Beyond Public Networks: How Private 4G/5G Networks Can Transform Your Organization

Private wireless networks are an emerging trend that is transforming connectivity for enterprises and industries. Unlike public carrier networks, private networks provide dedicated wireless connectivity that is locally operated and controlled. These networks utilize 4G LTE and 5G cellular technology to deliver high-speed, low-latency, and highly secure wireless connectivity for a specific organization or site.

This article provides an in-depth look at private 4G/5G networks. We will explore what sets private networks apart from public networks, the significant benefits they offer, real-world use cases that highlight their advantages, how to implement and architect a private network, the vendor landscape, key challenges to consider, and where private wireless is heading in the future. Whether you are an IT leader exploring new connectivity options or just interested in the transformative potential of private cellular, this guide aims to give you a comprehensive understanding of this rapidly evolving space.

Public vs Private Wireless Networks

Public wireless networks refer to mobile networks operated by major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile etc that provide wireless connectivity to consumers and businesses in a wide area through cellular towers. These public networks are shared by many users across a region.

In contrast, private wireless networks are locally operated networks built specifically for a single enterprise, organization, or venue like a university campus, airport, stadium etc. Rather than relying on public cellular networks, private networks use on-premise infrastructure like small cells to deliver connectivity that is customized for an organization's specific needs and environment.

Some key differences between public and private wireless networks:

Ownership: Public networks are owned and managed by major carriers while private networks are owned and operated by the organization using them.
Purpose: Public networks aim to provide regional, wide-area connectivity to mass consumers and businesses. Private networks focus on delivering connectivity tailored to a specific organization or site.
Users: Public networks have many diverse users sharing network resources. Private networks only serve users within the organization that deployed the network.
Control: Organizations have full control over network policies, security, quality of service etc on private networks whereas public networks are completely managed by the carrier.
Coverage: Public networks provide regional or nationwide coverage. Private networks offer localized connectivity focused on specific campuses, buildings, venues etc.
Capacity: Private networks can deliver much higher capacity and bandwidth for an organization's specific needs compared to relying on sharing public network resources.
Latency: Private networks facilitate lower latency critical for some enterprise applications, industrial uses etc. Public networks have higher latency due to their wide-area regional focus.
Security: Private networks can leverage firewalls, segmentation and other security mechanisms tailored to an organization. Public networks come with inherent security risks of open connectivity.

By opting for private rather than public networks, organizations get wireless connectivity customized to their environment, users, applications and security requirements. Private 4G/5G networks unlock performance, reliability and control not possible on shared public networks.

Benefits of Private 4G/5G Networks

Private 4G/5G networks offer several key benefits compared to public carrier networks:

Control

With a private network, organizations have complete control over the network architecture, equipment, traffic prioritization, security protocols, and service levels. There is no need to rely on or negotiate with an external carrier. Businesses can customize the network to suit their specific needs.

Security

Private networks provide enterprise-grade security as all traffic stays within the organization's own network perimeter. This isolates the network from public threats on the internet. Private networks enable companies to monitor traffic, set granular access controls, and implement robust encryption protocols.

Performance

Private networks deliver optimal performance as capacity is dedicated solely for the organization's sites and users. Public networks can experience congestion and service degradation at peak times from high subscriber volumes. Private networks have consistent high bandwidth available when and where it is required.

Flexibility

Companies can extend coverage and scale capacity of private networks on demand. New locations, buildings, and users can be added quickly without needing to coordinate with an external provider. Networks can flexibly accommodate special events, seasonal needs, and IoT deployments.

Scalability

With control over all network resources and equipment, it is easy to cost-effectively scale private networks as needs evolve. Adding cells, spectrum, bandwidth, new locations, and slicing services can be done rapidly. Carrier-grade network capabilities scale from small groups to massive enterprise-wide deployments.

Use Cases for Private Wireless Networks

Private wireless networks have become indispensable across many industries and verticals that require reliable and secure connectivity. Here are some of the major use case scenarios:

Manufacturing

Manufacturing facilities like factories and warehouses can greatly benefit from private 4G/5G networks. They allow real-time monitoring of production processes, inventory tracking, quality control via video analytics, augmented reality for technicians, and automation. Private networks ensure uninterrupted coverage across large facilities and support massive numbers of IoT devices.

Energy

Energy providers use private networks for smart grid management, connecting wind turbines, solar panels, meters, pipelines etc. 4G/5G networks provide ultra-low latency required for time-sensitive monitoring and control. Private networks also enhance security and resilience for critical infrastructure.

Transportation

Transportation networks spanning airports, seaports, railways and highways require ubiquitous connectivity. Private 4G/5G networks enable real-time information exchange between control centers and vehicles or transit systems. They support telematics, video surveillance, traffic optimization and autonomous transportation.

Healthcare

Hospitals and medical facilities need seamless and secure connectivity across countless devices and applications. Private wireless networks help track assets and patients, enable telehealth services, remote patient monitoring and provide staff with critical information at the point-of-care.

Retail

Retailers use private networks for digital signage, security cameras, digital price tags, queue management, smart fitting rooms and mobile point-of-sale systems. Private 4G/5G networks provide enhanced data speeds and capacity for bandwidth-intensive use cases.

The benefits like higher throughput, lower latency, improved security and control make private wireless networks well-suited for organizations across verticals looking to harness the power of 4G/5G.

Implementation

Deploying a private wireless network requires careful planning and execution across several key areas:

Steps for Deployment

Site survey - Conduct a detailed RF site survey to map out coverage requirements, identify ideal small cell locations, and determine capacity needs.
Spectrum acquisition - Decide whether to use shared or dedicated spectrum like CBRS. Licensed spectrum provides interference protection while shared models allow more flexibility.
Hardware selection - Choose appropriate small cells, antennas, routers, and other hardware to build the radio access network. Opt for 5G-ready equipment.
Core network - Set up a dedicated mobile core like EPC/5GC on-premises or implement a virtualized telco cloud model.
Backhaul - Enable fiber, microwave or mmWave backhaul connectivity to small cells. Low latency backhaul is critical.
Systems integration - Work with a solutions partner to integrate all the components into an end-to-end private network.
Testing - Conduct extensive field testing to validate coverage, throughput, mobility, QoS and other parameters.

Spectrum Options

Licensed spectrum - Provides interference protection but limited availability.
CBRS - 150 MHz of shared spectrum available in the 3.5 GHz CBRS band via an FCC-approved SAS.
5G NR - Can utilize shared/unlicensed bands like CBRS and 6 GHz for 5G deployments.

Hardware

Small cells - Compact base stations to provide localised coverage and capacity.
DAS - Distributed antenna systems to expand coverage via multiple antenna nodes.
CPE - Ruggedized access points and routers for outdoor deployments.
Private 5G core - On-premises EPC or 5GC to handle authentication, mobility and QoS.

Private Network Core

The network core handles critical functions like access control, QoS, billing, mobility, etc. Main options:

On-premises EPC/5GC - Dedicated mobile core installed on-site. Offers full control.
Virtualised Telco Cloud - Hosted private core as a cloud-based service. Scalable and flexible.
Public-Private Convergence - Blend private and public 5G core capabilities.

The core ties together the radio access network with backend IT systems to deliver end-to-end services. Careful core configuration is vital for an optimal private network.

Architecture

Private wireless networks have a fundamentally different architecture compared to public carrier networks. They consist of the following key components:

Radio Access Network (RAN)

The RAN provides radio coverage and capacity for indoor and outdoor areas through a distributed network of radio nodes. It manages the access and connections between user devices and the core network. Common RAN options include small cells, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), and Wi-Fi access points.

Core Network

The core network is the central hub that controls user access, prioritizes traffic, routes data, and interconnects with the public network. It may be hosted on-premises or in the cloud. A variety of core network options exist based on performance, capacity, and deployment preference.

Spectrum

Dedicated licensed, unlicensed, or shared spectrum is required for operating a private network. Licensed spectrum provides interference protection but requires regulatory approval. Unlicensed spectrum is free to use but has no protections from interference. Shared/CBRS spectrum offers the best of both through a spectrum access system.

The specific network architecture deployed depends on use case requirements, deployment environment, capacity needs, and vendor solution capabilities. But in general, a distributed RAN connects user devices to an on-premises, cloud-hosted, or colocated core network using dedicated spectrum assets.

Challenges of Private Wireless Networks

Implementing private wireless networks comes with some key challenges that organizations need to be aware of:

Cost

Private wireless networks require significant upfront investments and ongoing costs. The infrastructure, hardware, software, and services do not come cheap. Organizations need to weigh the costs versus the expected benefits and ROI before committing to a private network deployment.

Spectrum Availability

Private networks require access to wireless spectrum, which needs to be locally licensed or shared in the case of solutions like CBRS. The availability of adequate, interference-free spectrum can be a constraint, especially in crowded areas. Organizations need to plan spectrum needs carefully.

Interoperability Issues

With various vendors offering private wireless solutions, interoperability between different components is a concern. Organizations need to ensure components like small cells, software, radio units etc. work well together. Vendor lock-in could also become an issue.

Skill Gap

Designing, implementing and managing private networks requires specialized expertise which many IT teams lack. Organizations may need to invest in training and hiring to ensure they have the skills to properly leverage private networks.

Overall the challenges highlight the need for careful planning and preparation before embarking on a private wireless network deployment. But with the right strategy and expertise, these hurdles can be effectively addressed.

Future Outlook

The future of private wireless networks looks extremely promising, with several emerging trends and forecasts indicating massive growth over the next 5-10 years. Here are some of the key developments to expect:

Continued Enterprise Adoption

With the proven benefits of increased efficiency, reliability, and flexibility, private networks are poised for huge growth among enterprises across all industries. More companies will invest in building their own dedicated networks, especially manufacturing, logistics, energy/utilities, and other sectors requiring mobility.

Expansion Beyond 4G/5G

Private networks will likely expand beyond just 4G/5G technologies. New radio access technologies like WiFi-6E and 5G Advanced with capabilities like ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) will emerge. Enterprises will adopt these newer technologies for specialized use cases.

Industry Standards and Spectrum Allocation

Industry organizations are working on standards to simplify deployment and interoperability for private networks. Governments are also freeing up shared/unlicensed spectrum for enterprises to set up private networks. These trends will drive faster adoption.

Network Slicing and Edge Computing

Advanced capabilities like network slicing and multi-access edge computing will become ubiquitous. This will allow enterprises to customize connectivity, leverage data insights in real-time, and enable innovative new applications through private networks.

As-a-Service Business Models

Telecom operators and technology vendors will offer more flexible consumption models to lower the entry barrier for building private networks. Enterprises will be able to get private networks on demand through infrastructure-as-a-service, network-as-a-service, or private 5G-as-a-service offerings.

In summary, private wireless networks are poised for dramatic growth and innovation. More enterprises will embrace them to transform operations, boost productivity and unlock new revenue opportunities. Exciting developments in spectrum, standards and business models will fuel this growth over the next decade.

With organizations increasingly requiring mobility, bandwidth, and ultra-low latency, private 4G/5G networks are emerging as a compelling connectivity option, providing enterprises an economically viable choice for supplying critical use cases and smart applications. Private wireless networks afford businesses complete control, security, performance guarantees, and the ability to customize their networks to precisely meet specific business needs. They represent a paradigm shift in enterprise communications.

As 5G standards and offerings mature, private 5G networks are poised to transform business operations across industries through their high speeds, massive connectivity, and ultra-reliable low latency capabilities. Though initial adoption may be gradual, the long-term impact of private 5G on enterprise digital transformation will be substantial. With carefully planned networks that integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, businesses can leverage private wireless networks to unlock innovation and gain competitive advantages.

In summary, private 4G/5G networks empower enterprises to take charge of their connectivity requirements for optimal efficiency, productivity and profitability. For organizations seeking to digitally transform through next-generation wireless technology, private networks warrant serious consideration.