Global industrial companies are pushing their investments in 5G private networks, in relation with new research carried out by Nokia and GlobalData, shows 87% of businesses adopting this technology have a return on investment within a year.
The study surveyed 115 organizations across the UK, US, Germany, Japan, and Australia. Therefore, with factories and facilities becoming smarter, private wireless networks and edge computing are being recognized by enterprises as cost-saving and providing secure and reliable connectivity for critical applications.
The technology transforms facilities with cutting-edge 5G private network architecture.
Manufacturing Connectivity Solutions
2025 Industrial Digitalization Report discovered that 68% of companies recovered their investment within six months. A North American oil and gas IT Director “realized cost savings through reduced truck rolls amounting to $5 million per year.”
81% of enterprises found the initial 5G private network deployment was more affordable than other solutions, with over half saving at least 11%. Day-to-day costs were reduced for 86% of the respondents, 60% of whom saved 11% or more.
“GlobalData forecasts the global private wireless network market will nearly double to $8 billion by 2027. This reflects the growing demand as industries face mounting pressure to modernize in line with global sustainability and efficiency goals,” Nokia’s VP of Enterprise Campus Edge Sales, David de Lancellotti stated.
AI, Sustainability in Industrial Networks
Entreprises go for the adoption of 5G private solutions because traditional Wi-Fi is not capable of resisting tough environments.
“You need to be able to really trust the network. 98 percent, 99 percent is not good enough,” IT head of one European nuclear power plant said.
Reliable connections are required for 5G impact on IoT and real-time data transmission. An estimated 94% of industrial companies combine edge computing with 5G IoT connectivity for enabling AI-enabled applications.
Inserting sensors in difficult sports allow edge AI inference, powering predictive maintenance and digital twins. Security remains a top priority. Private networks provide strong encryption and isolation, keeping sensitive data safe.
“Private 5G has been a gamechanger for BASF Antwerp. We’re unlocking automation, strengthening occupational safety, accelerating innovation, and meeting ROI targets in just two years,” BASF’s Antwerp plant leveraged benefits of private 5G, with Steven Werbrouck, Expert Network Connectivity at BASF said.
Also, environmental gains are notable. Among companies that were measuring their impact, 94% had lowered their carbon emissions, with 41% having lowered them by over 20%. Efficient processes, including using drones for inspection, conserve fuel, augmenting industry 4.0 connectivity.
“Private wireless and edge have helped enterprises to improve worker safety, support sustainability, and create a delivery platform for AI-powered solutions such as process automation and predictive maintenance,” Gary Barton, Research Director at GlobalData, said.
Therefore, for companies looking to getting ahead, it became obvious that deploying industrial AI on 5G private networks is no longer an option, meanwhile it is a business imperative.
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