Private 5G networks are no longer a future vision. Across the globe, these networks are becoming integral to industries seeking greater control, reliability and performance in their connectivity strategies. Among all sectors, automotive and manufacturing are leading the charge, demonstrating how private 5G is enabling smarter, safer and more efficient operations. From assembly lines to autonomous fleets, the deployment of dedicated cellular infrastructure is reshaping the mobility and industrial landscapes.
In the automotive industry, three major trends are driving transformation: electrification, automation and connectivity. Private 5G plays a critical role in supporting all three. Whether it is through more efficient vehicle production or advanced safety features on the road, 5G is enhancing how vehicles are built and operated.
In the United States, Ford’s historic Rouge complex in Michigan has implemented a 5G-enabled industrial IoT setup powered by AT&T. The integration of edge computing and private 5G provides production line workers with real-time visibility of operations, improving efficiency through immediate access to equipment data and inventory status. The reduced latency and increased bandwidth available with 5G allow fast decision-making and automation across hundreds of machines and sensors on the factory floor.
Similarly in Germany, Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Telefónica and Ericsson to establish a private 5G network at its Factory 56 in Sindelfingen. This deployment enables precise tracking of components and vehicles during production, supports automated guided vehicles and robotic systems, and facilitates predictive maintenance. The improved network performance also ensures that trade secrets and sensitive production data remain secure, with enhanced privacy and data control compared to public networks.
The benefits of 5G go well beyond manufacturing. In the field of automotive safety, 5G is allowing vehicles to interact with each other and with infrastructure in real time. At the University of Michigan’s Mcity testbed, Honda and Verizon are demonstrating how 5G and multi-access edge computing can prevent accidents. For example, sensors at intersections detect pedestrians or emergency vehicles and relay warnings to approaching cars, enabling them to respond immediately. These low-latency communication capabilities are essential to the development of autonomous driving systems and next-generation traffic safety solutions.
Entertainment and connectivity features inside vehicles are also evolving with 5G. General Motors is integrating 5G connectivity into a range of its 2024 models. This allows the delivery of software updates, enhanced infotainment, and data-heavy applications such as real-time navigation and video streaming. The secure and high-speed nature of 5G enables vehicle-to-everything communication and lays the groundwork for autonomous features.
Environmental sustainability is another domain where 5G is starting to make a tangible impact. In Las Vegas and suburban Atlanta, companies like Halo.Car and Beep are piloting electric autonomous vehicles that use T-Mobile’s 5G network for vehicle routing and fleet coordination. These services aim to reduce emissions and traffic congestion by optimising travel routes and eliminating unnecessary trips. The V2X communication supported by 5G ensures these vehicles operate efficiently and safely in dynamic urban environments.
China is taking private 5G even further by scaling deployments across various industrial sectors. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is rolling out another 400 high-level 5G factories in 2024, following previous success in steel, equipment manufacturing, electronics, mining and port operations. These deployments reflect a strong national push to advance the industrial internet by using 5G to connect and automate core processes at massive scale. Ports in particular are benefiting from low-latency, high-reliability wireless systems that manage autonomous cranes, logistics vehicles and safety systems in real time.
The common thread across these deployments is the ability of private 5G networks to deliver deterministic connectivity, giving enterprises control over their data, quality of service and security. As global harmonisation of spectrum advances and the ecosystem of 5G devices matures, more industries are expected to deploy their own private networks. What we are seeing today is just the beginning. Private 5G is proving its value across geographies and sectors, from Detroit to Sindelfingen and from Las Vegas to the port cities of China.
As the momentum continues, organisations that embrace private 5G stand to benefit from the next wave of industrial innovation. The use cases are real, the benefits are measurable, and the future is unfolding now.
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