< PreviousWith a significant number of infrastructural and operational challenges to be overcome before 5G can become a business reality for UK companies, it’s time to set the glass half empty promises of 5G to one side and leverage the proven quality, consistency and reliability of existing wireless networks, especially 4G, to support business communications infrastructure and growth. Land grab The promise of 5G has been compelling for many reasons; from businesses looking to achieve widespread IoT deployments, to those seeking a viable broadband and leased line replacement alternative or companies struggling in areas of rural connectivity deprivation, on paper 5G appears to have all the answers. The recent 5G rollout announcements, however, have been something of a disappointment for all. Limited to just six cities initially (EE), and with variable accessibility even within these areas, the 5G rollout is a promise rather than a reality. It will take several years before 5G offers ubiquitous accessibility – and there are no firm plans to support rural areas and manufacturing – rather, a set of innovation challenges that are funding Consortia projects to look at innovation to address the problem. Even then a number of key features of the service are still to be clarified. The reality today is that 5G, where it’s available, is providing enhanced mobile broadband and no more. For those with compatible devices, an issue in itself given the lack of available devices and the Huawei situation, 5G will enable voice calls and broadband internet access. Even then, the promised speeds are not being delivered. Customers can expect 150-200Mbps at best, and on the Vodafone commercial plans we see guarantees of 2Mbps, 5G has arrived – or has it? At the time of writing, EE, Vodafone and Three have announced the availability of the UK’s first 5G networks, and O2 has announced launch plans. The new services are surprisingly limited in geographic coverage, performance and features, focusing on broadband-only applications. The massive IoT connectivity application of the services has been delayed to 2023. The current incarnation in all carriers, except Three UK, doesn’t offer the promised alternative to replace leased lines (millimetre wave). Even the much-hyped mobile broadband speeds have been downgraded from gigabits to burst rates in the hundreds of MB/s at best. Add in the lack of reliability, spotty coverage and inconsistency in commercial approach, and 5G is no more than a work in progress. The UK 5G launch season is in full swing, but it's a shadow of what's needed – 4G still reigns supreme By Nick Sacke, Head of Products and IoT, Comms365 www.comms365.com Too little too soon www.networkseuropemagazine.com OPINION www.networkseuropemagazine.com 10www.networkseuropemagazine.com 11 OPINION www.networkseuropemagazine.com 1110Mbps or the fastest available – this falls short of the Gigabit speeds promised. Furthermore, consistency is a concerning issue, with both speed and coverage variable within the launch city locations. On the plus side, Vodafone has offered an unlimited data plan that will begin to chip away at one of the big pillars of operator revenues, i.e. mobile data costs. So why have EE, Vodafone and Three rushed to announce 5G networks that are still more of a half-promise than a reality? The answer is a land grab, to try and get to market first with something, rather than nothing. The impact for businesses that want to make investments in high-speed wireless technology, leveraging the value of repeatable, consistent, widespread and easy to use services, is that 5G is already a significant disappointment. Carriers will need to raise their game significantly if they want businesses to invest their communications budgets in the new technology. 5G dissected While the Tier 1 network providers are promising to rapidly expand the 5G network range, with EE planning to upgrade more than 100 sites to 5G every month, this is very much a work in progress. On the plus side, the 5G network will address the capacity issues facing overloaded 4G networks, enabling millions of additional connections on the existing spectrum. But what about the other key aspects of the 5G network offering? 5G has been touted as a viable alternative to leased lines and a chance for companies to avoid expensive fibre or copper-based Ethernet connections. Unfortunately, the promised fixed wireless access based on millimetre wave (FWA) – essentially high-speed connections between two points – requires significant infrastructure change that the network providers are struggling to deliver. Rather than towers, FWA is a short-range service and, as such, demands extremely high antenna density, with small cells (antennas) deployed on buildings, street furniture and lamp posts just 10m apart. "5G technology looks good on paper and there have been significant deployments in the US and other countries. But there remains a numberof significant infrastructure challenges" Water/DX & Free Cooling Hot/Cold Aisle Cocooning Integrated Outdoor Cabinets 19” Racks & Cabinets FOLLOW TOMORROWS FUTURE TODAY AT: CANNONTECH.CO.UK EVOLVING AND INNOVATING SINCE 1978 DOWNLOAD OUR LATEST BROCHURES AT: CANNONTECH.CO.UKFOR A COPY OF OUR LATEST BROCHURES : QUALITY | RELIABILITY | EFFICIENCY | CUSTOMISING STANDARDS | AWARD WINNING OPINION 12Network providers have overestimated the willingness of local authorities and building owners to provide the planning permission required to install antennas on lampposts and buildings. Without antenna density, FWA isn’t a viable, scalable option for business connectivity; at best, companies will have to wait three years or more before 5G offers a viable wireless leased line alternative. At the time of writing, Three UK has just launched their FWA offering in a few postcode areas in London for home broadband, and already there are accounts of intermittent signal problems impacting performance, which lends weight to the argument for greater antenna density being required to achieve stable, repeatable service coverage. At worst, of course, the continuing concerns regarding the potential health implications of 5G networks could further delay installation. Local authorities will remain wary about exposing the public to risk; unless and until the 5G industry can address in a concerted, focused way that the persistent claims that running high-frequency networks in high-density areas isn’t a risk, planners may meet resistance from schools, hospitals, community and other building managers. There are other shortcomings. 5G services today don’t include any service level agreements, undermining any business confidence in the quality and repeatability of the service. There seems to be no network slicing (the technique to separate traffic types), making it impossible to prioritise network traffic such as IoT. Indeed, the entire IoT aspect of 5G has been shelved for now, with both EE and Vodafone confirming that IoT will not be part of the initial service. There’s no clarity regarding support for IoT devices in the future; the ability to upgrade or migrate from current to 5G networks or any commercial information that would help both managed service providers and businesses build 5G into their future IoT strategies. Use what we have already So, what are the options? 5G is disappointing, but companies cannot afford to postpone much-needed network investments in wireless primary and backup services indefinitely. The good news is that 4G networks are now mature – and that means both widely available and reliable. The arrival of 5G will address the burgeoning capacity issue for 4G, which is great news; and recent market price adjustments have taken 4G out of the last resort category and made it into a viable option for primary and resilience connectivity. 4G is proven to support VoIP and unified communication streaming; it can also be used for machine to machine communication. Software defined networking (SDN) enables 4G to be blended with other networks to deliver primary connections that deliver a reliable and affordable leased line alternative. Furthermore, IoT is deliverable today using the unlicensed spectrum and other standards, including Narrowband IoT and LoRaWAN to enable mass IoT deployments, which will be incorporated later into the emerging 5G standard, future-proofing investment. Critically, all these services come with SLAs; networks are reliable and accessible. Essentially, it’s possible today to meet business needs for affordable and consistent primary and secondary connectivity services with the existing 4G network infrastructure. Delivering connectivity 5G technology looks good on paper and there have been significant deployments in the US and other countries. But there remains a number of significant infrastructure challenges that continue to undermine 5G value and impact on our business landscape in the short to medium term. As the 5G network plans and service offerings stand today, businesses will struggle to justify investment in the new technology. However, while waiting for the promise of 5G to be realised, businesses can extract significant value from 4G today. And with further price disruption expected within the 4G market, the cost model will become ever more compelling, for primary, secondary and IoT connectivity. n DCiM Monitoring & Control Data Centre Design, Build & Construction Modular Data Centres Micro & Mini Data Centres ING SINCE 1978 /CANNONT4 in UR LATEST BROCHURES : SALES@CANNONTECH.CO.UK /CANNONTECHNOLOGIES +44 (0) 1425 632600 TOMISING STANDARDS | AWARD WINNING OPINION 13Peer-to-peer systems and elastic infrastructures can provide faster decision making Breaking down the hierarchy As demand for data continues to grow, and traditional analogue electrical systems come under increasing strain, the complexities for IT managers and consultants become ever more intricate. Couple this with the greater use of robotics and AI and the future looks even more complicated. Not only do they need to navigate their way around data ownership, security, safety, storage and maintenance, they also need to be one step ahead on technical know-how and insight to improve business operations. Breaking down barriers As complexity grows, simplicity, automation and versatility are key drivers in managing the data centre network environment. Reducing latency and the number of control layers, doing more at a local level, even autonomously, if possible, and managing growing infrastructure costs, are critical outcomes for the next generation networks. It’s therefore essential that today’s networks and major system solutions are created with elasticity in mind, from concept and design through to installation, control and operation. This smart digitalisation creates the flexibility for operators to do more with their assets because better control leads to improved utilisation. It provides the ability for infrastructure and networks to grow or shrink dynamically as needed, adapting to workloads and maximising resources. How this can be achieved Digital communication and peer-to-peer control reduce the need for multiple, linear control layers; from circuit breakers through to switchgear and Building Management Systems (BMS) towards the data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) modules, as you move up the hierarchy. Digitalisation eases pressure on the hierarchy. It provides north to south, east to west directional controls and By Dave Sterlace, Global Head of Data Centre Technology, ABB www.abb.com www.networkseuropemagazine.com OPINION www.networkseuropemagazine.com 14communications between peer-to-peer components. Digital platforms offer open communication protocols and robust IEC 61850 digital communications, which means they also offer interoperability and aren’t locked into proprietary systems. This peer-to-peer architecture of digital network systems provides managers and operators access to best practice benchmarking and deeper, granular visibility of cross-industry data. Harnessing data With better insight into disparate systems, these scalable solutions, along with features such as advanced power analytics and intelligent alarm and event handling, deliver greater operational transparency at both device and enterprise level. Potential issues are identified and resolved before they can cause significant damage or downtime. For example, at one of America’s leading car manufacturers, the fully automated manufacturing plant will have over 10,000 alarms per day. The adoption of digitalisation and data centre infrastructure management platforms has enabled data centre and network teams to prioritise and turn data into actionable insight through peer-to-peer communication. The system is self-regulating and can even be self- mending, significantly reducing the number of alarms. When there’s something the system can’t fix itself, instead of telling the operator there’s a problem, the system tells the operator how to fix the problem. And by using diagnostics, alarms and event setting on the digital platform, data centre teams can proactively report and accurately pinpoint issues, thereby reducing the risk of exposure due to human error and further enhancing on-site safety. Greater protection As dependence on data centres grows, so too does the need for protection against cybersecurity threats within the data centre network itself. With enterprise IoT adoption, the ability to mitigate risk and diagnose, and get systems back up and running when an attack happens, will become essential, especially as a recent report suggests that by 2020 there will be roughly 200 billion connected devices and at least 25 connected devices per 100 inhabitants in the US. In the same report, it also detailed that companies were slow to react and took at least six months to respond to a data breach. As companies haemorrhage money trying to stay one step ahead of hackers to protect assets, approximately $6 trillion is expected to be spent globally on cybersecurity by 2021, the adoption of smart digitalisation can help operators proactively monitor and control the system, to detect and deter threats across the networks. Energy management Smart data needs smart power. Data centres are some of the largest consumers of energy. In the European Union alone data centres consumed 25% more energy in 2017 than in 2014. In addition, the global rollout of 5G will put the growth of digital data networks into overdrive, requiring ever greater energy management and operational efficiencies for future networks. With data demand growing exponentially and more operations adopting IoT platforms, providers who manage those energy tasks must do it in a way that provides operational efficiency and reliability for today’s businesses. Dependence on sophisticated technology and deep-rooted proactive technical expertise can be delivered through all-in- one automation and digitalisation solutions. These provide visibility and the ability to review networks and shift power to critical business operations as and when required. A smarter approach With forecasts estimating that there will be around 40 trillion gigabytes of data by 2020, there’s no doubt that we have to take a smarter approach for the future. Traditional legacy systems will be put into overdrive with the rollout and adoption of 5G data networks and the demand for improved autonomy in edge computing and within mini data centres. Digitalisation provides visibility and will break down the parameters set within traditional systems. It navigates and overrides the obstacles of our complex data architecture to keep data flowing and provides elasticity to cope with the ever-increasing demands of our data-hungry world. n www.networkseuropemagazine.com 15 OPINION www.networkseuropemagazine.com 15Do you know the risks of this secret killer that puts those working with electricity in harm’s way? A to Z of arc flash While health and safety is of paramount importance for industry workers in various sectors, there’s a secret killer putting lives at risk. Anyone working with, or around, electricity can be impacted by an arc flash incident, yet much of the time little is known about these often fatal events. In such an advanced health and safety conscious world, it seems strange that a common risk could be overlooked. But it isn’t as a result of infrequency – the lack of awareness occurs due to incidents being wrongly identified as an electric shock. This diagnosis is putting lives at risk up and down the country, not least as it fuels a false sense of security. The hard facts are that arc flash incidents are frequent, making the risks very real. With this in mind, here are the key facts – from A to Z – so you can stay safe at work. A is for arc flash An arc flash occurs during a fault, or short circuit condition, which passes through an arc gap and can result in devastating results if the correct equipment isn’t being worn. B is for: burns An arc flash incident has the potential to burn an operative’s skin within fractions of a second, meaning PPE really is the last line of defence for workers. C is for combustible materials The heat from an arc flash is hot enough to ignite nearby combustible materials, which may be metres away from the incident itself. D is for danger An arc flash is high risk and a danger that can result in devastating consequences. Expelling large amounts of deadly energy, causing ionisation of the air, an arc flash can reach temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun. By Mark Lant, Technical Sales Manager, ProGARM www.progarm.com E is for electrodes An arc flash is caused by an electric luminous bridge formed in a gap between two electrodes. F is for flame retardant While many might think flame retardant (FR) PPE can also provide protection in an arc flash incident, there are in fact separate safety standards for arc flash clothing, which go further than the ones for fire resistance. This means that the level of protection provided by flame retardant clothing doesn’t match that of arc flash resistant PPE. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure your team will be kitted out in arc flash PPE, rather than FR PPE. G is for garment Arc flash protection is found in specialist garments – everything from insulating warm arc flash base layers to arc flash waterproof jackets and trousers. Enhanced and effective protection comes through wearing layers of protective garments manufactured from inherent fibres and, which feature specific arc flash resilient components. If you don’t have the correct and quality garments, your protection levels will be compromised. H is for high temperatures The high temperature caused by an arc flash can set fire to clothing and severely burn human skin in fractions of a second, even at a significant distance from the event. I is for IEC 61482 IEC 61482 is a standard that covers PPE against the thermal dangers of an arc flash. Within this, the IEC 61482-2 standard covers various aspects of t garment design and is a requirement for selling garments for arc flash PPE within the EU. J is for just jackets? It’s not just jackets that need to be considered when protecting against arc flash, overalls and trousers also need to be accounted for as part of arc flash protective PPE – workers may also require arc-resistant underwear to provide further protection. This is due to the fact that everyday manufacturing materials can melt into skin, even under PPE clothing, potentially causing severe burns. K is for knowledge While awareness around the dangers of an arc flash incident is on the rise, a concerning number of people are still unclear on the hard facts. In fact, a concerning 63% of professionals HEALTH & SAFETY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 16HEALTH & SAFETY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 17HEALTH & SAFETY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 18across the six sectors most at risk – wind, power generation, industrial electrical, rail, utilities, and petrochemical – aren’t clear on what governmental guidelines provide guidance on how to work safely when arc flash is a threat, while 80% of those that were aware felt the guidelines were ambiguous. L is for legislation With such drastic consequences, you would be forgiven for expecting that despite a lack of awareness, there was strict legislation in place in order to protect the people working in these conditions. However, there are few appropriate protective measures to mitigate against it, leaving the UK workforce often at extreme risk. M is for molten metals Metal parts near the event of an arc flash can liquefy or vaporise. This means they will rapidly expand in volume as the metal changes state from a solid to vapour, resulting in explosive pressure and soundwaves. N is for new standard for cal ratings This summer, a new version of IEC 61482-1-1 is expected to be published, changing the way arc flash garments are tested. ELIM is a new method for calculating arc ratings. Previously, arc ratings have been calculated using a minimum of 20 data points. These data points are then used to create a prediction of the incident energy level at which there’s a 50% probability the heat transfer will cause the material to break open and expose the operative, leaving them susceptible to serious injury and burns. O is for ouch Thermal energy from an arc flash incident can be deadly. When someone is exposed to an arc flash incident, serious burns and other potentially life-threatening injuries can be minimised and even avoided by effectively utilising arc flash garments. An arc flash event may not be a daily occurrence in your business, but they are happening multiple times every working day in the UK. Risk assessment and precautions through safe working practices can be instigated by your company, and that will limit the possibility of a painful or even deadly arc flash incident. P is for pressure wave The pressure wave created during an arc flash can knock workers off-balance, throwing them to the floor or even across a room onto equipment or against walls. Q is for quality PPE Not all arc flash protective garments are manufactured equally. While many garments meet minimum standards, it’s important to ensure that the level of protection and quality of PPE will provide the protection the wearer needs. When lives are at stake, it’s essential that you invest in high-quality and specialist expertise to ensure safety remains a number one priority. R is for rehabilitation Treatment for those that survive an incident can require years of skin grafts, hospital stays and rehabilitation – they may never recover sufficiently to regain their lifestyle. So it’s safe to say that wearing appropriate PPE is key when it comes to arc flash safety. S is for short circuit Arc flashes can occur for several reasons, and their frequency is somewhat alarming. From being initiated through accidental contact or contamination, deterioration and corrosion of equipment, these are just a few of the many causes of an arc – making the risks higher than many first think. T is for thermal energy Flash protective clothing is designed to not only protect you from fire but from the thermal energy generated by an arc flash, which can also cause external and internal burns. In fact, fabric used in arc-resistant garments must meet higher tear resistance and tensile strength than those used for fire- resistant clothing. U is for underrated equipment Using equipment that is underrated for the available short circuit current, is another one of the many ways an arc flash can occur. V is for VXS+ fabrics VXS+ fabrics are a type of material used to manufacture arc flash garments, made from 100% inherent fibres, which provides enhanced protection, durability and comfort. VXS+ fabrics are manufactured with a combination of yarns which makes the garment inherently flame resistant. W is for women’s wear Many women are often faced with wearing either unisex or men’s jackets, which are sizes too big and not suitably fitted, making them bulky and often uncomfortable to wear. Uncomfortable and baggy jackets make it all too easy and tempting to roll up the sleeves or unfasten the jacket, which leaves areas of the body unprotected. Additionally, ill-fitting PPE makes it tempting to use an everyday belt to ensure a better fit, however these are vulnerable to catching fire or melting into the PPE. X is for xtreme An Arc Flash can reach extreme temperatures of up to 35,000°F, which is hotter than anything on earth. The extreme heat can instantly burn unprotected operatives, even when situated five or six metres away from the arc flash event. Y is for your protection While there’s no way to be fully protected from an arc flash incident, protective clothing can prevent the most fatal of consequences. If worn correctly, arc flash protective clothing and equipment can help to prevent serious injury and fatalities. With arc flash clothing and materials having separate and more extensive safety standards than those required for flame retardant clothing. Z is for zip It’s important to ensure that your garment fastenings are arc flash resistant. ThermSAFE durable fastenings mean every zip, stitch, button, popper and press-stud is flame resistant, providing enhanced and effective arc flash protection. n HEALTH & SAFETY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 19Next >