A Public LTE or 5G network is available to anyone in the general public with an LTE or 5G-capable device and an account with the Mobile Network Operator (MNO).

A private cellular or 5G network is accessible only by users authorized by the network’s operator, which can be a government agency, corporation or other private organization.

A private cellular network is a dedicated network deployed for use by a defined set of users for specific use cases. While the basic architecture and technical specifications of a private cellular network are the same as that of a public cellular network operated by mobile network operators (MNOs), it differs in the scope in terms of coverage, functions, and access to devices and users.

A private cellular network typically covers a single location (like an office, factory campus, airport, or a university) or a specific area (like a mine, a farm, or a school district) owned or administered by the end-user organization. Private cellular networks are also deployed city-wide for smart city applications.

5G capabilities enable enterprises to take industrial automation to the next level. Also, enterprises need internal wireless networks to control and co-ordinate the movement of their mobile assets such as AGVs.

Many enterprises prefer a dedicated private network as it offers them the ability to control their network environment and tailor it to their needs.

Compared to public networks, private networks can be configured to suit the needs of their increasingly varied solutions and service quality needs.

Private 5G networks can be customized to meet the demands of any challenging situation.

Some locations such as oilfields and utilities, and most rural regions, often can’t access public networks or the coverage does not fully meet their needs and take recourse to private networks. The lack of adequate and reliable public network coverage (for example, in a warehouse or factory location or a mine) is also driving enterprise interest.

Wi-Fi 6 and private 5G (or LTE) networks will co-exist or work together in an enterprise environment but support different use cases. Wi-Fi 6 supports high-bandwidth applications but not mission-critical applications.

Organizations can use the private 5G or LTE network to run latency-sensitive Industry 4.0 applications like cloud-controlled robotics and automated guided vehicle operations while Wi-Fi 6 can be used for applications like digital signage in shopping malls.

As an organization deploying a private network controls its security, it can be programmed to be more secure than public mobile networks. Also, given the relatively smaller scale of the network, it could be easier for organizations to combine the private network architecture with other concepts like Zero Trust Security and thereby make the network more secure.

Private cellular networks can be 4G or 5G. Most private cellular networks are 4G today. There are a significant number of 5G private networks as well. Growth in 5G private networks is expected to start outpacing private LTE networks starting 2023 as more organizations lean towards 5G attracted by the performance of 5G versus LTE, and critical 5G features like Ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) and 5G support for Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN). reliable, and efficient wireless communication infrastructure.

While not all private LTE networks can be upgraded to 5G, most private LTE networks being deployed nowadays are 5G ready or in other words, they can be evolved / upgraded to 5G.

Based on their coverage area and supported applications / services, there are broadly three types of private cellular networks:

• Campus Networks: Campus networks are dedicated mobile networks for a defined local campus – a university or an office campus or a factory site. A campus network can be used for a wide range of applications from enabling critical business communications to Industry 4.0 applications.
• Community focused Networks : Such private networks are primarily built to serve the purpose of specific communities (like a school district or rural communities). The main purpose of such private networks is to bring Internet access to remote or underserved areas.
• Wide Area Private LTE / 5G Networks : A private cellular network with a city-wide coverage for supporting smart city applications (automated drones for road and traffic monitoring, public safety, and disaster relief communications) is an example of a wide-area private cellular network.

There are two broad types of private network deployments based on whether dedicated or shared network resources are used:

• Dedicated Networks independent of the MNO network : In this scenario, an enterprise deploys (or uses) a dedicated network (radio access, core, edge computing assets) that is purpose-built for the sole use of that enterprise. Such a network is completely independent of the public mobile network and is deployed either using unlicensed spectrum or licensed spectrum owned or leased by the enterprise.
• Hybrid Private Networks by sharing the mobile operator’s public network resources : In this deployment scenario, the radio access network is shared between private and public network (RAN Sharing) while a dedicated core network and edge computing assets are deployed in the enterprise premises and physically separated from the public network.

There are many different types of private networks operating models, differentiated by who owns and manages the network assets. Some examples include:

• Enterprise owned and operated.
• Enterprise owned, and MSP operated.
• Enterprise owned, and MNO operated (same as previous one but MNO acts as the MSP).
• Neutral host owned and operated
  MNO owned and operated.
• Network slice offered by MNO.

Network Slicing provides MNOs with the ability to dedicate public network resources for a specific set of users, functions, or use cases and service quality needs. Technically, it is a virtual network atop a shared physical infrastructure. In other words, the goal of network slices is to provide the performance and security of a private network on a public network. Given these characteristics, Network Slicing can be termed as a type of private network although the ownership remains with the public network. However, network slicing is only available where public network coverage is available.

Four types of spectrum bands are available for private cellular network deployments:

• Industrial or local use spectrum : Regulators in some countries (like Germany, Japan, UK, France) have awarded spectrum specifically for industrial or local use.
• Shared spectrum : CBRS in US is the best example of shared spectrum wherein several parties share the same spectrum and the access to spectrum is managed by an authorized spectrum access service provider.
• Public network spectrum : Enterprise can also lease the required spectrum from an MNO or a spectrum holding company.
• Unlicensed spectrum: This is primarily the free to use / non-exclusive 5GHz band which can also be used for private network deployments.

Private networks run primarily in the mid-band range (1-6 GHz) and high-band range (24-100 GHz). Worldwide, the most widely used spectrum bands for private cellular network deployments are the 2.6 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 3.7-3.8GHz mid bands. However, 28.2-28.3GHz, 2575-2595MHz, 1.8GHz and 2.1GHz LTE bands are also being used in many countries. In the US, the CBRS 3.5 GHz band is popular, but Wi-Fi bands (2.4 and 5 GHz) are used as well. Other installations use 2.6 GHz and 28 GHz. Currently, many countries are considering opening more frequency bands (both in mid and high bands) for private network deployments.

Private cellular networks are being deployed in both unlicensed bands (primarily 5 GHz) and licensed bands with priority over use (3.5 GHz CBRS band in US).

An enterprise can either get licensed spectrum (if available for local or industrial use in the country of their location) directly from the licensing authority of the country or lease the required spectrum from an MNO or a spectrum holding company. Countries like UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, France, Sweden, and Spain have licensed spectrum to enterprises for private network deployments.

Industry 4.0 and smart factory operations that could include automated guided vehicles operations, cloud-controlled robotics and remote-control of machines, automated inspection, and secure, reliable, and fast connectivity for critical applications are the most popular use cases.

Private networks are being used in numerous fields, with manufacturing, transportation, and mining/oil and gas leading the way. Other verticals include utilities, entertainment, retail, education, and healthcare.

They are currently being installed primarily in Asia Pacific, North America, and Western Europe. Countries like China, Japan, US, Germany, UK, France, Sweden, and Finland are seeing most private networks related activities.

Many types of companies provide private cellular network solutions, including:

• Equipment (RAN and/or core) providers (ex: Ericsson (including Cradlepoint), Nokia, Samsung, Qualcomm, Cisco, HPE, Celona, JMA Wireless, Airspan, Baicells, Radisys, ALEF Edge, GXC, Cambium Networks, Telrad, Expeto, Druid Networks, HPE, Sierra Wireless, and more).
• Cloud & Edge infrastructure providers (ex: Amazon and Microsoft).
• Telecom service providers (ex: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Comcast, Charter, BT, Vodafone, Telia, and more).
• System Integrators & Managed Service Providers (ex: Kyndryl, Tech Mahindra, Edzcom, Cap Gemini, NEC, Federated Wireless, Boingo, CTS, Kajeet, Oceus Networks, Betacom, Crown Castle, BAI Communications, Ambra Solutions, and more).

Besides the MNOs, B2B service providers and Wireless ISPs, IT system integrators, ICT OEMs, neutral hosts, Critical Communications solution vendors, and Industrial system integrators are also deploying private networks for business enterprises and other organizations.

Private 5G network equipment providers are companies that offer equipment and solutions for setting up private 5G networks.

Such dedicated wireless communications networks are used by businesses, government agencies and other organizations exclusively for their own purposes, rather than being shared with the public.

Network Equipment Providers offer a range of equipment and solutions for setting up private 5G networks, varying by the specific needs of the industry or organization.

Most industry analysts are predicting significant growth in private network deployments across industries and regions of the world. They estimate that private 5G / LTE will be a 5 to 7BUSD opportunity by 2025. The number of private networks is expected to grow from a few hundred in 2019 to over 20,000 by 2026. Manufacturing will continue to lead the way, and the majority of installs will be seen in the Asia Pacific region.