Smart mobility with Geo-fencing: The quiet shift that saves battery and boosts uptime
Private 5G is becoming the backbone of Industry 4.0. But as enterprises scale their wireless infrastructure, the conversation is not just about reliable connectivity but also how efficiently devices can connect to the network.
By aligning device behaviour with physical movement, enterprises gain more than just seamless transitions, they gain control over often-overlooked operational nuances. One of the most important, yet often ignored factors, is device battery life - because extending battery life helps devices run longer and keeps operations running smoothly.
Geofencing helps solve this challenge in a smart way. By using GPS-based technology, devices can adjust their behaviour based on location. Many prominent device manufacturers such as Apple, Zebra and others have started to support this technology in conjunction with their support for Private 5G networks.
The battery drain dilemma for devices supporting private and public networks
As mobile devices become the bridge between the digital and physical realms of industrial workspaces, their power behaviour matters just as much as their network performance.
Traditionally, connectivity has been treated as binary: you’re either online or offline. But this binary approach breaks down in hybrid environments like manufacturing plants, distribution yards, or smart campuses where mobile devices move between private networks, public cellular coverage, and perhaps home Wi-Fi too.
Particularly, when a device supports multiple eSIM profiles for both the public and private networks at the same time, a key issue is that the device may attempt to connect to both networks at the same time, leading to unnecessary battery drain.
Using the Geofencing feature, enables the device to select one network over the other based on its location. For e.g., even when both networks are available, the device connects to the private network only when it’s within a defined coverage area, and automatically switches to the public network when outside it.
Demonstration in action
In a recent field test, a technical expert from Celona showcased Apple’s native iOS geofencing capabilities. By defining a set of zones – such as Celona private cellular network, public cellular network and home Wi-Fi, a mobile device was able to automatically disable its Celona SIM when leaving the designated area and re-enable it upon return. The switch was seamless, silent, and smart.
But the most compelling insight came from a battery test. Two identical iPhones were used, one had a Celona eSIM enabled, and the other had no network turned on. Both phones were left idle for three days, outside the coverage area. The phone with no network enabled, kept 90% of its battery. The one that kept searching for a network? It dropped to 30%. This clearly shows that when a device isn't constantly looking for a network, it saves a lot more battery.
This difference isn’t theoretical. It’s real.
So geo-fencing is especially useful in environments like warehouses, distribution yards, or large industrial sites where workers frequently move in and out of network coverage zones. With geofencing in place, devices can automatically connect to the Private 5G network when they’re inside the perimeter of the property (where coverage is available) and switch to the public cellular network when they move outside. This ensures continuous connectivity without the device trying to scan and connect to both networks at the same time, which helps avoid unnecessary battery drain and improves overall network efficiency.
So, it makes sense to take steps for efficient battery use, and at the same time have the device always be on the required network.
Thoughtful networks start with intentional design
Geofencing isn’t just a convenience feature; it’s an essential enabler of modern enterprise mobility. When integrated thoughtfully into private wireless strategies, it becomes a lever for efficiency, cost, and sustainable device performance.
At Celona, we believe that enterprise connectivity should be intelligent by design, not just in throughput or coverage, but in how it preserves the tools your teams rely on every day.
See it for yourself
You don’t have to take our word for it. Watch the live demo and see how iOS geofencing paired with Celona Private 5G delivers real battery gains. Learn more on configuring iOS devices for geofencing.