FINAL WORD
James Bristow, SVP EMEA, Cradlepoint
using cloud-based management platforms
is the best way to manage diverse networks
effectively. By accounting for all the different
technologies at play, businesses will reap the
rewards of the full spectrum of connectivity.
2. Enable support for the
full 5G spectrum
As a matter of strategy, network operators
are deploying 5G services across multiple
spectrum bands, including high band
(mmWave), mid-band (sub-6) and low-band
(sub-2). While network operators are relying
on Edge networking vendors to deploy
their services in any band of the spectrum,
enterprises with numerous locations need
the flexibility to deploy the latest wireless
technologies on a by-site basis. By effectively
implementing both the low bands of sub-1GHz
to the higher bands of mmWave, businesses
should be looking to create a bespoke solution
for each of their physical locations.
In practice, a financial institution may
want to transition to a wireless-as-primary
connectivity model by deploying a highband
5G service in its larger metropolitan
branches and a mid-band 5G service in its
suburban branches. In the near term, it
may also run a failover application on lowband
4G or 5G in rural locations. As with
supporting the full spectrum of connectivity
technologies in the first imperative, by
effectively deploying and utilising the
different bands within 5G, businesses will
be able to tailor their services effectively
and with agility.
3. From installation to
implementation – complete
life cycle management
Unlike prior generations, 5G involves a
collection of new technologies, spectrum and
deployment models. It is therefore vital that
businesses choose a networking solution
that not only offers unparalleled reliability
and performance, but also clear visibility
and control over its entire life cycle. Network
operators have invested heavily in creating
reliable, high-performing networks and
businesses should ensure that they are not
wasting that opportunity by using systems
which lack the enterprise-level usability they
are looking for.
As an example, an IT professional installing
a 5G solution (particularly a high-band 5G
solution) knows that the positioning of a
5G adaptor during installation will affect
signal acquisition and therefore network
performance. They understand that the
more endpoints under management, the
higher the complexity. In addition, they
believe that having the right analytical
tools is critical to avoiding issues across
the network, as well as for troubleshooting
further down the line. It is therefore
imperative with 5G that businesses seek
to take on solutions that support the
entire implementation process and its
continual use.
4. Carrier-class connectivity
Although each operator conforms to certain
standards, they implement those standards
differently to gain optimal efficiency and
performance from their network.
Additionally, software from modem
manufacturers is designed to serve multiple
operators within broad markets. Enterprises
depend upon Edge networking vendors to
get the most out of operators’ networks.
An operator may invent a network
technology that accelerates mobile tower
connections and requires end-point
synchronisation, but if the Edge network
vendor does not customise its solution for
this feature, the enterprise will experience
sub-optimal performance. Businesses must
therefore ensure that they are choosing a
solution that provides customised softwaredefined
modem versions for each network
provider’s requirements and capabilities,
pre-programmed endpoints and multilevel
integrity tests to predict vulnerable
connections. By doing this, they will be
securing the full connectivity capabilities
being offered by every network provider
operating within a location.
5. Empowering through hybridity
Although many IT pros will view wired
and wireless Edge platforms as distinctly
different systems, the success of SD-
WAN – Software-Defined Networking in
a wide-area network – is changing that
mindset. With 5G rivalling the fastest
wired connections, enterprises are eager to
expand their wireless WAN connections.
To do this with the best results, businesses
must facilitate effortless wireless
endpoint management in a wired-first
SD-WAN environment as part of a hybrid
network. It would be equally beneficial
for this deployment to include all-in-one
capabilities – routing, embedded wireless
and foundational SD-WAN.
‘Wired-first’ WAN solutions have minimal
control over potentially thousands of
wireless adaptors, while a ‘wirelessfirst’
solution will have robust wireless
capabilities but with little or no wired SD-
WAN capabilities.
By forming a hybrid, enterprises can
make use of those wireless devices while
also leaning on a wired connection as an
inherent part of the network.
A graceful pathway to enterprisegrade
5G
5G technology is pressing ahead within
the context of an uncertain business world.
For organisations looking to reap the
benefits of 5G, a structured and
considered approach is crucial. By
recognising these five imperatives to
enterprise-level 5G networks, organisations
will not only transition gracefully to the
new network paradigm, but will be best
positioned to unlock new operational
efficiencies and offer new experiences
to customers, both of which will be key
to sustained growth in the post-COVID-19
world. The rewards of 5G technologies
are there for the taking; let’s make sure
the opportunity isn’t squandered in
the process. •
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