5G LAN: Reconstructing the Underlying Logic of Industrial and Commercial Networks—Which Scenarios Are Leading the Way?
In smart manufacturing workshops, robotic arms and AGV trolleys achieve microsecond-level synchronization via wireless networks; in cross-provincial logistics centers, thousands of sensors transmit cold chain data to the cloud in real time; in remote mining areas, 5G private networks support the remote operation of unmanned drilling rigs... These scenarios share a common need: a network that combines wide-area coverage with local area network (LAN)-level low latency and high reliability. This is the core logic behind the emergence of 5G LAN technology—breaking down the technical boundaries between traditional LANs and wide area networks (WANs) to provide a novel networking solution for industrial internet, enterprise office, smart city, and other fields, enabling "Layer 2 direct connectivity and cross-domain interoperability."
Traditional LANs rely on wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi for device interconnection, suffering from limitations such as physical distance constraints, poor mobility, and high deployment costs. Traditional WANs, while enabling cross-regional connectivity, require multiple layers of network protocol conversion, leading to increased latency and reduced data security. The innovation of 5G LAN lies in its use of the 5G network architecture defined by 3GPP standards, introducing the concept of "VN Group" (Virtual Network Group) in the core network. This allows terminal devices to communicate directly without passing through public network routing, achieving a hybrid networking capability that is "logically like a LAN but with wide-area coverage."
From the standard evolution of R16 to R18, the key capabilities of 5G LAN have continued to advance:
R16 Basic Version: Supports UE-to-UE (terminal-to-terminal) direct communication, enabling Layer 2 multicast/broadcast with latency reduced to under 10ms.
R17 Billing Enhancement: Introduces traffic-based and group-based billing models to reduce the cost of enterprise private network usage.
R18 Ultimate Version: Adds functions such as cross-SMF (Session Management Function) disaster recovery, cross-VN Group communication, and real-time group status monitoring, improving system availability to 99.999%.
Take China Unicom's 5G LAN OmniLink product as an example. Through lightweight deployment using "5G SIM cards + CPE," it established a Layer 2 direct connection between an aviation research center in Shanghai and a research institute in Beijing, reducing the latency of flight test data transmission from 200ms in traditional solutions to 8ms, with zero exposure to the public network, meeting the security needs of highly sensitive industries.
The networking requirements in industrial settings are typical: they must support microsecond-level synchronous control of IO terminals by PLC controllers while enabling dynamic access for a vast number of terminals such as production line equipment, AGVs, and quality inspection cameras. The three key technological characteristics of 5G LAN precisely match these needs:
In automotive welding workshops, the welding actions of robotic arms must be strictly synchronized with the visual inspection system. Traditional Wi-Fi solutions suffer from interference, causing latency fluctuations of up to 50ms. In contrast, 5G LAN, through URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication) technology, stabilizes end-to-end latency at under 2ms. A case study of a leading logistics enterprise showed that by using 5G LAN networking, the synchronization error of cross-belt sorters on the sorting line was reduced from 100ms to 5ms, improving sorting efficiency by 18%.
Industrial sites often require flexible adjustment of device groupings based on production tasks. For example, in a 5G upgrade project at an oil field, existing PLC devices supported IP communication but required the addition of "5G IoT terminals" for Layer 2 networking. The VN Group function of 5G LAN allows operations and maintenance personnel to adjust device group membership in real time through a cloud platform without on-site rewiring, reducing the hybrid networking transformation cycle from three months to two weeks.
Industrial protocol fragmentation has long been a pain point. 5G LAN supports over 20 industrial protocols, including Ethernet forwarding, Modbus TCP/IP, and PROFINET. Additionally, through "5G LAN-enabled" industrial routers (such as the USR-G816), transparent transmission of serial devices (RS232/485) is possible. In the continuous casting workshop of a steel enterprise, 5G LAN unified the transmission of heterogeneous data such as overhead crane remote control signals, high-temperature furnace video monitoring, and PLC control instructions, improving cross-workshop collaboration efficiency by 40%.
Beyond industrial applications, 5G LAN is demonstrating unique value in enterprise office, smart city, energy, and power sectors:
A leading chain milk tea brand deployed a unified information solution across 3,000 stores nationwide using China Unicom's 5G LAN: the Guangdong headquarters and stores across the country achieved video surveillance networking and inventory data sharing through Layer 2 direct connectivity, saving 80% in deployment costs compared to traditional wired solutions. The core device, the USR-G816 industrial router, supports dual-SIM card intelligent backup, automatically switching to 4G networks when 5G signals fluctuate in certain areas, ensuring zero business interruption.
In a civil aviation departure system, 5G LAN built a cross-domain Layer 2 private network covering 40 airport branches nationwide, enabling real-time data synchronization between check-in terminals and data centers. The solution adopted a "fixed-mobile inter-backup" mode, where 5G networks seamlessly took over business operations when fiber optic connections were interrupted, achieving system availability of 99.9999%, two orders of magnitude higher than traditional solutions.
At a photovoltaic power station in western China, 5G LAN supports business operations such as drone inspections, inverter remote control, and environmental sensor data transmission. Through the GNSS positioning function of the USR-G816, operations and maintenance personnel can track drone locations in real time; its wide temperature range design (-35°C to 75°C) adapts to the extreme conditions of the Gobi Desert. It is estimated that this solution increased the per-person inspection efficiency from 20 kilometers per day to 200 kilometers per day, reducing operations and maintenance costs by 65%.
The implementation of 5G LAN relies on terminal device support. Taking the USR-G816 industrial router as an example, its design fully meets the needs of industrial scenarios:
Hardware Redundancy: Dual-SIM card slots + dual-band Wi-Fi + three Gigabit LAN ports support multi-link intelligent backup.
Protocol Compatibility: Built-in Modbus gateway and serial port transparent transmission functions enable direct connection to PLCs, sensors, and other devices.
Environmental Adaptability: IP30 protection rating, wide temperature operation (-35°C to 75°C), and anti-static/surge design make it suitable for harsh working conditions.
Management Convenience: Supports remote configuration and firmware upgrades via the Usome Cloud platform, reducing operations and maintenance costs.
In tests conducted in the welding workshop of an automobile factory, the USR-G816 achieved near-zero packet loss and an average latency below 10ms under good 5G signal conditions; when signal interference occurred, it automatically switched to 4G networks within 1 second, ensuring real-time transmission of control instructions. This "hardcore" performance makes it one of the preferred terminals for 5G LAN industrial networking.
With the advancement of the 3GPP R19 standard, 5G LAN will deeply integrate with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), achieving microsecond-level latency and nanosecond-level clock synchronization to meet the extreme demands of industrial robots, autonomous driving, and other scenarios. Meanwhile, AI-driven network self-optimization technologies will enable 5G LAN to dynamically adjust VN Group topologies and perform predictive maintenance, further reducing enterprise network operations costs.
From LANs to WANs, from connecting devices to controlling processes, 5G LAN is reconstructing the underlying communication logic of the digital world. For industry users pursuing ultimate efficiency, security, and flexibility, embracing 5G LAN is not just a technological upgrade but a strategic investment for the future.
