It\u2019s important to understand that 5G isn\u2019t a specific tool or service. Nor is it something you can simply \u201cturn on.\u201d Instead, it\u2019s a standard for defining how devices should communicate via cellular networks.<\/p>\n
Why are Businesses Adopting 5G?<\/h2>\n
When properly implemented, 5G promises a range of benefits for businesses. The most important include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Faster data transmission speeds<\/strong>, which means devices can send data over the network more quickly.<\/li>\n
- Lower latency<\/strong>, meaning smaller delays between when a device sends information and when another device receives it.<\/li>\n
- Higher network capacity<\/strong>, allowing more data to be exchanged over the network at once. By extension, more devices can use the network at once without overwhelming it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These advantages make 5G networking especially valuable for businesses that want to deploy devices across a wide area and connect them together using cellular networking technology \u2013 as they might if they are pursuing use cases such as autonomous vehicles or conducting surgical operations across wide distances. Both \u200cscenarios are examples of situations where high network reliability and transfer speeds are critical. Even just a momentary blip or a small amount of data loss could be fatal when you\u2019re dealing with self-driving cars or operations that take place over the network.<\/p>\n
\n\n![\"Whitepaper](\"https:\/\/www.msp360.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/IT-Security-Assessment-1.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"CTA\"](\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/5442029\/6cae84c3-fb62-47b1-a1f2-6744125b00e5.png\")
<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\nIT Security Assessment Checklist<\/div>\n\nAssess vulnerabilities and threats, network security, workspace and equipment security, documentation, and more. The pack includes:<\/p>\n
- \n
- a ready-to-print PDF file<\/li>\n
- an Excel file to help create a customizable assessment resource<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The 5G Opportunities for MSPs<\/h2>\n
Although 5G technology is promising, many businesses have yet to take full advantage of it. As of 2021, 5G adoption rates<\/a> in most parts of the world lingered in the single digits, despite a lot of hype about the potential of 5G<\/a>.<\/p>\n
While slow 5G adoption may be disappointing to proponents of the technology, it creates an opportunity for MSPs, who can help organizations overcome the barriers that have stopped them from implementing 5G to date. Specifically, MSPs can offer services such as the following.<\/p>\n
Network Assessment<\/h3>\n
Some businesses may be reluctant to invest in 5G technology because they\u2019re not sure whether they really need it. They may not require the level of network performance that 5G offers.<\/p>\n
MSPs can help companies determine whether 5G is worth it by performing network assessments for clients. By identifying the \u200cdevices businesses use and the network performance that the businesses require, MSPs can make accurate ROI estimates for companies considering 5G adoption.<\/p>\n
Further reading<\/span> Network Audit Guide<\/a><\/p>\n
Network Design<\/h3>\n
Because 5G is a \u200cnew type of networking technology, it will require some organizations to redesign their network architectures. Here again, MSPs can be of service by helping customers determine which changes they should make to their networks to take full advantage of 5G.<\/p>\n
Further reading<\/span> Guide to Network Design<\/a><\/p>\n
Mobile Device Management<\/h3>\n
Because 5G networks can accommodate more devices, 5G is likely to result in even more mobile devices within business settings. For MSPs, this creates an opportunity to double-down on Mobile Device Management<\/a> (MDM) services that they offer to clients.<\/p>\n
Migration to Mobile Computing<\/h3>\n
By making it possible to achieve very high levels of network performance across wide areas, 5G will allow some businesses to migrate more workloads to distributed or edge infrastructures. Applications or devices that previously had to run on a local network due to the performance limitations of wide area networks can more feasibly operate over long distances using 5G.<\/p>\n
This means that more businesses may require migration services for moving workloads from conventional environments to mobile devices. MSPs who specialize in migration can help.<\/p>\n
Data Backup for Distributed Devices<\/h3>\n
By a similar token, 5G is likely to spawn greater demand for data backup services that rely on cellular networks to move data across large distances. Whereas in the past, it may not have been practical to perform remote data backups for devices that depended on cellular connections, 5G changed this by enabling much higher rates of data transfer.<\/p>\n
For MSPs in the managed backup and recovery service, 5G could open new opportunities for bringing network-based backup to infrastructures that could not previously support it.<\/p>\n
Explore more resources<\/h3>\n
Linux offers great advantages but is not always the right solution for MSPs.<\/span><\/a> Below are four reasons why Linux may not work well for your MSP business. \u00a0To stay competitive, MSPs must prioritize 5 ways 5G networking opens new frontiers for MSPs<\/span><\/a>, from edge computing migrations to real-time device backups that minimize downtime in distributed IT operations. Implementing 6 ways to minimize downtime in IT operations<\/span><\/a> through proactive monitoring and hybrid strategies is essential, particularly when paired with advanced enhanced hybrid backup features<\/span><\/a> in tools like MSP360 Backup, which now include new real-time backup functionality<\/span><\/a> for near-continuous data protection. Yet, amid rising cyber threats, asking are you doing enough for cybersecurity<\/span><\/a> prompts a deeper dive into adopting a security-first approach<\/span><\/a>, where strategies like air-gap vs. immutable backups<\/span><\/a> provide ransomware-resilient layers. For cost-effective archiving, transitioning to AWS S3 Glacier storage class instead of AWS S3 Glacier vaults<\/span><\/a> offers a step ahead in scalability, while developers managing Azure resources might debate Azure CLI vs. PowerShell<\/span><\/a> for automation efficiency.<\/p>\n
- Lower latency<\/strong>, meaning smaller delays between when a device sends information and when another device receives it.<\/li>\n