What is a Private 5G network?
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A private network is a network that is tailored for the sole use of a specific organisation. Unlike traditional public networks, private 5G networks are not limited to operation via MNOs, allowing private organisations to benefit from the same boosts to throughput, reduced latencies and wider coverage. All while maintaining their own control over the network’s security, purpose and data!
Benefits of Private 5G
- Customisable and Flexible – achieved through features such as Network Slicing, policy-based traffic control and software-based, virtual network functions. This makes solutions such as ‘network-in-a-box' or cloud-hosted RAN more feasible, reducing the need for numerous bulky servers.
- Secure & Controlled by You – due to dedicated spectrum, SIM-based authentication systems and more secure encryption protocols, the reliance on external operators can be minimised or nulled. This is your network.
- Performance – higher throughput support, lower latencies and supports mobility between cells. Increased reliability due to allocated spectrum, compared to Wi-Fi’s highly populated 2.4/5GHz unlicensed bands.
- Vendor Interoperability – Increased hardware and software flexibility due to the OpenRAN standard. This would allow a company to mix equipment from different vendors, which can reduce initial costs.
How it Works?
A 5G network generally has the following three main components:
- Radio Units / RUs – this is the hardware that transmits the signal on a permitted band, notably band N77 for 5G SA (see Ofcom's Shared Access Licenses).
- Core Network – can be deployed on-premises, at the edge or in the cloud. It handles user authentication, control and user plane traffic, inter-cell mobility and device handover.
- User Devices - with physical or eSIMs that enable secure access to the network.
These are combined produce a network. The radio units provide coverage, the network core handles user traffic and security, and the user devices attach to the network.
Why 5G and not 4G?
Private LTE (4G) networks still play a role due to the maturity of the technology, allowing them to be a safe fallback network. Most, if not all, recent smartphones have supported VoLTE (Voice-over LTE). Yet, smartphone manufacturers have been slow to mass enable VoNR (Voice over New Radio, 5G) in their handsets. However, 5G still offers several key advancements:
- Enhanced Security – by implementing features such as SUCI encryption that protect user identities on the network. This protects against the Man in the Middle or IMSI catching vulnerabilities of 4G.
- Performance Improvements – reaching 1Gbps downlink speeds in optimal deployments and target latencies as low as 1 ms.
- Increased Capacity – 5G performance improvements mean a larger user base can use the service.
Despite LTE’s maturity, 5G introduces key performance benefits that allow the network to service more people and be deployed more flexibly, scaling better based on need. Where cost is prioritised, legacy 4G equipment is bound to win but where performance and future scalability is prioritised, 5G SA is the obvious answer.
Why 5G instead of Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is the go-to solution for indoor, low-mobility environments, as it handles these extremely well. However, in outdoor and/or high-mobility environments the performance and reliability of Wi-Fi networks can take a hit.
- SIM-based Authentication – SIMs are locked down, removes the need for password management.
- Provides Reliability – Wi-Fi’s performance can degrade over long distances or in outdoor environments, both environments that 5G can thrive in.
- Readily Supports Handover – mobile networks are built with the handover between cells for seamless coverage.
Nonetheless both technologies complement each other, more so than compete against each other. With Fixed Wireless Access in mind, a Wi-Fi router (with a SIM in it) provides an internet connection to the premises by attaching to a local 5G network. Additionally, in a manufacturing context the average worker on-site could use Wi-Fi 6 in the office space, while 5G is used outdoors for their mobile robots or autonomous vehicles.
Use Cases
That being said 5G is flexible enough that it has the potential to be used in a variety of different scenarios, as the sole connectivity technology:
- Manufacturing & Logistics – wireless robotics, asset tracking, 5G-enabled CCTV cameras.
- Healthcare – secure & low latency connectivity for patient wearables, imaging systems.
- Notspots & Rural Connectivity – providing coverage in areas without coverage.
- Campus Networks - universities, arenas, event spaces.
From providing resilient coverage across vast warehouses for IoT devices to single floor indoor coverage for patient wearables in the healthcare environment. You name it, there is a way to configure a 5G network to suit your needs!
Conclusion
Private 5G is changing the connectivity field, with improved efficiency, performance and flexibility in comparison to technologies like 4G or Wi-Fi. It is a step towards the future of networks and represents a platform for innovation in connectivity.
If you are interested in how a private 5G network could benefit your organisation, feel free to get in contact with us using the Contact Us form, or send an email to team@aerix.uk!
Further Reading