The enterprise revenue opportunity for 5G relies on revolutionary new use cases for business applications, which AT&T is well-positioned to address. At present, the impact of enterprise 5G use cases is hard to quantify from a financial perspective. However, it is widely acknowledged that, over time, enterprises will drive the majority of 5G revenue for carriers like AT&T.
AT&T is ideally positioned to gain strong market share in enterprise 5G use cases, given the deep relationships it already has established with medium- and large-sized enterprises, across multiple business lines.
Below we detail four specific industries where AT&T is leading in enterprise 5G use cases, across the United States. Specifically, AT&T is focused on enterprise 5G use cases, for business applications, including manufacturing, healthcare, entertainment, and augmented reality.
(1) Manufacturing – Smart Factory – AT&T Enterprise 5G Use Case
AT&T and Samsung launched a 5G Innovation Zone at Samsung Austin Semiconductor, a semiconductor fabrication facility. Indeed, the purpose of this launch was to demonstrate 5G’s Impact on the Smart Factory, with use cases including robotics, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and mixed reality. The goal of the Innovation Zone is to develop 5G use cases designed to improve efficiency, safety, security, and operational performance within the manufacturing industry.
READ MORE: How the Industrial Internet of Things is Transforming Business
All over the United States, manufacturing facilities collect data from thousands of machines. Adding 5G technology enables manufacturers to enhance the scale and volume of data collection, improve process flexibility by eliminating wires, and improve the ability to process data in near real-time. Indeed, 5G’s increased bandwidth and reduced latency improves efficiency and performance on the production floor. In, turn, 5G helps predict issues before they occur.
Additionally, safety in the factory improves as 5G’s lower latency enables critical data to get to emergency responders without lag or delay.
Specific applications of 5G for the Smart Factory include:
Health and Environmental Sensors – Keeping Employees Safe at Work
5G and Internet of Things sensors helps first responders better locate employees and speed-up response time in an emergency situation. Additionally, 5G’s capacity and reliability can communicate the status of an injured person’s vitals such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, directly to first responders during the critical first hour. In turn, this results in faster, more efficient care.
Automated Material Handling – Robotics
Advanced manufacturing facilities use automated processes and robotics equipment throughout their production process. Indeed, the combination of 5G, 4K live video, and Internet of Things sensor data, can provide more support to the factory automation process.
For example, 5G can enable large-scale, near real-time monitoring and proactive maintenance of factory automation equipment, helping to improve production. Specifically, Automated Material Handling systems equipped with Internet of Things sensors and 4K wireless cameras can perform remote monitoring of factory automation equipment.
With 5G, these Automated Material Handling systems could be equipped with a full suite of devices to collect important data on acceleration, position, temperature, humidity, and gas flow rates.
Mixed Reality – Training and Education
Mixed reality technology uses tools such as wireless augmented reality glasses to function. Importantly, it is the low latency delivery of content from the edge, over the 5G network, that provides this untethered experience.
In turn, new use cases arise, such as virtually training hundreds of employees through mixed reality. Specifically, mixed reality allows for immersive and immediate access to equipment diagnostics, as well as directions for repairs.
(2) Healthcare – Connected Hospital – AT&T Enterprise 5G Use Case
AT&T and Chicago-based Rush University Medical Center are working to bring the first standards-based 5G-enabled hospital to the United States. Indeed, 5G helps the medical center use mobile applications in technology-driven therapies. Furthermore, 5G improves hospital operations as well as provide the highest quality patient and staff experience.
Specific applications of 5G for the Connected Hospital include:
Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) and 5G
Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) and 5G enables Rush to manage its wireless traffic over both its local area network (LAN) and its wide area network (WAN). In turn, this has many benefits for the connected hospital. Firstly, Rush is able to better satisfy the network communications and application processing needs for its data. Secondly, Rush enhances the various use cases across its system. Thirdly, Rush helps improve patient experience.
Telemedicine and Virtual Healthcare
The high-speed and low-latency capabilities of 5G technology help enable care to be virtually delivered, anywhere and at any time. In turn, this enhances access to care, even from long distances, while also helping to decrease costs and improve efficiency. For example, a doctor is able to perform a virtual visit with a patient while simultaneously downloading an entire MRI scan, within seconds.
Connected Hospital
In the connected hospital, rooms are intelligently scheduled, patient care is enhanced with artificial intelligence, and augmented reality is used in training medical students.
(3) Entertainment Venues – Fan Experience – AT&T Enterprise 5G Use Case
AT&T is re-inventing the live sports experience through 5G at AT&T Stadium, home to the Dallas Cowboys. Indeed, augmented reality and 5G are used to bring fans closer to the action. Notably, AT&T Stadium was the United States’ first 5G-enabled stadium and uses AT&T’s 5G+ network, on high-band (millimeter wave spectrum).
Specific examples of some of the 5G experiences offered at AT&T Stadium include:
Hype Up Chants
Outside the stadium, fans can use a 5G smartphone to see larger-than-life players. For example, this includes a 36-foot-tall representation of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, towering over AT&T Stadium.
Hall of Heroes
Fans can capture their “touchdown dance” over 3D video on a 5G smartphone. Specifically, this feature uses augmented reality to make it look as if Amari Cooper and more Cowboys players are dancing right at the fan’s side.
Pose with the Pros
Immersive experiences, using the 5G network, allow fans to digitally jump-in for videos with virtual Cowboys players like Ezekiel Elliott.
Live Game Data
Live player statistics using local augmented reality, on a 5G smartphone, enables fans to track their team’s performance in real-time. Indeed, this feature gives fans the same informational experience as watching a live TV broadcast of the game.
(4) Augmented Reality – Magic Leap Campus – AT&T Enterprise 5G Use Case
In 2018, AT&T invested in an augmented reality start-up Magic Leap. The company’s flagship device, Magic Leap One, is a lightweight, wearable computer that enriches real world experience with digital content. Through this partnership, AT&T brought connectivity and content to Magic Leap by creating a 5G zone on Magic Leap’s campus in Plantation, Florida.
Indeed, 5G connectivity at the Magic Leap campus gives developers and creators the ability to test devices and applications on a 5G network right where they are working. Immersive experiences from Magic Leap’s developers rely on AT&T’s 5G network to re-define the future of entertainment and productivity.
For example, content on the Magic Leap One includes DIRECTV NOW, allowing up to 4 simultaneous live streams. Additionally, WarnerMedia content is also available through the Magic Leap One.
