The rise of 5G in buildings

[edit] Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020/2021 has been the biggest single global event in modern history, impacting most aspects of our lives. A significant change has been the ensuing digital transformation, with many people working remotely as well as shopping, banking and finding entertainment online. It has increased the acceptance of the cloud and boosted the uptake of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

[edit] Building networks

Buildings need networks, and the uptake of IP products and IP controllers has gained share year-on-year. In 2021, this accounts for 65% of the controllers installed with building automation controls (BAC) globally. Most operational technology (OT) networks installed are IP but are often set up as separate networks - one for the building automation system, one for access controls, one for lighting, one for surveillance etc.

The networks are often installed by different subcontractors; the LAN network, surveillance cameras and potentially access controls by one contractor, BMS and HVAC by another and lighting by a third. The systems or VLANs can communicate with one another via a common platform. This setup also provides additional cyber security.

At the Controls-con conference in May 2021, 5G was one of the topics, and real estate experts strongly advised controls companies to embrace it. Their main argument was: why have two networks when you can have one!

[edit] Uptake of 5G in buildings

5G provides high bandwidth, low latency, reliability, broad coverage and a high level of security against cyber attacks. It will have a huge impact in the relatively near future on smart transport systems, autonomous vehicles and in healthcare – enabling virtual medicine and robotic surgery. However, several experts predict a slow uptake of 5G in buildings as LAN and Wi-Fi, particularly Wi-Fi 6 with its support of multi-protocols such as LoRa, BLE, Zigbee and Enocean, provide a cost-effective and reliable solution in buildings for the transmission of large amounts of data.

5G may often be insufficient in buildings as the signal struggles to penetrate glass and other building materials. To extend and boost cellular coverage in buildings, DAS (distributed antenna systems) or small cell technology can be installed, but DAS is only economically viable in very large buildings as the client needs to bring the base stations of all major network operators into the building.

Other issues include the initial investment cost and who will bear this, the carrier, building owner or tenant/occupier? Some providers are looking at pay-as-a-service models. Ownership of data is, as always, a factor that needs to be resolved.

The uptake of 5G is increasing. As of early 2021 there were 220 million 5G subscriptions. Deployment in many countries has been delayed by the COVID crisis, but the uptake of 5G will increase. GSMA predicts 1.8 billion 5G connections by 2026.

For further details of BSRIA’s portfolio of publications, including IoT and BACS, please contact BSRIA Worldwide Market Intelligence using the details below, or view information on recently published reports here.

• BSRIA UK (Europe): wmi@bsria.co.uk; +44 (0) 1344 465 540.
• BSRIA USA (Americas): sales@bsria.com; +1 312 753 6803.
• BSRIA China (China): [email protected]; +86 10 6465 7707.

This article originally appeared on the BSRIA website. It was published in June 2021.

--BSRIA

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• 5G, AI and Big Data Technologies in Construction.
• Augmented reality in construction.
• BACS building automation controls - the information revolution.
• BSRIA articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
• Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator DCIA.
• Internet of things in commercial buildings.
• Smart buildings.
• The impact of artificial intelligence on built environment.

[edit] External resources

• BSRIA, Convergence - IoT in Commercial Buildings 2019.