Friday 5 June, 2026
In this video, Paul Cobben from KPN showcases how 5G is transforming the manufacturing environment by moving beyond device connectivity to directly connecting machines themselves. While early 5G deployments focused on enabling new devices such as tablets, laptops and mixed-reality tools, the next phase connects machines over 5G, accelerating the adoption of private 5G networks across industry.
The video highlights how 5G enables a more flexible shop floor, a key requirement as manufacturers shift towards smaller batch sizes and more dynamic production models. By using 5G to connect individual machines and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), manufacturers can create adaptable production flows and quickly reconfigure operations.
KPN also explains how different deployment models, from public network access to dedicated private 5G, can be tailored to the needs of manufacturing plants or distribution centres. Crucially, the video shows that the digital factory is not built on 5G alone. By combining 5G with edge computing, indoor localisation and low-code platforms, manufacturers can unlock greater flexibility, improve system uptime and drive a fundamental transformation of industrial operations.
