Reliable, high-performance connectivity is essential in manufacturing and construction, where real-time data, IoT devices, cloud applications, and AI-driven systems are becoming the norm. However, traditional wireless connectivity has struggled to meet the rigorous demands of these industries, often falling short in terms of reliability, security, and performance.
Enter 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)—a game-changer that is beginning to rival fixed broadband as the second-largest 5G use case for mobile operators. While 5G FWA delivers faster speeds and lower latency than previous wireless technologies, it still faces significant challenges, such as weather interference, line-of-sight issues, and deployment constraints. These limitations make enterprise-grade connectivity difficult to achieve, particularly in industrial and remote environments.
This is where SD-WAN, powered by VeloCloud, transforms the landscape. By intelligently managing wireless connectivity, SD-WAN turns 5G FWA into a robust, enterprise-ready solution for manufacturing plants, industrial IoT networks, construction sites, and remote project offices.
The Connectivity Challenges in Manufacturing and Construction
Manufacturing: Keeping Smart Factories Online
Modern manufacturing facilities rely on automation, robotics, AI-driven analytics, and real-time monitoring systems to maintain efficiency. However, these technologies require consistent, high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity to function properly. Challenges include:
- Unstable network performance disrupting IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications.
- Latency-sensitive applications such as AI-driven defect detection and predictive maintenance requiring real-time data flow.
- Cloud-based manufacturing execution systems (MES) struggling with unreliable wireless links.
- Security risks in an increasingly connected production environment.
Construction: Powering Digital Sites with Seamless Connectivity
Construction sites, often in remote or temporary locations, depend on wireless networks for connected equipment, cloud applications, and on-site collaboration tools. Challenges include:
- Fluctuating network conditions due to site mobility and environmental factors.
- Latency-sensitive workloads, including real-time design collaboration, AR/VR applications for visualisation, and drone-based site mapping.
- High bandwidth demand from AI-enhanced project management tools and on-site digital documentation.
- Security concerns as more operational data is transmitted wirelessly across multiple locations.
How SD-WAN Makes 5G FWA Enterprise-Grade
SD-WAN, powered by VeloCloud, bridges the gap between the promise of 5G FWA and the real-world requirements of manufacturing and construction.
Dynamic Multipath Optimisation (DMPO): Enhancing Reliability
One of VeloCloud’s key features, Dynamic Multipath Optimisation (DMPO), ensures reliable, high-quality connectivity by dynamically monitoring and adjusting traffic flows in real time. Benefits include:
- Voice applications experience up to a 61% improvement in link quality, ensuring crystal-clear calls between field teams and headquarters.
- Video applications improve by up to 90%, supporting seamless remote inspections and virtual site walkthroughs.
- AI-driven automation and industrial IoT devices remain stable, preventing data packet loss and latency spikes that could disrupt operations.
Intelligent Traffic Management: Prioritising Critical Workloads
VeloCloud SD-WAN ensures that mission-critical applications receive priority and optimal network resources. Key capabilities include:
- Prioritisation of essential applications such as cloud-based project management tools, remote-controlled machinery, and AI-driven production systems.
- Automatic traffic steering to the most reliable available network (5G FWA, fibre, or satellite), preventing downtime in remote or mobile work environments.
- Bandwidth conservation by throttling or blocking non-essential applications (e.g., social media, streaming services) to maximise performance for business-critical workloads.
Security-First Approach: Protecting Industrial and Construction Networks
SD-WAN extends enterprise-grade security to manufacturing plants and construction sites, even when using wireless connectivity.
- End-to-end encryption ensures secure data transmission across distributed industrial networks.
- Uniform security policies can be enforced across multiple locations, ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
- Integration with advanced security frameworks protects against cyber threats targeting industrial and operational technology (OT) networks.
The Future: AI-Driven Network Optimisation with SD-WAN
As AI-powered automation and IoT adoption continue to expand in manufacturing and construction, SD-WAN will become even more critical. Broadcom’s VeloCloud SD-WAN is evolving with new innovations such as:
- Dynamic Application-Based Slicing (DABS): Ensuring that applications like AI-powered defect detection, AR-assisted construction, and drone-based monitoring get dedicated network slices for optimised performance.
- AI-powered network estimation (VeloRAIN): Predicting network conditions and automatically adjusting parameters to maintain the highest possible performance.
- Deep integration with mobile network providers: Enabling prioritisation of industrial and construction applications at the network level, ensuring quality of experience even in challenging environments.
Conclusion: Future-Proofing Connectivity for Manufacturing & Construction
For industries where real-time data, automation, and remote operations are critical, traditional wireless solutions alone are not enough. Digital Carbon, as a Co-Managed Service Provider of VeloCloud SD-WAN and wireless connectivity, enables manufacturers and construction firms to harness the full potential of 5G FWA without compromise.
By integrating SD-WAN intelligence, traffic optimisation, and security enhancements, we ensure that wireless networks are enterprise-grade, reliable, and ready to support the next generation of industrial innovation.
If you would like to learn more schedule a call with one of our experts, and start to benefit from Wireless Connectivity with VeloCloud SD-WAN
