MobileCorp showcases 5G at Malls of the Future Summit 2024

The Malls of the Future Summit brings together mall owners, developers, tenants and technology companies to reimagine the shopping centre and create the concept of malls as compelling customer destinations.

What is the Malls of the Future Summit?

The second Australian Malls of the Future Summit was held in Sydney on 6 March 2024. It brought together over 300 delegates to discuss, debate and explore how malls can adapt to the seismic shift in our shopping habits and reinvent themselves to regain relevance as destinations.

How is 5G relevant to Malls of the Future?

How we shop is changing fast.  Over the past three years, the rise of online shopping has been supercharged by the pandemic lockdowns, supply chain constraints, and the increasing reliability of ecommerce traders.

To entice shoppers back to traditional brick-and-mortar outlets, malls need to regain relevance by becoming a destination where shopping is only one form of the entertainment on offer.

The Malls of the Future Summit explores how malls can bring the physical and digital worlds together and become exciting destinations for leisure, entertainment, experiences, and interactive engagement, as well as shopping.

5G is at the forefront of enabling new technologies which will redefine our malls of the future.

The high bandwidth, low latency and faster speeds of 5G, combined with new 5G-embedded Cradlepoint routers and adapters, open up new possibilities.

📱 Mobile-Centric Shopping: Mobile devices are no longer just communication tools; they've become essential shopping companions. Integrating mobile-friendly experiences that enhance convenience and engagement is key to capturing the attention of tech-savvy shoppers.

🌐 Omnichannel Integration: The line between online and offline shopping is blurring. Successful retailers are those who recognise the importance of omnichannel experiences, allowing customers to seamlessly transition from online discovery to in-store exploration.

🛒 Reimagining In-Store Experiences: Physical stores have a unique opportunity to offer experiences that go beyond transactions. Think immersive displays, interactive elements, and a curated environment that speaks to the personal interests of individual shoppers.

📊 Refining and Replenishing with data analytics: 5G enables the collection and processing of data at the edge. Consider the possibilities with sensors tracking foot traffic, dwell time, and product availability on shelf. 

MobileCorp showcases 5G for Retail

MobileCorp, in partnership with the global leader in 5G networking, Cradlepoint part of Ericsson, will be showcasing how #5G can be an enabler for progress from immersive customer experiences, to the collection of more detailed data and edge analytics, to safer more resilient networks.

🕧 Day 1 Availability. 
Main Challenge - waiting for wired line installation
Ensuring day 1 connectivity at new locations with a cloud-managed high-performance Cradlepoint 5G router for a primary link.  Businesses can open new locations without hoping a wired connection will be ready in time. 

📶 Failover Wireless
Main Challenge: WAN link failure
Shoppers having to abandon full trolleys when the checkouts go offline or customers unable to use eftpos due to a network failure.  Both are surprisingly commonplace and a retailer's worst nightmare. 5G failover automatically send traffic across the wireless link as soon as the primary wired link degrades or fails. Once the wired link is restored, traffic flow returns to normal. 

🛍️ Pop-Up Stores
Main Challenge: unavailable or unreliable wired connectivity
Set up retail services such as POS anywhere, anytime, and incredibly fast. All-in-one Cradlepoint 5G solutions for pop-up networks include a firewall, easy VPN setup, content filtering, and IPS/IDS – allowing organisations to keep all types of data secure from one site to the next.

🏬 Store Within a Store
Main Challenge: Quickly getting a physically separate network within a larger store.
5G allows companies to bring their own network. Even without any access to the main store’s network stack and security applications, the store-within-a-store 5G network can protect important customer and company data through an all-in-one branch router with a built-in firewall and support for cloud-based security services — providing peace of mind for both the big-box store and the smaller enterprise. IT can remotely monitor WAN conditions and data usage at each location — saving money and fixing issues much more quickly. 

MobileCorp and Cradlepoint for Retail 5G

In 2023, MobileCorp in partnership with Cradlepoint and Telstra,  deployed a 5G failover network for one of Australia's iconic big box retailers.

The risk of network downtime is mitigated for its 300+ stores across Australia and New Zealand with dual SIMs in a cloud managed Cradlepoint W1855 router providing third and fourth level redundancy.

MobileCorp provided consultancy, network architecture, proof of concept support, device procurement and configuration, SIM card connectivity, and signal testing. We continue to provide a managed service including network monitoring, network alert and response, remote troubleshooting and a support desk. 

The project, along with our leadership in deploying 5G networks, earned MobileCorp the Telstra Mobility Partner of the Year 2023 award. Read more

MobileCorp is an Australian leader in Cradlepoint solutions for data networks. 

Our services include:

• network solution architecture
• hardware procurement or leasing
• hardware configuration and deployment
• 24/7 monitoring of equipment and links
• proactive event alerts for service outages, usage warnings, and slow connection speeds
• level 2 service desk including:
  • fault diagnosis and resolution
  • remote equipment diagnostic and reprogramming
  • phone support
  • response and restoration targets
• priority replacement program for hardware
• device retrieval/redeployment program 
• monthly reporting
• Telstra customers may be eligible to spread their costs across their monthly Telstra bill