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If the pandemic has proven anything in business, it is that digitization and connectivity are the here and now. According to a global survey by McKinsey of executives, the Covid crisis accelerated digital adoption by seven years.

The most obvious next step in this process is the installation of the UK’s fifth generation 5G cellular network. Despite the government’s decision to veto the use of Huawei devices, which has delayed national rollout, many experts believe now is the right time for companies to prepare. But where do you start?

The rollout plan

In mid-2019, the UK was one of the first countries to start rolling out a public 5G network, initially focusing on cities. About 10% of the total area of ​​the country has been covered so far. The government has set a goal of removing all Huawei technology by the end of 2027.

Robert Franks is the executive director of West Midlands 5G, which is part of the government’s testing program. Though Huawei’s decision was a setback, it believes that 5G public coverage could reach critical mass in just two years, although it could take much longer to roll out in rural areas.

Franks notes that 5G will be available in a number of versions, each with different features. “While some advanced features are available today depending on the nature of the benefits needed, a company may prefer to wait for these additional versions,” he says.

Who should oversee a company’s 5G rollout?

Every business transformation needs someone to lead it. While the CIO typically takes responsibility for a technology-based project, it is important to think beyond those responsible for the IT infrastructure, as the adoption of 5G will enable a company to develop new goods and services. That says Frederic Huet, partner at telecommunications consultancy Altman Solon.

“The connectivity that 5G offers is clearly linked to product development as well as the supply chain. Avoid silos and encourage cross-departmental collaboration, ”he advises.

Huet emphasizes the importance of not looking at 5G in isolation. There are many opportunities in combination with technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics and the Internet of Things.

Create a 5G strategy

It’s important to understand the capabilities and potential use cases of 5G before developing a detailed business strategy based on that, says Ian Bouquet-Taylor, Operations Director at AE Aerospace, who urges companies to “really think before you start.”

His company is partnering with West Midlands 5G, Ericsson and BT to implement three 5G use cases aimed at increasing operational efficiencies, creating new revenue streams, and improving both cash flow and working capital. These projects are part of a plan to double AE Aerospace’s sales over the next three years.

The company had a series of talks for two months about what 5G could do for it that Wi-Fi couldn’t, recalls Bouquet-Taylor.

“This is important because we are building a private 5G network and investing in sensors, servers and other technologies, which is expensive for an SME,” he says. “We therefore have to know how high the return on investment will be.”

Once a clear plan is in place, a company would be well advised to use one of the government-sponsored 5G testbeds, says Franks. “This gives you a practical understanding of what the technology can do and what is required to implement and operate it before you have to invest large sums of money.”

Bouquet-Taylor agrees. “Start small, test that it works, and then expand,” he advises. For example, AE Aerospace is testing a new 5G application on five of the 19 machines in its factory floor. This means that digital and manual systems can be operated in parallel so that not all machines would be affected if something went wrong.

Find the right 5G partners

Next, companies need to think about sourcing the technology and consider whether to use a public or private 5G network, advises Huet.

“It depends on the company’s evolving needs,” he says. “Ask yourself: do we need wider coverage or something more localized? And would it make sense for us to have a private network with regard to the price per megabyte or connection? Almost all companies are most likely to have a good contract with a network operator. ”

A company could choose to start on the public network for trials and then switch to a private network if it makes financial sense, Huet suggests.

Always be application-oriented instead of chasing a technology just because it’s new

Anthony Karydis is the founder and CEO of Mativision, which is partnering with the state’s Testbed program to make its immersive content platforms 5G-enabled. He believes that using a public network poses a significant risk to businesses, including his own.

For the 5G Festival, a virtual live music event planned for early 2022, Mativision will connect artists across the country. “It depends entirely on the availability of 5G coverage in each artist’s home. Without this, many applications will not work, ”he says.

There is also the question of whether or not to choose a managed service provider. “The former offers simplicity as a single partner is responsible for the entire service,” explains Franks. “Doing this independently gives you more control and customization, but your skills have to be high.”

According to Paul Beastall, Technology Strategy Director at Cambridge Consultants, many companies are unlikely to have all the skills they need in-house, especially in the short term.

“We need more skills in the industry,” he says. “This is a technical growth area.”

Beware of the common 5G traps

While 5G is an exciting technology that makes a lot of promises, breaking the hype is important, warns Beastall.

“My appeal is always for people to be application-oriented instead of chasing a technology just because it’s new,” he says. “Testbeds are a great way to connect with both independent experts and users of the technology to find out more about what it can do for your business.”

It’s also important to manage employee expectations and invest in their training, Franks says. He learned this after West Midlands 5G, in partnership with BT and the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, conducted a ‘connected ambulance’ study that enabled paramedics to perform remote ultrasound scans over the 5G network. One of the participants noted that it would be impossible to use the technology without paramedics involved in paramedic training.

“It is crucial that executives think about the necessary change management and process reengineering, especially when people are involved,” emphasizes Franks.

To that end, AE Aerospace will be working with Aston University next year on a program designed to transform both processes and behavior, according to Bouquet-Taylor, who says the 5G project was its only focus for two months.

“This can be very tedious, so it takes time and technical support,” he says. “It’s not the same as 4G. It’s not like opening a box and putting something in. “