What is Private 5G/LTE?

Paul Marshall

Founder & CCO

LinkedIn

5G is the next generation of wireless network technology. The standard was developed by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) and has been adopted by major mobile operators around the globe.  

By 2030, Gartner estimates that 408,000 devices will be connected by 5G around the world. 5G/LTE is the latest and fastest mobile network technology and promises faster data speeds, better coverage, lower latency, and higher bandwidth than earlier generations of mobile networks.  

Businesses across all sectors, from oil and gas to construction, are benefiting from private networking. As 5G rolls out, companies are considering whether the features of 5G and the benefits of private networks can give them a competitive advantage. 

Public vs private 5G networks 

There are two types of 5G networks: public and private. 

Public 5G networks are owned and operated by telecom companies. Public 5G uses the frequencies in low-band, mid-band or high-band millimetre-wave 24 GHz up to 54 GHz. These frequencies are called the licensed spectrum. The licensed spectrum allows operators to use the frequency across specific geographic areas. 

Private LTE and 5G networks use the same technology that’s used for public networks and operate in licensed, unlicensed, or shared wireless spectrum. A private network is for the exclusive use of an enterprise and is typically operated by a single company. It may operate as a standalone network with no interoperability with other networks or it may be configured to switch to public networks if a device leaves the area of private network coverage. 

How does private 5G/LTE benefit IoT? 

Private 5G/LTE is a newer technology that offers higher speeds and lower latency than regular public 5G/LTE networks. IoT devices can communicate with each other faster and more efficiently, which opens up a world of possibilities. 

It is designed for use in industrial, commercial and Enterprise settings, where high-speed, low-latency connectivity is essential. Private 5G/LTE networks can be customised to meet the specific needs of individual businesses. 

5G provides capabilities for high device density (around a million devices per square kilometre), low power requirements that enable longer battery life, and extended coverage and penetration. This supports use cases in utilities, industrial and educational campuses, smart buildings and cities, agriculture, transport, and logistics.  

Which industries use private 5G? 

Interest in private 5G solutions is growing. In a recent study by Kaleido Intelligence more than 750 enterprises were surveyed: among non-adopters of cellular IoT, 69% of respondents reported they were considering using the technology to enhance business operations, while 65% of cellular IoT adopters reported the same.  

However, current adoption remains low: 29% of cellular IoT adopters have a private LTE or 5G deployment in place, while 2% of cellular IoT non-adopters have a solution in place. 

Some of the industries that are currently using or planning to use private 5G include: 

• Industrial: smart factories, manufacturing, logistics, and smart cities  
• Commercial: retail, hospitality, energy/utilities, and transportation (connected fleets) 
• Enterprise: finance, healthcare, and government 

Paul Marshall

Founder & CCO

LinkedIn

Paul is one of Eseye’s co-founders. With a background in senior design engineering, Paul’s focus is on ensuring his development, operations and support teams deliver solutions that work faultlessly in the field.

Paul was co-founder of CompXs, with Ian Marsden, and developed the world’s first IEEE 802.15.4 radio. Before CompXs, Paul was in senior radio design at Philips.