Wireless network connectivity is quickly becoming an essential component of organizations’ operational technology (OT) infrastructure. But for many operations, relying solely on public mobile networks or deploying large-area Wi-Fi systems won’t cut it. To get a more resilient wireless network with predictable performance that helps achieve higher productivity in their operations, organizations are instead looking to roll out their own private cellular networks – also known as wireless private networks or private mobile networks.

Building a 4G or 5G Wireless Private Network (WPN) offers enhanced capacity, security and scalability. This makes WPNs ideal for a wide range of applications, including mining, offshore oil rigs and ports, manufacturing factories, hospitals, and large outdoor spaces like stadiums and academic campuses. And as organizations consider a future of greater automation, autonomous vehicles, digital twinning and augmented reality, 5G networks’ high-performance specs draw particular interest. Gartner^®, “By 2027, at least 65% of private mobile networks deployed for production use will be 5G-based, compared with fewer than 10% in 2023.”

A 5G Wireless Private Network is a big step up in performance, but the enhanced capabilities also come with increased complexity. Here’s what you need to consider when evaluating a private 5G network for your organization.

A new network model

A Wireless Private Network requires careful planning and comes with technical considerations that few organizations are ready to tackle on their own. Cellular networks are more complex to design, operate and optimize than traditional networks. Solution designs need to accommodate a unique variety of requirements for resilience, latency, network performance and data security. To optimize performance, an in-house team needs to assess radio access networks (RANs), routers, SIM cards, wireless spectrum and service agreements with carriers, as well have the expertise to diagnose, troubleshoot and resolve cellular issues as they arise.

That’s why the core decision that leaders face about a WPN is how much control they want versus relying on a wireless carrier. The three primary options — public, dedicated private or hybrid — offer key differences in architecture, including the placement and ownership of the various 5G components such as base stations, core infrastructure and gateways for IP network connectivity.

To help guide your thinking, here is a brief overview of the three forms of cellular networks:

1. Public networks

Sharing a wireless carrier’s existing network is ideal for use cases that require extensive geographic coverage, such as ATM networks or delivery trucks. By leveraging the carrier's existing infrastructure and spectrum, organizations can minimize upfront capital expenditures.

While this model provides wide-area coverage, it’s essential to implement additional security measures like DDoS protection, IP VPN, or zero-trust network access to safeguard enterprise data, as traffic is directed through the public internet.

To enhance service levels and privacy, network slicing can also be used. This technology allows Rogers to dedicate specific network resources to an enterprise customer, enabling optimization for low latency, high quality of service, high capacity, and traffic separation.

2. Dedicated private networks

In contrast, a dedicated private 5G network provides complete control and isolation. Unlike public networks, organizations can deploy all networking components on-premises, ensuring exclusive focus on areas that require coverage. This allows for precise optimization of latency, availability, and other network parameters.

While requiring a higher upfront investment, the actual cost varies based on specific architectural needs. Dedicated private 5G networks are ideal for mission-critical applications that demand the utmost reliability, low latency, and privacy.

3. Hybrid private networks

A hybrid private cellular network combines the best of both public and private networks. While the core remains dedicated to the enterprise, the RAN and spectrum are shared with the public network. This hybrid approach offers several advantages:

●        Scalability: Organizations can dynamically adjust network resources to accommodate fluctuating traffic patterns, as seen in stadiums or campuses.

●        Reliability and security: Compared to Wi-Fi, hybrid networks provide enhanced reliability and security.

●        Lower Cost: Sharing resources with the public network can lead to cost savings compared to a fully private network.

While a hybrid private network doesn’t offer traffic prioritization, it still provides the security benefits of a private network while leveraging the cost advantages of a public network.

Spectrum

A key advantage of wireless private networks is their exclusive use of licensed spectrum. This ensures that the network is protected from interference caused by other services and applications; unlike Wi-Fi, which operates on unlicensed spectrum. The dedicated spectrum allocation guarantees a high quality of service for the enterprise. “By 2027, at least 40% of 5G-based private mobile networks will use local dedicated spectrum, up from less than 10% in 2023,” according to Gartner^®.

Working with a wireless carrier like Rogers gives enterprises access to licensed spectrum to enable their WPN.

Managing Wireless Private Networks

Regardless of whether an organization chooses a dedicated private or hybrid private 5G network model, Rogers offers managed services to ensure a carrier-grade network experience without the complexities of managing the network themselves.

Rogers can provide expert assistance in designing and architecting the network for optimal performance. Even if a company desires ownership and control over their WPN technology components, Rogers can effectively manage the network’s operations.

This includes proactive monitoring, rapid incident resolution, managed patches and upgrades, a dedicated Network Operations Center team, and a customer admin portal for SIM card        management, networking, and security for all devices on the WPN.                     

Learn more about Rogers Wireless Private Networks or contact us today.  

Gartner, How to Pick the Right Private 5G Option, By Bjarne Munch, Karen Brown, Mike Leibovitz, 22 March 2024. GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.