What is a private network?
A private network using LTE or 5G is a private cellular network (PCN) built specifically for a single business, venue, or geographic area. Such networks use LTE or 5G technology previously only available with U.S. wireless carriers. These technologies include the network core (Evolved Packet Core or EPC), cellular network base stations, small cells, and other radio access network (RAN) infrastructure to create local carrier-grade networks with dedicated bandwidth and infrastructure to meet enterprise needs connection requirements.
Private networks operate on lightly licensed spectrum, such as Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), which provides businesses with the ability to leverage carrier-grade technology without fixed usage or restricted data usage. With private networks, businesses can take control of carrier-grade wireless networks to run exciting new use cases on-premise or with the help of managed service providers.
Why should businesses use private 5G?
Businesses are increasingly turning to private networks to meet their growing demands for network security, speed and bandwidth. Private network deployments help businesses with multiple locations that require wireless connectivity but are not well suited for public LTE use or Wi-Fi. Private networks using 4G LTE and dedicated 5G technologies are the next evolution in wireless technology, offering end users better control, lower latency, higher throughput connections, higher security, better Coverage and manageable costs.
Next-generation private networks provide businesses with the invaluable ability to securely customize and expand their networks on a schedule based on their location, processes, applications, and organizational needs.
Are private 5G networks the right connectivity solution?
Private 5G networks are for businesses that need low latency, reliability, and support for thousands of devices. However, it's important to remember that while private 5G offers huge benefits and is a huge improvement over legacy wireless connectivity, it's not the only solution. Wi-Fi and/or private LTE networks may be more than sufficient depending on the wireless network requirements of the business. Each connectivity solution (Wi-Fi, Private LTE, and Private 5G) has unique capabilities best suited to support different use cases.
Industry-leading mobile network operators predict that private networks (LTE or private 5G) will continue to coexist with Wi-Fi and other wireless networking solutions for the foreseeable future. While private 5G is the next evolutionary step for 4G LTE, as use cases transition from 4G to 5G, they can leverage different network slices working together as part of an enterprise's private network.
Businesses can deploy private networks for 4G LTE and 5G using different frequency allocations. As a result, businesses should consider 5G readiness when choosing a provider to take advantage of today's broad range of 4G use cases and prepare for game-changing 5G use cases with growing availability.
Ideal business use case for private 5G networks
Dedicated 5G is the ideal connectivity solution for high-density use cases that require ultra-low latency and high-quality service. Here are some promising commercial use cases for private 5G networks.
Manufacturing – With private 5G, manufacturing facilities can wirelessly connect their information technology (IT) systems to their equipment, enabling remote monitoring, access control, equipment tracking, inventory automation, vehicle automation, and other industrial IoT applications.
Mining, Oil & Gas - For mining and energy extraction companies in remote or rural areas, private 5G networks provide solutions for access control, security, rig equipment monitoring and security scanning.
Multi-campus, stadiums, and large public spaces - Sports fields, recreation centers, and other large public spaces experience peak demand for short periods of time, requiring uninterrupted indoor and outdoor coverage. Private 5G networks can securely meet the connectivity needs of employees, IoT devices, and security infrastructure, while supporting business-critical applications such as ticketing systems, point-of-sale systems, digital displays, and secure internal communications.
