology and its applications.
- The ability to assess whether 5G is suitable for your company's needs.
- Ability to evaluate specific 5G applications from a technical and economic perspective.
Who is the workshop suitable for?
This workshop is aimed at professionals with a basic knowledge of network technology who want to expand their knowledge specifically in the area of 5G and its application in campus networks. It is particularly valuable for companies that want to flexibly network their production or process infrastructures.
Format and cost of the workshop
- Duration: 1 day (6–15 participants)
- Cost: 590 euros per participant (online or in-house)
- Group solution from 5,800 euros
Using 5G successfully for your business
Whether you want to test 5G risk-free, implement it directly in a specific case, or set the course with a workshop, we offer flexible solutions ranging from practical formats to complete implementation. Arrange a non-binding initial consultation now.
Sources
Arendt, C., Böcker, S., Schippers, H., Ploch, T., Kuhn, M., Venjakob, V., Hunger, S., & Wietfeld, C. (2025). Towards Future Industrial Connectivity: Evaluation of Private 5G and Wi-Fi Networks in Professional Industrial Environments. In 2025 IEEE 21st International Conference on Factory Communication Systems (WFCS) (Authors' Version). https://doi.org/10.1109/WFCS63373.2025.11077629.
Reutlingen Center Industry 4.0. (n. d.). Exploring Project at the 5G4KMU Transfer Center: 5G4BeeWaTec in intralogistics – Expansion of the BeeWaTec Guided Vehicle product portfolio to include a 5G variant. https://5g4kmu.de/user/pages/06.working-together/02._references/5G4KMU_Steckbrief_EP_BeeWaTec.pdf?g-bc6e5dac=.