Solutions

If I needed 5G for industrial and IoT sites

Pumping stations, substations, solar and battery sites, telemetry and PLCs: the industrial cellular setup I would use, when 5G is worth it and when 4G or Cat-M is the better choice.

Nick Appleby October 13, 2026 2 min read

The short answer

I would match the radio to the data. For PLCs and telemetry, a rugged 4G or Cat-M gateway is often right. For video, heavy data or long-life sites where 4G will eventually be refarmed, I would use an industrial 5G router with DIN-rail mounting, serial or Modbus support and a VPN back to the control system.

The problem

Industrial sites need connectivity that runs for years in heat, cold and dust, often with nobody on site, and security that will satisfy an IT or OT team.

Buying the fastest router is not always right. Matching the radio to the data and the lifespan of the site is.

Here is what I would do

  1. Map the data PLC polling, telemetry, video and remote access all need very different bandwidth. Size for the real load.
  2. Choose the radio for the lifespan For a site expected to run for many years, think about where the networks are heading, not just today's coverage.
  3. Get the interfaces right DIN-rail mounting, wide DC input, digital I/O and serial or Modbus gateways avoid extra boxes in the panel.
  4. Secure it properly Private APN or VPN back to the control room, no open management ports, and firmware kept current.
  5. Plan for no one being there Watchdogs, connection checks, dual SIM and remote management keep the site running between visits.

The kit I would use

  • RouterIndustrial 5G router or 4G gateway

    DIN-rail, wide temperature range, I/O and Modbus support.

  • AntennaExternal MIMO antenna with bulkhead feed

    Mounted outside the panel or kiosk.

  • SIMFixed IP or private APN IoT SIM

    So the control system reaches the site securely.

  • ExtrasSensors and I/O modules

    For alarms and condition monitoring.

RUTX50Teltonika RUTX50 5G Router£379.00In stockQueclink WR300FG Industrial 5G RouterQueclink WR300FG Industrial 5G RouterPrice on requestIn stockTeltonika TRB 5G Gateway M2M IoTTeltonika TRB 5G GatewayPrice on requestIn stockRAPID NR Industrial 5G RouterRAPID NR550 5G Router - Dual SIM, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11AC WiFi, High Speed 5G SIM RouterPrice on requestIn stock

See the full range →

What I would avoid

  • Consumer hardware in an industrial panel.
  • Management interfaces exposed to the public internet.

Not quite your job?

Every site is a little different. Tell us where it is, what needs connecting and what has already been tried, and we will tell you what we would do. Get in touch.

Questions people ask

Should I use 5G or 4G for telemetry?

For low-data telemetry, 4G or Cat-M is usually enough and often cheaper. Choose 5G for heavy data, video, or where long-term network plans favour it.

Can the router talk to my PLC?

Many industrial routers include Modbus and serial gateway functions. Check the exact protocol your PLC uses.

How do I keep it secure?

Use a private APN or VPN, keep firmware current, disable unused services and never leave management ports open to the internet.