Everything about 5G
What is 5G, how does it work and what are its advantages?
5G is already part of the digital infrastructure used by businesses and cities. Beyond improving mobile connectivity, it enables assets, data and people to be connected, giving operators greater visibility, flexibility and responsiveness when managing critical facilities.
Connectivity has become an essential component of the transformation of industry and infrastructure. Sensors in a factory, control systems in an electricity network, connected vehicles and security devices all generate information that must circulate securely and effectively to support decision-making.
In this context, 5G is more than just the next generation of mobile telephony. It is a communications platform that can complement other technologies – such as fibre optics, private networks, satellite communications and low-power networks – to meet a wide range of needs, from connecting thousands of sensors to supporting applications that require a fast and reliable response.
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of mobile communications technology. It follows 4G networks and offers much higher speeds and near-instantaneous response times. However, its main contribution goes beyond increasing download speeds: it enables connectivity to be tailored to specific requirements and facilitates communication between large numbers of connected devices.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) identifies three main capabilities of 5G:
- Enhanced mobile broadband.
- Massive machine-type communications.
- Ultra-reliable low-latency communications.
What makes 5G different?
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Greater transmission capacity
It facilitates the transmission of large volumes of data, high-quality video and immersive applications in areas with high concentrations of users or devices.
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Connectivity for large numbers of devices
It enables the deployment of connected sensors and equipment to monitor assets, processes and environmental conditions.
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Faster, more reliable responses
It can support use cases requiring low-latency communications and high availability, provided the network and service are designed to deliver them.
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More flexible networks
Features such as network slicing make it possible to configure resources to meet specific capacity, security or quality-of-service requirements.
Edge computing and 5G and future networks
The greatest potential of 5G lies not just in transmitting more information, but in processing it close to where it is generated. Edge computing brings computing power closer to assets, sensors and field equipment, eliminating the need for all data to travel to a remote processing centre. This accelerates analysis, reduces traffic to the cloud and supports operational decisions where response times are critical.
According to the European Edge Observatory, nearly 14,000 climate-neutral, highly secure edge nodes are projected to be deployed across the EU by 2030, representing an increase of approximately 85% from 2025.
Private 5G networks are another development made possible by this increasingly connected environment.
Private 5G networks provide dedicated connectivity within a facility or operational area. They allow organisations to manage coverage, devices, service quality and security policies according to their specific needs.
These networks are commonly used in sectors such as energy, mining, manufacturing, transport, logistics, government and event venues. As private networks can provide a controlled layer of connectivity for a specific site or operation, it is more important than ever to build cybersecurity in from the design stage. This includes device identity management, network segmentation, data protection and continuous monitoring.
Iberdrola: digital innovation for smarter, more resilient networks
At Iberdrola, we believe that the digitalisation of electricity networks is a key driver of progress towards a more efficient, secure and sustainable energy system. Smart grids make it possible to monitor the state of the system, anticipate incidents, integrate more renewable energy and manage new distributed resources, such as energy storage, electric vehicles and self-consumption.
Advanced connectivity, including 5G where it adds value to a particular use case, can complement the telecommunications and control systems that make this evolution possible. Its role is to facilitate faster communication between assets, field teams and digital platforms, strengthening operational performance and quality of service.
Through open innovation and initiatives such as the Global Smart Grids Innovation Hub, Iberdrola collaborates with technology companies, universities and other ecosystem stakeholders to develop solutions for the electricity networks of the future: more automated, flexible and resilient, and better equipped to accelerate electrification.
