5G's efficiency and productivity benefits coming soon for engineering companies

Alongside Industry 4.0, smart factory and industrial digitalisation, the term Industrial Internet of Things IIoT has also grown in prominence over recent years. Broadly, IIoT refers to devices and equipment in industrial settings that have been fitted with sensors and other instrumentation, and then networked together to gather and share data, and to carry out connected operations. These networks are both wired and wireless and often consist of multiple types of communication technologies – for example, industrial SMS and other computer network protocols such as fieldbus systems. However, 5G promises to revolutionise IIoT and help companies increase their productivity. According to Digital Catapult, the UK’s leading advanced digital technology innovation centre, 5G has the potential to contribute up to £15.7bn a year to the UK economy by 2025.