Finding a Path to 5.5G and 6G Adoption in Process Control (Download)
5G has been around for years and has seen some adoption in process applications. Now on the horizon, likely with extensive use of optical transmission, is 6G and in the near term, 5.5G.
Sometimes called “5G-Advanced,” 5.5G is being positioned as a bridge between today’s 5G and full 6G. In process control and industrial automation, it unlocks some specific use cases because it combines ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), enhanced uplink capacity, high device density, and integrated AI/ML support. In short, 5.5G enables process industries to go beyond monitoring and use wireless for control — something that standard 5G struggled to guarantee consistently.