What are Private 5G Networks?

Private 5G Networks are localized networks that provide wireless connections using 5G technology within a restricted area. These networks are owned and operated by businesses, organizations, or individuals, instead of telecommunications companies. This type of network is designed for specific applications, such as industrial automation, critical infrastructure, and enterprise use cases, and is typically deployed in a closed environment such as a factory, campus, or other private facilities.

Private 5G networks can offer several benefits over traditional Wi-Fi or wired networks, including higher bandwidth, lower latency, and increased security. They can be customized to meet the specific needs of the organization, such as supporting mission-critical applications, handling high volumes of data, or connecting a large number of devices.

Private 5G networks are particularly useful for applications that require low latency and high reliability, such as industrial automation, remote control of machinery, and virtual reality. They can also be used to create a secure wireless network for sensitive data, such as healthcare records or financial transactions.

Key Benefits of Private 5G Networks:

• Enhanced Security: Private 5G networks provide an extra layer of security as they are not connected to any public network, hence reducing the risk of cyber-attacks.
• Improved Reliability: With a dedicated network, organizations can ensure a higher level of reliability, as there is no risk of network congestion or degradation.
• Customizable: Private 5G networks can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the organization, such as customizing network slicing or setting up custom quality of service (QoS) parameters.
• Reduced Latency: Private 5G networks can achieve low latency and high speeds, enabling new use cases such as real-time control of industrial robots.
• Cost-Effective: 5G private networks can be more cost-effective than traditional public network alternatives for organizations with large facilities or high bandwidth needs.

Models of Private 5G Network

Private 5G networks offer various deployment models, each tailored to the specific needs and requirements of the entity in question. From highly customized and complex setups to more streamlined and efficient solutions, the versatility of private 5G networks allows flexibility in designing and implementing the optimal network infrastructure. With the ability to fine-tune every aspect of the network, entities can ensure that their private 5G network is optimized for performance, security, and scalability, all while meeting the unique demands of their organization.

Private 5G networks can be categorized into the following broad models:

• Standalone or Fully Private: This deployment model offers an entirely independent private network that is solely owned and operated by the organization, completely separate from any public network. It uses dedicated spectrum, and both RAN and Core are deployed on-premises, providing a highly secure and efficient network infrastructure.
   This model provides exceptional performance and unrivalled flexibility, enabling organizations to customize the network infrastructure to meet their specific needs. Moreover, this model ensures the highest level of reliability, availability, and low latency by having the core of the network in closer proximity to the devices.
• Hybrid or Private Shared: This model of deployment is a mixture of public and private 5G network infrastructure, allowing organizations to leverage the benefits of both. There can be multiple methods to achieve a hybrid private 5G network which include:
  • Owning or leasing on-premises equipment (hardware) while utilizing a public or private cloud service (software) to host parts of the network.
  • Private 5G can also be delivered through network slicing in which a CSP provides an on-site Radio Access Network (RAN) and other equipment, depending on the specific needs of the applications being run on the network.

A hybrid private network presents a versatile approach that enables businesses to execute various operations on the most suitable network infrastructure, reducing the potential for downtime, data loss, and disruptions through network diversification. Additionally, this model offers cost-efficiency by leveraging low-cost public networks for non-critical functions, streamlining expenditures while optimizing network functionality.

Private 5G Networks vs Wi-Fi

Both 5G private networks and Wi-Fi are wireless communication technologies used for connecting devices to the internet. However, there are some significant differences between the two technologies in terms of their performance, security, and availability.

Click here to learn about the importance of low latency in 5G networks.

Click here to learn about the frequency bands used by 5G across the world.