5G is slowly changing the workplace, with Wi-Fi having several drawbacks in industrial settings, including connectivity challenges with the equipment in factories, ports, logistics and distribution centres and construction sites. Gerard Donohue, Chief Technical Officer at Telent, talks about 5G and the future of construction, elaborating how enterprises can meet the wireless needs of many customers today.
5G private networks have quickly become a crucial consideration for fulfilling businesses’ industrial wireless needs. While Wi-Fi is affordable, widely available and provides more than adequate performance for most of our daily connectivity demands, it can have serious limitations when deployed in industrial settings.
Connectivity on modern construction sites is vital for performance and safety reasons. Not only does a network need to be easily adaptable as projects evolve, but it will need to provide reliable connectivity, low latency and high, guaranteed bandwidth at all times for operations to never falter. Wi-Fi’s limited range and potential for coverage drop-offs owing to machinery and metalwork obstructions mean that desired data throughput may not always be achieved. With machines and devices connected in factories, ports, logistics centres and construction sites, the connectivity required must be all encompassing across a large operational environment.
Communications need to be able to withstand any interference from other nearby networks, and a secure and robust network is vital. With 5G, a wireless private network can provide the consistent coverage needs to keep efficiency thriving during the workday and help companies in the construction sector unlock their full potential.
Meeting the connectivity needs of a modern construction worksite
The construction industry is changing at a fast pace and needs to be able to harness this emerging technology to prosper. By leveraging automation and deploying a 5G private network, efficiency can be maximised, health and safety risks reduced and costs saved.
The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025, more than half of all current workplace tasks will be performed by machines in comparison to 29% today. This highlights the viewpoint that many construction operators will look to utilise this technology as soon as possible. Although, in a demanding work environment, this advanced machinery will still require resilient connectivity and low latency to operate at an optimal capacity.
For construction projects, having no delays is critical. One of the first steps when launching a project is achieving site-wide communications that can cover indoor – such as the site office – and outdoor locations of the entire environment. Each construction project has its own set of unique communication needs and if a site was in a greenfield rural location, there may be no existing mobile network coverage. Site operators, therefore, require coverage to deliver ever-present and reliable voice and data connectivity across the site to connect devices, machines and staff.
Previously, the new 5G standards were not available for industrial use cases or readily available for private network deployments. But with these private networks based on the latest technology, they can overcome obstructions that may be pervasive on a busy site and unlock advanced use cases for the industry.
The digital construction workplace
A fully private and well-connected worksite brings a host of innumerable benefits and will enable any application to consistently function at optimal capacity and enhances cost-effectiveness and productivity levels. With access to documentation and data that includes complex 3D site models, regardless of location, the time-consuming burden is diminished of staff having to return to main office locations to download and print construction or design documents. Not only can staff save valuable time to continue with the task at hand, but they can also track site assets accurately. This includes personnel, plant and surveying equipment that brings added safety, site security and provides an overall view for control teams.
With a network that offers low latency and high bandwidth, high-quality video capture can help introduce remotely operated plant and machinery. Advanced video streaming and analysis use cases can also be unlocked and the wider design and construction team can remain updated with the project progress from a single source. A live feed of as-built surveys can be streamed directly to building information modelling (BIM) systems and shared with local or remote offices around the world as the construction site develops.
Furthermore, live data can be streamed to those wearing Augmented Reality headsets on site to show them what the site will eventually look like as the project unfolds. If design or specification changes are required, then remote visual assistance can offer the opportunity to bring together experts remotely to review and agree on them.
Rapidly deployed with reduced complexity
Being able to operate in the most demanding locations, a 5G private network solution can leverage the availability of licensed, low-cost spectrum allocations to simplify radio planning surveys. A solution that can be rapidly deployed is also highly desirable. With 5G private network deployments needing fewer access points, less equipment and cabling is necessary, therefore reducing overall costs and installation complexity. Wireless access points can cover a much greater coverage area than alternative on-premises wireless solutions, such as Wi-Fi.
Consideration must be spent regarding potential operational needs for private wireless coverage once the construction project ends and the site is transferred to the operations phase. If the construction project involves the delivery of a toll road or tunnel, then infrastructure to connect to remote toll booths, or provide neutral host infrastructure for mobile operators need to be considered. This could involve leaving some of the equipment post-construction for subsequent use once the project is live.
5G private networks: The future of construction
With wearable and onboard HD cameras that can be used to monitor the workforce and plant machinery, productivity is heightened. Site managers can also provide enhanced health and safety for its staff. By utilising automated, remotely controlled machinery, workers can wear visor cams to share images with personnel elsewhere onsite. Among the many benefits of automation is the precious time saved, reducing 30% of business time by using AI technology alone. With all this in mind, it is abundantly clear why many construction operators are looking to leverage this advanced technology to transform their sites.
As the construction industry continues to transform at a relentless pace, one thing is clear, 5G private networks are here to stay.
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