Wi-Fi's vital contribution to industrial connectivity in the age of private 5G

Wi-Fi is here to stay. Even as enterprises increasingly adopt 4.9G/LTE and 5G private wireless networks to support the ultra-reliable, low latency needs of Industry 4.0, such as autonomous robots and predictive maintenance use cases, Wi-Fi remains an essential part of their holistic industrial wireless connectivity strategy to keep their sites connected. Here’s why…

Wi-Fi’s essential role in industrial operations

Think of Wi-Fi as the workhorse for your non-critical but essential connectivity needs. It supports many applications, including:

• Worker connectivity: Deskless workers rely on Wi-Fi for digital workflows and use it to access documentation, training materials, and non-essential communication tools. It can also power digital signage and provide access to factory operational systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
• Office networks: Staff and contractors in non-production areas, including office spaces and break rooms, benefit from seamless internet access with cost-effective, easy-to-deploy Wi-Fi connectivity.
• Surveillance and monitoring: Wi-Fi connects static security cameras and environmental sensors where real-time performance isn’t crucial.
• Data Showers: Wi-Fi is ideal for short-range downloading of software, maps and other data during the manufacturing process of vehicles, for example.

A Wi-Fi network that delivers more

Not every Wi-Fi network is created equal. Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7 offer big performance improvements over older standards, such as Wi-Fi 5. Significantly higher capacity, improved security, speed and scalability support today’s connectivity demands of IT and non-critical operational technology (OT) applications at industrial sites.

But even this latest technology has limitations. Coverage constraints, limited mobility, susceptibility to interference and performance drops as more devices connect, make it unsuitable for critical industrial applications. Wi-Fi should therefore be viewed as just one essential component within a holistic industrial wireless connectivity strategy that maximizes the capabilities of multiple technologies to meet the diverse needs of Industry 4.0 use cases.

Better together: A unified industrial wireless connectivity platform

Within such a holistic connectivity strategy Wi-Fi delivers more than connectivity for non-critical use cases. Enriched with additional connectivity layers and capabilities, it becomes integral to your operations and, combined with business-critical private wireless, is a powerhouse for supporting demanding Industry 4.0 applications.

Our industrial wireless connectivity platform is designed with heterogeneous environments in mind. Any industrial site – mines, busy port terminals, or chemical manufacturing plants - has distinct business requirements, use case needs, legacy technologies and unique site characteristics. Because no one size fits all, we offer a flexible and versatile industrial wireless connectivity platform that elevates your Wi-Fi and overall wireless networking approach. Our solution includes:

Latest Wi-Fi technology: Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) WiFi offers the latest Wi-Fi technology as a service for non-critical applications, delivering free access to over a Gigahertz of additional spectrum. Indoor and outdoor access points from our partner Askey ensure reliable connectivity. Through our partner Aprecomm, we simplify Wi-Fi network management and real-time AI-based network optimization, adding an important service layer to Nokia DAC WiFi.

Business-critical private wireless: Nokia DAC Private Wireless 4.9G/LTE and 5G is designed to connect your critical operational assets. It provides low-latency, high-performance connectivity with pervasive coverage and high reliability, scalability and mobility.

Multi-layer connectivity: A combined networking approach of Wi-Fi and private wireless ensures the right connectivity capabilities are available at the right place at the right time. Using Nokia MX Boost, you can also combine Wi-Fi and private wireless and use both technologies simultaneously. Maximizing capacity, reliability and mobility, MX Boost supports the performance requirements of any Industry 4.0 application. Two examples are:

• At Ports: Private wireless connects mobile assets, autonomous vehicles and worker safety solutions outdoors and within warehouses, with Wi-Fi also supporting worker information systems at the warehouse. Using MX Boost aggregation mode, port operators benefit from enhanced data capacity to support real-time high-definition video feeds for remote-controlled gantry crane operation.

• At Automotive Plants: Private wireless supports site-wide automation and Industry 4.0 needs. Wi-Fi enables faster uploads of large data sets to vehicles, such as firmware and software, at specific sections of the production line. MX Boost mobility mode supports reliable handovers for connected forklift trucks moving between Wi-Fi and private wireless coverage areas.

On-premises industrial edge: Instead of running your networks on separate hardware platforms, you can operate your Wi-Fi, private wireless and MX Boost networks on MX Industrial Edge (MXIE), a single unified edge. This means all data from across your operation, whether connected with Wi-Fi or private wireless, flows through the same edge platform, creating a centralized data hub. You can easily deploy rich applications and scale new use cases, garnering additional value from all your data.

Streamlined network management: With Nokia DAC you have a single pane of glass from which to manage all your wireless connectivity layers. This makes ongoing operation and maintenance significantly easier and less time-consuming.

Network Digital Twin: Nokia Network Digital Twin runs on MXIE to add critical network planning and management capabilities to your operations, through a virtual representation of your network performance across your operating environment. You can monitor your Wi-Fi and private wireless network in real-time based on the performance your devices are experiencing and understand, for example, how the network will perform with the deployment of new use cases.

The need for Wi-Fi within a holistic wireless connectivity strategy is undisputed

While it may not be the backbone of Industry 4.0, Wi-Fi’s importance for industrial connectivity cannot be disputed. Enterprises should not rely on one technology but select the best characteristics from their available technology mix to support all use cases. Leveraging such a holistic wireless connectivity strategy you set the foundation for successful digitalization and automation across your critical and non-critical applications.

Find out more about Wi-Fi’s role in a holistic industrial wireless connectivity strategy by visiting the Nokia booth in Hall 14, Stand H80 during Hannover Messe 31 March – 4 April.

Don’t miss out on our limited-time offer on Nokia DAC Wi-Fi, with free Wi-Fi subscriptions and bulk discounts on access points. Click here to learn more.