Industrial enterprises face increasing pressure to secure complex facilities while keeping operations efficient and resilient. From monitoring expansive sites to ensuring quality control on the production line, connected devices play a vital role. Yet, traditional wired and Wi-Fi networks often fall short in these demanding environments.
That’s where private 5G networks for industrial IoT are changing the game — enabling enterprises to combine advanced AI vision with secure, reliable connectivity.
Why Private 5G Matters for Industrial IoT
Private 5G provides more than fast connectivity. It offers enterprises a dedicated, controlled wireless environment designed for mission-critical industrial use cases. Unlike Wi-Fi or public cellular, private 5G gives IT and operations leaders the ability to manage coverage, latency and security with precision.
Key benefits include:
- Coverage for large, complex facilities — Supporting yard operations, warehouses and outdoor perimeters
- Deterministic performance — Ensuring video feeds, sensors and AI applications receive the bandwidth they need
- Stronger security — With SIM-based authentication and enterprise-controlled access
- Flexibility — Allowing enterprises to adapt quickly as operations expand or shift
Real-World Applications: AI Vision and Perimeter Security
In a 2025 A3-hosted webinar, Digi International joined Celona and Verkada to explore how private 5G networks empower industrial IoT solutions. Several compelling applications stood out:
- Automated gate entry — Vehicles gain secure access through license plate recognition, reducing reliance on staffed guard stations
- Contractor and visitor management — Cloud-based access control simplifies onboarding, check-ins and compliance
- Truck payload verification — AI-enabled cameras confirm loading accuracy, cutting down on costly disputes
- Remote monitoring — Operations teams can track production and logistics across vast sites, improving uptime and safety
These examples show how industrial IoT devices and AI vision systems thrive when paired with private 5G networks that guarantee reliability and low latency.
Digi’s Role: Ruggedized Edge Connectivity
Digi IX40 — link outdoor cameras, AGVs, sensors and legacy machines directly into private 5G networks.
Through deep software integrations with Celona, Digi solutions deliver:
- MicroSlicing™ for QoS — Prioritizing traffic for video surveillance and AI workloads
- Supernetting support — Ensuring network visibility across both new and legacy devices
- Multi-WAN flexibility — Combining cellular, satellite and other links for reliable backhaul in remote or temporary sites
This ensures enterprises can confidently extend industrial IoT systems across diverse environments.
A Flexible, Future-Ready Architecture
Together, Digi, Celona and Verkada are helping enterprises reimagine perimeter security and industrial IoT with a complete solution:
- Celona private 5G LAN — Secure, enterprise-controlled wireless backbone
- Verkada AI vision platform — Hybrid cloud analytics and monitoring for smarter decision-making
- Digi industrial routers and edge devices — Ruggedized connectivity that bridges legacy and modern equipment
This architecture ensures organizations can adapt quickly to evolving security challenges while maximizing the value of their IoT data.
Conclusion
Enterprises today need more than cameras on the fence line — they need private 5G networks for industrial IoT that bring together AI vision, secure connectivity and operational flexibility. By combining Digi’s industrial edge solutions with Celona’s 5G LAN and Verkada’s AI vision platform, organizations gain a resilient foundation for both security and efficiency.
What are private 5G networks?
A private 5G network is a dedicated cellular network that provides enterprises with high-speed, low-latency wireless connectivity. Unlike public 5G, it is deployed and managed by an organization for its exclusive use, ensuring greater control, security, and performance. Learn more in our private 5G networks blog post.
Why are private 5G networks important for industrial IoT?
Industrial IoT applications — such as robotics, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), predictive maintenance, and digital twins — require:
- Ultra-low latency for real-time responsiveness
- High bandwidth for massive sensor and video data
- Reliable coverage across large facilities
- Robust security for mission-critical operations
Private 5G networks deliver these capabilities better than Wi-Fi or legacy LTE.
How does private 5G differ from Wi-Fi and public 5G?
- Wi-Fi: Easy to deploy but limited in reliability, mobility, and security
- Public 5G: Offers high performance but relies on carriers, limiting customization and control
- Private 5G: Combines the best of both—high performance, enterprise control, and tailored coverage
What industries benefit most from private 5G?
Industries with critical connectivity demands, such as:
- Manufacturing and smart factories
- Logistics and warehouses
- Energy and utilities
- Mining and oil and gas
- Healthcare and smart hospitals
- Transportation hubs (ports, airports, rail yards)
What are the main use cases in industrial IoT?
- Autonomous mobile robots and AGVs
- AR/VR for training and remote support
- Predictive maintenance through real-time sensor monitoring
- Video analytics and AI-enabled quality control
- Workforce safety systems and wearables
What spectrum options are available for private 5G and LTE?
Spectrum availability depends on region:
- CBRS (3.5 GHz) in the U.S.
- Anterix (900 MHz) across the contiguous United States, including Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico
- Licensed industrial spectrum in Europe (e.g., Germany’s 3.7–3.8 GHz band)
- Shared/unlicensed spectrum in some regions
Organizations can acquire spectrum directly or through partnerships with carriers.
What infrastructure is required to deploy private 5G?
Key components include:
- Radio access network (RAN): Base stations, small cells, antennas
- Core network: On-premises or cloud-based, managing authentication, data, and traffic
- Edge computing: Localized processing for low-latency applications
- Devices: Industrial IoT sensors, robots, cameras, and worker devices with 5G modules
How secure is private 5G compared to other networks?
Private 5G enhances security with:
- SIM/eSIM-based authentication
- End-to-end encryption
- Enterprise-controlled traffic management
- Network slicing for workload isolation
This is more secure and manageable than Wi-Fi.
What are the challenges of adopting private 5G?
- High initial investment in infrastructure
- Integration with legacy systems and protocols
- Spectrum licensing complexities
- Need for skilled resources in deployment and management
How does private 5G support Industry 4.0?
Private 5G provides the connectivity backbone for Industry 4.0 by enabling automation, digital twins, real-time analytics, and AI-driven decision-making, allowing enterprises to increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and scale innovation.
See our Industry 4.0 eBook for more information.
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