Row of Advanced Robotic Arms inside Automotive Plant Assemble Batteries.

The challenge of multisite manufacturing 

Manufacturing operations have evolved far beyond the boundaries of a single facility. Today’s enterprises often manage networks that extend across multiple buildings, regional hubs, and even international sites. From sprawling production campuses to remote warehouses, each location can have vastly different connectivity needs, infrastructure maturity, and operational priorities. These can include:  

  • A centralized hub with high automation 
  • Remote warehouses with basic connectivity needs 
  • Facilities operating under varied digital maturity and infrastructure 

This level of operational complexity introduces a number of common pain points for manufacturers, particularly when trying to scale or unify operations across diverse sites: 

  • Inconsistent network performance across sites  
  • High latency that disrupts real-time automation  
  • Increased cyber risks due to fragmented systems  
  • High costs and complexity of managing IT and OT separately  
  • Limited scalability for future growth 

Bridging IT and OT with unified connectivity  

To fully realize the benefits of automation, intelligence, and operational efficiency, manufacturers need to bridge the gap between IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology). These two domains have traditionally operated in silos, but true digital transformation depends on their integration. With private 5G, manufacturers can bring IT and OT together on a single, unified network—creating a foundation that supports a wide range of advanced use cases, including: 

Instead of patching together multiple networks and protocols, private 5G offers one secure, scalable platform that connects everything—without compromising performance. 

One size doesn’t fit all: Tailoring the network
for each site 

For manufacturers operating across multiple locations, Ericsson has defined three key deployment strategies. 

Remote site with RAN only

Well-suited for warehouses or staging areas where local processing isn’t required, this model relies on minimal on-site infrastructure—primarily radio units—while all network traffic is routed back to a centralized core for management and control.  

Key advantages of this model include: 

  • Cost-efficiency 
  • Centralized processing  

Remote site without survivability

Designed for moderately complex sites that require some local IT/OT application processing but not full autonomy, this model strikes a balance between performance and simplicity. Core network functions such as session and policy control remain centralized, while edge applications can run locally. This configuration is ideal for facilities that benefit from faster local processing but can tolerate some dependency on centralized systems. 

Key characteristics of this model include: 

  • Balanced performance and cost
  • Simplified management and updates
  • Balanced performance and cost  

Remote site with survivability

This model is optimized for mission-critical or high-priority sites where continuous operations are essential—even in the event of a disconnection from the central core. It includes full local network control and edge processing capabilities, allowing the site to operate independently without interruption. This approach is ideal for manufacturing environments with downtime-sensitive processes, safety-critical systems, or remote locations where connectivity to the core may not always be guaranteed. 

Core benefits of this model include: 

  • Autonomous operations
  • High availability for essential systems  

Real-world impact: Private 5G in action 

Private 5G isn’t just a future promise—it’s already driving measurable results for leading manufacturers around the world. From improving site-to-site connectivity to reducing infrastructure costs, here’s how companies are putting private 5G to work in real-world scenarios: 

Automotive manufacturer 

Connected large-scale production sites, warehouses, and outdoor lots using centralized private 5G and remote radio units—improving coverage and reducing infrastructure costs. 

Steel producer 

Connected a newly acquired plant across the street using private 5G—extending high-speed, secure connectivity without overhauling legacy systems. 

Multinational aviation company 

Enabled consistent, cross-border connectivity across facilities in multiple countries—thanks to private 5G’s global regulatory support and flexible deployment. 

The bottom line 

For manufacturers operating across multiple sites, private 5G isn’t just a network upgrade—it’s a strategic enabler for digital transformation. With private 5G, companies can: 

  • Standardize and scale operations 
  • Simplify IT/OT integration 
  • Boost security and performance 
  • Future-proof operations for AI, automation, and beyond 

Ericsson’s experience and global footprint make it the ideal partner to help manufacturers deploy and optimize private 5G networks—no matter how complex the environment. 

Learn more about how private 5G is transforming manufacturing at scale—visit ericsson.com/manufacturing.