5G and the Internet of Things: “You can’t manage what you don’t know”
The fifth generation of mobile telecommunications networks (5G) began appearing on the market at the end of 2018 and is now in the process of being widely implemented, generating both expectations and debate.
At the end of 2020 in Spain, around 20% of citizens still had internet coverage below 100 megabytes. Major telecommunications operators such as Vodafone, Telefónica, Orange and Yoigo already offer 5G services in the main cities and expect that a large percentage of the population will soon have access to this technology.
5G represents a significant evolution compared to previous generations of mobile connectivity. It provides improvements in bandwidth, latency and the number of devices that can be connected simultaneously. With speeds of up to 400 MB per second and minimal latency, this technology opens the door to a massive expansion of the Internet of Things.
The Internet of Things connects a wide range of devices, from simple household elements such as light bulbs to complex equipment used in industry, healthcare, entertainment and mobility.
However, the effective monetization of 5G presents several challenges. Telecommunications operators will need new policy frameworks and real-time charging systems capable of managing network resources dynamically and efficiently.
In addition, many enterprise services will require support for complex business models involving multi-step value chains and B2B2X ecosystems. These models demand advanced systems for managing users, services and billing.
The implementation of these new systems also requires changes in organizational structures and operational processes. Companies must adapt their internal frameworks and train employees to take advantage of the new technological environment.
According to a study by the European Commission, the introduction of 5G will generate new categories of services and increase business profitability. It is estimated that the economic impact of 5G in sectors such as automotive, healthcare, transport and utilities could reach 62.5 billion euros in annual direct impact in the European Union by 2025. Including indirect effects, the figure could reach around 113 billion euros.
In this scenario, where the Internet of Things will play a central role, it becomes essential for companies to inventory both their connected and non-connected assets. This information allows organizations to improve asset management, obtain valuable insights and make better strategic decisions.
Today many solutions address specific sector problems, but only a few offer a transversal approach capable of managing assets across different environments.
For companies, knowing the situation of their assets becomes the first step in defining strategies related to IoT and 5G. This visibility allows organizations to plan more efficiently and maximize their investments.
For this reason, TEAMnet, with the participation of CDTI, focused its talent on developing a software platform capable of addressing this new challenge: SIDInet.
SIDInet provides advanced capabilities such as:
• Defining and dynamically parameterizing any type of element and its attributes
• Defining relationships and compatibility between different elements
• Graphical representation of assets for a quick overview of the system status
• Identification of connected elements to simplify asset inventory registration
• Collection and storage of information from connected devices
• Advanced analysis of collected data using Big Data technologies
These capabilities allow organizations to know the real and updated situation of their assets and improve business processes such as telecommunications network deployment, IT infrastructure management, equipment maintenance and IoT asset management.
In addition, having access to this information and implementing appropriate provisioning and update processes will be key to monetizing investments in 5G. Although many potential uses and business models are still evolving, companies must prepare their systems to adapt to these new opportunities.
For this reason, TEAMnet already offers complementary solutions such as BILLnet, which allow companies to dynamically define and configure monetization and billing rules for new digital business models.
