Why 5G is bigger — and smaller — than ever

Hello readers,

Welcome to the IoT For All newsletter! This week we’re talking about how the next big move for 5G is small scale, the biggest IoT data mistakes to not make, and more!

Going small

When 5G launched commercially in the late 2010s, broad networks and consumer applications took center stage. Cellular carriers battled in the press for the title of 5G leader, focusing on different flavors of the tech while most end-users didn’t actually see the big deal.

Now, more than half a decade on, 5G is making a big impact by going small, with the proliferation of small private networks fit for IoT applications and, in some cases, tiny transmission gear.

Newmont, a mining company with sites on four continents, is working on a private 5G rollout at 14 sites to replace lackluster Wi-Fi infrastructure that was proving too unstable to support autonomous operations. Where the company’s Wi-Fi reportedly could be down for as much as half a shift, a single 5G radio with 175Mbps throughput is not only more stable, but can support up to 12 autonomous mining machines at once, bringing the company’s IIoT aspirations to fruition.

As Newmont Director of Process Control Chris Twaddle told RCR Wireless News:

And that’s far from the only application. At the 2025 National Association of Broadcasters in Las Vegas, Verizon showcased a portable private 5G network framework for news broadcasters. The system supports a variety of different spectrum options, including C-band, CBRS, and millimeter wave, and also leverages NVIDIA hardware and AI solutions to help sift through video feeds in real time.

But wait: it gets even smaller. At MWC 2025, Nokia’s “Federal Solutions” unit debuted the 5G Banshee Flex Radio: a backpack portable 5G network, capable of supporting as many as 1,000 users by packaging the same tech as used in public cellular infrastructure, but split off into a private network intended for use by the military.

While 6G looms on the horizon, these deployments suggest a new chapter for 5G—one defined not by faster phones for the average Joe, but by smarter infrastructure laser focused on business applications. 5G started as a race for reach. It might end as a race for who can do more with less.

📖 Top Articles

Biggest IoT Data Security Mistakes That Make Businesses Vulnerable

Big data security is a critical challenge for companies relying on Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Without comprehensive security measures, businesses risk falling into the same traps, such as weak passwords, misconfigured cloud storage, and unpatched vulnerabilities — leaving their networks open to cyber threats.

So, what can enterprises do to avoid these pitfalls? It all starts by understanding where the cracks in the foundation lie. Here are three common IoT security mistakes and how to fix them.

🔥 Rapid Fire

• Sharp Corporation announces strategic merger with AIoT Cloud Inc.

• Pepperl+Fuchs and Bosch launch Digital Twin Starter Kit

• Telenor IoT unveils ‘future-proof’ eSIM solution

• A framework for personalized Internet of Things by federated meta-learning

• IoT-enabled early warning systems help businesses prepare for extreme weather

🎙️ The IoT For All Podcast

No new podcast this week, but check out our latest episode where we talk to Maor Efrati, CTO and co-founder of Monogoto, about software-defined connectivity. The conversation covers private 5G networks, satellite connectivity, the importance of APIs for seamless integration and automation, SIM, IoT security, and embracing cellular solutions for next-gen connectivity.

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