By Paulo Campos, President, R&M USA Inc.

Businesses and public sector entities increasingly seek secure, reliable, and high-performance connectivity solutions, and private 5G networks are emerging as an ideal solution. The U.S. private 5G market is expanding rapidly, with forecasts predicting $20 billion by 2030. As adoption accelerates, private 5G is expected to play a crucial role in the future of enterprise digital transformation in the U.S. 

Private 5G is a dedicated, site-specific cellular network that provides secure, high-speed connectivity for organizations at locations such as factories, hospitals, military bases, or campuses. Unlike public 5G, operated by telecom carriers and shared by consumers, private 5G networks are directly managed by the deploying organization or their managed service providers (MSPs). This allows precise optimization of speed, bandwidth, and latency to meet specific operational demands, enhancing reliability, security, and performance and support for mission-critical applications with dedicated spectrum, automation, and ultra-reliable connectivity. Sensitive information remains within the organization and latency can be optimized to ultra-low levels (<5ms), unlike public 5G, where performance varies based on network conditions, congestion, and resource sharing.

Additionally, private 5G networks can operate on licensed, unlicensed, or shared spectrum, such as CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) in the U.S., whereas public 5G is limited to licensed spectrum owned by telecom carriers. This flexibility enables private networks to implement tailored solutions optimized for high-speed data transmission, ultra-low latency, and enhanced security through dedicated resources and customized operational policies.

Applications

Private 5G networks are already demonstrating significant value across various sectors. In manufacturing, companies are utilizing private 5G for real-time automation, robotics, automated production management, and predictive maintenance powered by AI analytics. Companies like Ford and BMW are leveraging private 5G to optimize factory production. Healthcare organizations deploy private 5G in smart hospitals, enabling advanced applications like real-time patient monitoring, robotic-assisted surgeries, AR/VR-based training, telemedicine, and remote diagnostics. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is testing private 5G to improve patient care.The transportation and logistics sectors use private 5G networks for efficient autonomous vehicle coordination, intelligent port operations, and real-time asset tracking.

Retailers and smart city developers are experimenting with private 5G to power AI-driven checkout systems, smart inventory tracking, and intelligent traffic management systems. Warehousing and logistics can also benefit: private 5G enables automated inventory tracking and streamlined warehouse operations. In transportation and ports, private 5G enhances autonomous vehicle coordination and real-time tracking. The energy and utilities sector is a key adopter, leveraging private 5G for smart grid monitoring, preventing blackouts, and real-time pipeline and oil rig surveillance. In government and defense, private 5G is being deployed for secure military communications, encrypted drone operations, and public safety networks. The U.S. Air Force is currently rolling out private 5G on military bases.

Some key differences

Public and private 5G networks differ significantly in design, deployment, and operation. Public 5G networks are built to provide nationwide or regional coverage managed by telecom operators using a combination of macro and small cells, particularly in dense areas. They are optimized for general use, with latency depending on location and network congestion. Network slicing may help cater to different needs, such as low latency for IoT applications or high-speed connections for mobile users. In contrast, private 5G networks are designed for specific enterprise or industrial applications within controlled environments. Localized coverage is tailored to precise operational requirements, utilizing small cells and localized RAN components. Networks may sometimes incorporate network slicing for different departments. 

Public 5G networks are built, owned, and maintained by telecom operators like Verizon, AT&T, or Vodafone. They operate using licensed spectrum allocated by regulatory bodies and leverage centralized or cloud-native 5G cores deployed across multiple locations. The large-scale nature of public 5G necessitates extensive planning, site acquisition, and regulatory approvals. Private 5G networks, however, can use licensed, unlicensed, or shared spectrum, such as CBRS in the U.S. They are owned and managed by enterprises or specialized service providers, typically relying on an on-premises or edge-based 5G core for localized processing. 

Designing, building, and operating a private 5G network

Several critical considerations are essential for successfully designing, building, and operating a private 5G network. Organizations should prioritize modular system designs for Fiber to the Antenna (FTTA) and Power to the Antenna (PTTA) deployments, facilitating rapid and efficient installation of both power and fiber optic cabling at 5G cell sites. Integrating fiber optic and power cabling into a hybrid infrastructure simplifies complexity and boosts reliability, ensuring high-speed data capabilities suitable for evolving standards such as WiFi 7.

Fiber to the Antenna (FTTA) connectivity requires optimized, robust solutions for connecting antennas and remote radio heads to significantly improve signal strength and overall network performance. Durable, secure fiber cabling designed explicitly for harsh outdoor environments is essential for maintaining operational integrity. Infrastructure monitoring and management is also key, providing real-time monitoring and management capabilities, simplifying processes for connectivity, network asset management, and capacity planning, enhancing responsiveness and accelerating decision-making. Finally, the splice closures must support rapid and reliable deployment, offering a compact, robust, and weather-resistant design suitable for challenging installation environments, alongside superior mechanical sealing to protect fiber optic splices and ensure reliable, long-term operation. 

In conclusion…  

While public 5G networks deliver broad-based connectivity to general markets, private 5G networks provide organizations with customized, secure, and ultra-reliable connectivity tailored to specific operational requirements, unlocking unprecedented efficiencies and innovations across industries. Private 5G is gaining traction in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and smart facilities, where performance and control are critical. When developing, implementing, and operating a private 5G network, a fully integrated solution and a single point of contact are ideal to ensure consistency, compatibility, cost-effectiveness, and seamless integration.