How 5G location-based services work across different industries

If you’ve only used GPS software, you might assume all location tracking works the same way: broad measurements of large, outdoor areas. But 5G location-based services (5G LBS) overcome locational restrictions and accuracy limitations, using the network itself to pinpoint where devices and people are in real time.

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This unlocks scenarios not possible with GPS, like watching individual indoor movement or restricting unauthorized access via geofencing. 5G LBS provides faster updates, precise locations, and more reliable data. In this article, discover the fundamentals of 5G LBS and its use cases across multiple industries.

What 5G location-based services are: Key terms and differences

5G LBS are applications that use 5G network signals stations and positioning software to track data. They estimate where a device is and trigger an experience or workflow based on that location.

Traditional geospatial software, like GPS, relies on satellites. 5G LBS uses cellular networks, resulting in enhanced accuracy and versatility. For example, 5G tools can track equipment as it moves across a factory floor, while GPS only manages data in large, outdoor areas.

With 5G LBS, businesses can have leaner operations with fewer manual check-ins. These tools provide real-time updates, remote control, and a better customer experience. They also offer stronger security controls in environments where SIM-based authentication and encrypted identifiers protect unauthorized access.

What’s 5G positioning?

5G positioning is how networks and compatible devices determine locations. It uses factors like time, signal direction, and computation within devices or networks. 

In 5G positioning testing, professionals use multiple measurements at once to find a signal’s source position, like time difference of arrival and round-trip time. For example, by comparing how long the same signal takes to reach several stations, the network can calculate the device’s location.

What’s 5G indoor tracking?

Indoor 5G refers to using 5G coverage inside buildings. This allows people to track and manage location-aware workflows where satellite signals are weak and Wi-Fi-only approaches aren’t consistent enough. Indoor coverage supports floor-level tracking and localization in places like hospitals, factories, and warehouses.

8 key applications of 5G location-based services

Across industries, 5G LBS typically operates in a similar fashion, capturing location signals and translating them into events. Here’s how it works in practice.

1. Transportation

In transportation, 5G LBS helps fleets run on live context instead of static schedules. These systems report frequent vehicle location updates, and geofences convert those moments into visualized events. 5G tools can communicate depot arrivals, idle time at gates, and deviations from pre-planned routes, enhancing operational transparency and fleet optimization. For example, dispatch can view real-time delays to change estimated time of arrival and adjust delivery priorities for the week.

2. Telecom

For telecom operators, 5G LBS supports both customer-facing services and internal network operations. Externally, 5G networks allow businesses to capture location data securely, leading to more effective emergency response and location-aware subscriber verification.

Internally, location metrics help teams plan coverage and validate indoor performance. Companies also use it to troubleshoot reception issues by examining the user experience in specific zones. It links a network’s health to geography, allowing operators to visualize a region’s performance and make adjustments accordingly.

3. Construction

Construction sites use 5G LBS to track workers, vehicles, and tools around zones. This lets office teams more accurately monitor projects and maintain payroll. It also mitigates danger in an already risky industry — 5G software provides alerts when something enters a hazardous area or when high-value equipment leaves a defined boundary.

4. Manufacturing

Manufacturers use 5G LBS to keep tabs on moving assets like carts, forklifts, and pallets and connect their movement to production workflows. For example, location signals can trigger automation, like updating work-in-progress when material reaches a station. This offers much-needed visibility in a manual environment, letting teams cut downtime and improve production without guesswork.

5. Retail and marketing 

In retail, 5G LBS powers indoor navigation, enables smoother pickup experiences, and offers location-aware messaging. For instance, a store app can react to zones — like entry or checkout — and provide helpful prompts. Similarly, operations teams can use 5G software to understand average movement patterns, letting them optimize layouts and staffing positions. 

6. Healthcare 

Hospitals and clinics use 5G LBS to remotely monitor and care for patients. Wearable devices allow providers to track vital signs, like blood pressure and heart rate, in home patients. The precision and low latency of 5G software even allows remote surgery, allowing doctors to conduct procedures from miles away via robotic systems.

7. Entertainment 

Entertainment venues like stadiums and arenas use 5G LBS to manage crowds and deliver better event experiences. Location signals help businesses monitor congestion, adjust entry gates for better flow, and coordinate security responses based on zone-specific situations.

On the customer’s side, LBS apps offer wayfinding and queue updates without constant manual refreshes. With less confusion and shorter lines, people can relax and enjoy the event.

8. Engineering

Engineering teams use 5G LBS to connect field activity to physical equipment and compliance requirements. Crews can capture proof of presence for inspections and maintenance, while noting where physical assets are and when they moved. In mission-critical environments, 5G LBS supports safer access control to equipment. For example, this software might only allow certified technicians to unlock circuit breakers in a power grid substation.

Pros and cons of 5G location-based services 

5G LBS unlock workflows impossible to run on GPS alone, but it also introduces new challenges. Here are several pros and cons to consider.

Advantages

Here are the main benefits of 5G LBS:

• More usable coverage: 5G technology makes location services usable in places where GPS and other location-based services are inconsistent. For example, traditional location tools may need open, outdoor space, making it unreliable to accurately track indoors.
• Better decision-making in real time: These tools offer frequent updates that support faster routing, dispatching, and asset handling. Near-instant updates let businesses make accurate, informed decisions, like adjusting driver routes and team bandwidth.
• Enterprise-grade security control: With private 5G and managed network services, companies can enforce access policies and standardize how employees request, share, and leverage location data.

Disadvantages

Here are a few challenges of using 5G LBS:

• Performance varies by location and device: Accuracy and consistency depend on regions, device models, and indoor versus outdoor settings.
• More moving parts than GPS: Depending on the industry, you might require more indoor coverage, calibration, and resources to ensure optimal performance.
• Privacy and compliance concerns: Location data is sensitive, and using it responsibly requires consent from participating members, access controls, and retention policies.

Empower your team with Felt’s modern GIS stack 

5G performance and rollout are inherently geographic — where to place infrastructure, how the environment affects coverage, and which areas need upgrades first. That’s why geographic information systems (GIS) are central to optimizing 5G networks. Platforms like Felt allow teams to operate and monitor efficient networks, visualizing performance and adjusting their approach using real-world spatial data.

Felt’s browser-native GIS helps you make maps in seconds. With features like Upload Anything, you can explore nearly any file, digging into massive datasets. Monitor real-time updates from personalized dashboards, and instantly collaborate with teammates through instant feedback. The world moves fast, and Felt lets you move at a modern pace.

Book a demo and enjoy location-aware workflows with Felt.