Local companies are set to embrace the future of operational efficiency, safety and productivity. Vox has announced its role in the introduction of private 5G to the South African market amid the expected growth of the global private 5G network market from US$1,92 billion in 2022 to US$27,87 billion by 2030.
Through strategic partnerships with internet connectivity solutions providers, Vox will soon offer private 5G networks across multiple sectors, revolutionising enterprise connectivity towards further growth and innovation. Head of wireless at Vox, Theo van Zyl, says the opportunities with private 5G within the South African context are extensive.
“The benefits and opportunities of private 5G are applicable to most sectors from augmented reality (AR) and drone technology to automated cars and smart cities. Yet it is the potential of private 5G to revolutionise automation, mining and manufacturing in South Africa that will have the most impact.”
Private 5G technology offers wide coverage over many locations and, as these networks run over licensed controlled spectrum, SLAs can be included, giving clients complete control of network traffic with the ability to manage capacity accurately by prioritising certain traffic or applications over their networks.
Private 5G is the next step in digitally transforming the South African technology industry
Private 5G and Wi-Fi together enable seamless, game-changing enterprise wireless experiences. This integration allows for smooth handovers between the two technologies, ensuring uninterrupted workflows and eliminating connection drops. Private 5G provides reliable, tailored networks for mission-critical applications while Wi-Fi handles high-density devices and less demanding tasks, resulting in a layered, cost-effective and congestion-free network solution.
Revolutionising the user experience
Private 5G offers ultra-fast data transfer rates, enabling lightning-speed downloads, seamless streaming and real-time responsiveness for applications such as AR/virtual reality and automation. Its low latency is critical for applications requiring instant response times such as remote surgery and autonomous vehicles. Private 5G networks provide enhanced security features, including SIM-based authentication, reducing the need for passwords and preventing unauthorised access.
Additionally, it enhances edge computing capabilities, bringing computing storage and analytics closer to the data source. By combining private 5G with Wi-Fi, organisations can create a holistic, low-latency environment with robust security protocols.
Craig Blignaut, Wi-Fi product manager at Vox, says organisations set on implementing world-class automation will truly welcome this capability now available through a private 5G network.
Van Zyl cites an example: Volkswagen has deployed a private 5G network at its main plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, to boost competitive expertise and ensure data security. This network extends throughout the 6,5 square kilometre plant site, automating over 5 000 industrial robots in addition to the other machines and systems.
“We couldn’t be more optimistic about our partnerships and what this means for customers looking for complete control over their networks, tailored for their specific requirements,” Blignaut says.
