Glossary · Industrial communication
5G (fifth-generation mobile network)
Also known as: 5G, 5G NR, Fifth-generation mobile communication
German: 5G (5. Mobilfunkgeneration)
In industrial communication, 5G is the fifth generation of cellular mobile communication specified by 3GPP. Besides higher data rates, it defines service classes for ultra-reliable low-latency communication and massive machine-type communication that make it relevant for factory and plant networks.
- Industrial communication
- Standards
In one sentence
5G is the 3GPP fifth-generation mobile standard; its low-latency and machine-type services make it relevant for industrial networks.
Example
A plant connects automated guided vehicles over a 5G network so that navigation commands and status data reach the fleet manager without Wi-Fi roaming gaps.
How it applies
- Engineering: 5G is chosen where mobile assets, large areas or many sensors make cables or Wi-Fi impractical. Designers check which 3GPP release and which features (for example low-latency services or time synchronization) the chosen network and devices actually support, because not every 5G deployment offers all of them.
- Commissioning: Coverage, Latency and Jitter are measured on site under real load; the values promised for the technology are not guaranteed for a specific installation.
- Operation: Cellular networks depend on spectrum, a core network and SIM or eSIM management. Responsibility for these parts must be clear, especially when a mobile network operator is involved.
- Documentation: The documentation team states the supported frequency bands, the network type (public, 5G campus network or Private 5G network) and the measured timing values instead of generic 5G marketing claims. Wireless links used for safety-related data need their own analysis; the radio technology alone does not make a function safe.
5G vs. Wi-Fi 6
Both offer high throughput. 5G uses licensed or locally assigned spectrum with centrally scheduled access and SIM-based identity; Wi-Fi 6 uses unlicensed spectrum and is typically run by the plant's own IT or OT team. The choice depends on mobility, coverage, determinism and operating model.