5G in construction and real estate: driving projects and site efficiency

5G connectivity is helping transform the construction industry. Reliable, high-speed connectivity on worksites allows companies to deploy new construction technology applications, including massive Internet of Things (IoT) deployments and automation, helping improve efficiency, productivity and safety. 5G also provides the speed, capacity and scalability needed to support connected technologies beyond what Wi-Fi or 4G alone can offer.

4G vs 5G in construction: benefits of modern technology

4G LTE offers cutting-edge data connectivity, long range coverage and transfer speeds for devices including tablets, sensors, drones, and robots. For instance, 5G supports mass digitization with higher speeds, lower latency and increased capacity compared to 4G networks.

5G enhances 4G LTE benefits by enabling advanced automation, massive IoT, near real-time data analytics.

Key use cases of 5G in construction

Here are some of the core benefits 5G supports in the construction industry.

Automation in construction

The low latency, high bandwidth of 5G construction technology supports autonomous robots that require reliable connectivity and rapid data processing.

Unmanned trucks and loaders equipped with sensors and HD cameras can navigate , automating equipment transport and heavy lifting.

Engineers have even developed an autonomous brick-laying robot capable of building the walls of a house in as little as a day. Eventually, complex software, AI, cameras and sensors could enable swarms of drones to work together to complete increasingly complex tasks faster and more efficiently.

These machines operate 24/7, completing repetitive tasks efficiently  while helping managers mitigate industry-wide skills shortages.

Augmented reality & digital twins improve accuracy and consistency

5G bandwidth supports the growing use of augmented reality (AR) in construction. AR helps designers present immersive visions to clients. Integrating building information modeling (BIM) into AR allows planners to tour virtual sites and adjust details early, reducing delays. On-site, AR enhances positioning accuracy and improves safety training. Additionally, AI helps managers derive actionable insights from IoT data.

Drones for eyes in the sky

Equipped with sophisticated sensors and HD cameras, drones survey large areas to help teams understand potential build sites. These autonomous aerial vehicles can scan potential build sites to better understand them. Regular aerial site surveys monitor project progress and collect vital data efficiently.

Combining drones with 5G and cloud computing enables autonomous operation and near real-time data transfer to off-site project managers. This data helps spot problems faster—such as using heat-sensitive cameras to reveal cracks and water damage—while aiding collaboration and regulatory compliance.

Enhanced collaboration

Construction is a collaborative process, yet stakeholders, partners, and personnel are often located at different sites. Advanced remote coworking can be facilitated through 5G.

Construction requires coordination among stakeholders at various locations. 5G facilitates advanced remote coworking; for instance, specialists can use sensor data and HD video to diagnose on-site problems remotely. AR devices also assist on-site engineers with complex repairs. Furthermore, digital twins provide a single source of truth, enabling informed decision-making across distributed teams.

Health, safety and compliance

Construction site jobs are statistically some of the most dangerous places when compared to other industries. New construction technology and the increased use of 5G in construction could help support safer operations. 5G-powered technology supports safer operations: robots and drones can perform high-altitude tasks, and wearable sensors in personal protective equipment (PPE) can monitor worker health and location. These sensors can also detect environmental hazards like gas leaks or poor air quality, instantly alerting the wearer..

Robots and drones can tackle jobs at height, lowering the risk for staff, or they could assess the site beforehand so workers are prepared. Wearable sensor-enabled and internet-connected technology in hard hats and other personal protective equipment could monitor workers' health and location to support their safety. For example, if a worker falls or enters a dangerous and restricted area, the alarm could be raised. They could also monitor environmental conditions, notifying the wearer if sensors detect a gas leak or air quality falling below a certain standard.

IoT and digital surveying automate asset and inspection records to streamline compliance. Digital twins ensure seamless information transfer, while  5G allows on-site teams to update project data via mobile devices in near real-time.

More capacity for big data and AI-controlled equipment

Along with 5G edge computing could also enable new construction technology. Edge computing moves process power from the cloud closer to the edge, allowing devices to access greater computational capabilities.

This synergy creates opportunities for AI-powered robots and machine learning devices. Using 5G’s high bandwidth, these devices transfer data rapidly for processing at the edge or in the cloud, expanding technical applications while lowering costs.

5G in commercial real estate

Commercial real estate is evolving to meet new demands for data and connectivity. 5G use cases are now central to operations, aiding executives and property managers in infrastructure management.

Considerations for 5G and commercial real estate

• Benefits of IoT: 5G currently supports widespread IoT device deployment through low latency and high bandwidth, allowing building managers to leverage IoT-enabled systems and enterprise connectivity for real estate to gain real-time insights—such as optimizing energy efficiency and predicting elevator maintenance needs.
• Tenant demands and renting process: 5G is expected to influence tenant demands and expectations—a trend anticipated to persist as hybrid work models and high-speed communication remain central to business operations. Remote connectivity needs are likely to increase as remote work and automation become more attractive to businesses in multiple sectors.

The value add of 5G in commercial real estate

To understand the value of 5G in commercial real estate—and how to optimize your 5G infrastructure—consider these core applications.

Smart buildings and the smart city

Smart cities are built on the back of smart buildings—buildings connected by a vast network of sensors that send data to machine learning and artificial intelligence compute elements to collect detailed insights that are then fed back to modify sensor or system behavior or channeled to human analysts for further action.

These buildings are crucial parts of smart initiatives, relying on the streamlined communications and seamless data transmission that 5G provides.

IoT deployment

While IoT operates on 4G, 5G supports a significantly higher density of connected devices. This improves commercial real estate by:

• Improving HVAC and lighting efficiency
• Reducing bottlenecks and improving wayfinding
• Enhancing the employee experience through smart elevators, conference room scheduling and parking lot sensors
• Optimizing the workplace by tracking how employees utilize space

New monetization avenues

5G also opens new revenue opportunities for property owners. Leases for small cell towers on parking decks, rooftops or even light poles could be new sources of revenue. Cell tower lease rates vary, but owners who lease space will have growth opportunities.

Remote real estate agent

Traditionally, real estate property showings have been in person. But agents are increasingly looking to engage prospects by using digital technologies, too. A suite of communications and collaboration tools powered by 5G can help the remote real estate agent save time and close deals faster.

Mobile cloud-based phone systems allow remote real estate agents to operate with a single business number from anywhere. This eliminates the need for separate devices, removing the hassle of checking voicemails while traveling or giving out personal cell numbers when working remotely.  Meanwhile, video collaboration tools enable prospective buyers to participate in remote walkthroughs. Dual-camera mobile apps take this interactive experience further by allowing buyers, friends, and family to join a live video stream, see the agent's view in real time, and engage through emojis and text. Additionally, augmented reality apps can overlay virtual furniture and decor onto empty rooms, showing buyers the property's potential when customized to their taste.

Such immersive experiences often use ultra-high definition (UHD) cameras and efficient video processing at the edge. Elements such as live video synchronization, AR, and dynamic texting work best on high-bandwidth, low-latency networks. 5G enables multiple technologies to be layered on top of each other to create engaging immersive experiences.

5G-powered mobility provides real estate agents with the platform needed for seamless collaboration and efficient showings, ultimately improving productivity.

Integrating 5G in commercial real estate

The integration of 5G in real estate relies on investments in dedicated infrastructure from network providers. Capitalizing on 5G in commercial real estate requires continuous strategic planning to leverage its full capabilities effectively.

Verizon's 5G in construction and commercial real estate

Construction companies often manage multiple sub-contractors and projects at different locations. A reliable network is essential. Leaning on a managed services partner that understands the technology and its broad applications can provide a major competitive advantage. Whether your network is permanent or temporary, Verizon can provide fast, simple and reliable wireless internet to support construction projects.

Learn more about how Verizon can help enable construction companies to become more connected, efficient, productive, safe and cost-effective.