Wi-Fi plays a central role in America’s daily operations, from powering personal connectivity in the home, to facilitating digital workplaces, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and much more. Without adequate spectrum for unlicensed use, America faces the possibility of Wi-Fi congestion, which would severely deteriorate the ability of modern factories to operate. Not only that, but America will lose out on significant economic growth given how many critical sectors rely on Wi-Fi.
For instance, the modern factory floor is no longer defined solely by machinery, but by intelligence and real-time insight. Today’s factories are dynamic and digitized ecosystems powered by wireless connectivity. At the heart of this shift is Wi-Fi, which enables machines, systems, and workers to communicate instantly and adapt flexibly to changing demands.
How industry leaders are building smart factories
Leading companies like John Deere are pioneering the next generation of manufacturing.
- At its Waterloo, Iowa, plant where large tractors are produced, John Deere has implemented a smart factory model using Wi-Fi and the Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor machine performance and detect issues before they escalate.
- Workers and equipment are wirelessly connected, enabling real-time adjustments that increase resilience, reduce downtime, and drive productivity.
Mobile machines = flexible floors
Wired systems once dictated factory layouts by rigidly locking machines in place. Wi-Fi removes these constraints. Manufacturers can now deploy mobile robots, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and reconfigurable workstations that shift with production needs.
- For example, automotive plants use Wi-Fi-connected systems to deliver parts and tools that match specific vehicle configurations, allowing for real-time customization.
- Wireless networks turn rigid production lines into fluid, software-defined systems capable of scaling and evolving.
Real-time data and predictive maintenance
Wi-Fi also enables predictive maintenance: one of the most powerful tools in modern manufacturing.
- Sensors embedded in equipment transmit data to analytics platforms to identify problems before they cause failures.
- Siemens, for example, uses Wi-Fi-connected monitoring tools to track the temperature, torque, and vibration across its electronics facilities. When signs of wear-and-tear appear, maintenance is triggered automatically, avoiding costly breakdowns.
Connecting the workforce
The modern factory worker is empowered by mobile and tech-enabled information.
- Wi-Fi connects tablets, smartphones, and AR headsets to provide workers with instant access to schematics and step-by-step instructions. A barcode scan can summon a 3D model; a pair of AR glasses can guide a repair.
- Training is also evolving. Wi-Fi powers simulation tools that onboard new employees faster, with greater retention and accuracy.
- As a result, manufacturing roles are becoming safer – and frankly more exciting to a next-generation workforce.
How shared spectrum builds factory success
As manufacturing becomes more connected, the demands on wireless networks increase.
- Without access to sufficient unlicensed and shared spectrum, networks can become congested, jeopardizing production timelines, safety, and operational continuity.
From predictive analytics and autonomous machines to workforce innovation and supply chain transparency, Wi-Fi is the digital workhorse behind advanced manufacturing. It enables the agility and intelligence modern industry requires. To sustain this momentum and ensure that factories have the bandwidth to drive the next industrial revolution, expanding access to unlicensed and shared spectrum is essential.
To learn more about the important role that Wi-Fi and unlicensed spectrum play in the broadband ecosystem, visit NCTA.com.
