5G for business: Benefits, challenges and use cases

5G offers many opportunities, but adoption is not straightforward and the benefits may not be the same for every business. At the very least, you will need to consider costs, coverage, and capability before deciding when and how to invest in 5G.

Costs of adoption

Moving to 5G often means upgrading devices, updating software, and potentially investing in network infrastructure. For small and medium-sized businesses, these costs can be a barrier. The return on investment isn't easy to work out either; it will likely depend on how a company uses technology. For example, a construction business using sensors to monitor equipment safety across multiple sites is likely to see immediate gains, but a typical office using mainly email and cloud documents may not. Before committing to a 5G project, you should carry out a technology needs assessment for your business.

Uneven coverage

National rollout of 5G is underway but far from complete. Depending on providers, coverage is expanding in urban zones, but rural and remote areas may still have limited access. Indoor connectivity can also be patchy. Before investing in 5G, you should map coverage at your sites (outdoor and indoor) and check provider performance in your area.

Compatibility issues

Older smartphones, machines, and systems may not support 5G. Businesses with mixed or legacy equipment may face extra costs replacing hardware. This makes staged upgrades or hybrid solutions worth considering, rather than switching everything at once.

Cyber security and data risks

More connected devices present a bigger target for cyber attacks. Poorly secured sensors, devices and other connected objects can become entry points for hackers. Stronger cyber security practices are essential, including device management, encryption, and active monitoring. For some businesses, working with specialist providers may be the safest route.

Skills and technical complexity

Advanced uses of 5G, such as private 5G, network slicing and edge computing, need specialist expertise. Smaller businesses may lack these skills in-house; larger organisations may need time to build them. For this reason, external support and staff training will often be part of the adoption journey.

Dependence on providers

Relying heavily on 5G can increase dependence on mobile network operators. Outages, rising costs, or regulatory changes could hit harder if operations are tightly linked to one provider. Some businesses may explore private 5G networks to reduce risk, but these carry their own costs and complexity.

While 5G can generate real value, adoption is not risk-free. For some, early adoption makes sense; for others, waiting until networks and use cases mature may be the better choice.

If you are prepared to take advantage of 5G now, see practical steps for implementation and learn how to mitigate some of the risks.

Through its five-step framework, the Belfast 5G Innovation Region programme can help businesses balance risk and plan sustainable 5G adoption.