Private 4G and 5G Networking: Everything You Need to Know

What is Private Networking?

Picture a sprawling music festival ground spanning tens of acres of open space. Thousands of attendees, hundreds of staff members, dozens of vendors, and critical security personnel all need reliable connectivity. Traditional WiFi would require an impractical number of access points, and public cellular networks often become congested with thousands of users. This is where private cellular networks demonstrate their value – with just a few strategically placed base stations, a private 4G network can blanket the entire venue with robust, secure coverage.

The same network could simultaneously handle point-of-sale systems for vendors, coordinate security communications, enable staff logistics, and support critical operations – all with higher power transmission and broader coverage than WiFi and more reliably than public networks. 

This capability extends well beyond event spaces. Distribution centers use private networks to connect workers and track inventory across their vast indoor and outdoor spaces. Mining operations maintain critical communications across their worksites. Businesses with IoT devices reduce costs by bringing their cellular connectivity in-house. Manufacturing facilities connect their automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic arms, and quality control systems for a more efficient workflow.  The applications are diverse, but they all leverage the same core strengths: superior wide-area coverage, reliable performance, secure data handling, and cost-effective operation at scale.

At its core, a private cellular network is a dedicated wireless network infrastructure that uses 4G LTE or 5G technology to provide coverage for a specific area, operating independently from public cellular networks like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. This independence allows organizations to maintain complete control over their network's performance, security, traffic, and configuration. Private networks are deployed and managed by an organization (or their chosen partners) for their own devices, unlike public networks operated by mobile network operators (MNOs), whose resources are shared among the general public. Sectors that handle sensitive data, run mission-critical applications, manage complex IoT systems, or require uninterrupted service are the primary beneficiaries of private networks. Private networks make the most sense in the manufacturing, warehousing, mining, oil and gas, logistics, healthcare, entertainment, and construction sectors.

Private Network vs Public Cellular Network vs WiFi

A private cellular network combines the best of WiFi and public cellular technologies, making it ideal for organizations that require a “wide-area LAN.” Here is a comparison of key characteristics between private networking, WiFi, and public cellular networks: 

Performance

• Private Cellular: Guaranteed bandwidth and quality of service (QoS), lowest latency, consistent speeds, high-speed mobility, and can be optimized for specific use cases.
• Public Cellular: Variable performance based on user density and location, higher latency, and QoS isn’t guaranteed.
• WiFi: Best-effort service, higher latency, and performance vary with interference as WiFi operates in an unlicensed spectrum.

Control and Customization 

• Private Cellular: Complete control over the network, such as bandwidth allocation, access control, prioritization of critical applications, network slicing, traffic flow management, and custom security policies. 
• Public Cellular: Limited to the carrier's service parameters and policies.
• WiFi: Local network control but within the constraints of unlicensed spectrum.

Coverage and Scale

• Private Cellular: Better range per base station when compared to WiFi ranging from less than a mile radius in higher bands to hundreds of square miles in lower bands and better coverage for a given area than public cellular as placement of antennas is determined by the organization. Backup connectivity through WiFi or public cellular.
• Public Cellular: Coverage almost nationwide and most devices already work with the bands used by commercial carriers, but lack of coverage in remote areas and weak coverage indoors are the major drawbacks. 
• WiFi: Generally 50-100m range per access point. Requires dense access point deployment for full coverage, which can quickly become expensive. 

Security

• Private Cellular: Network isolated from public access reducing exposure to external threats, SIM-based and multi-factor authentication, advanced encryption such as end-to-end encryption, dedicated security policies based on device and user, and better privacy for sensitive and proprietary data.
• Public Cellular: Shared infrastructure, standard encryption, data travels through the public core, more secure than WiFi.
• WiFi: Uses WPA3 encryption, which is more vulnerable to common wireless attacks and threats.

Cost 

• Private Cellular: Highest initial investment, but lower operational costs per device, and best ROI in the long term for large-scale, critical operations.
• Public Cellular: Minimal upfront costs, but may result in higher long-term costs due to monthly fees for data. Fees can easily balloon especially if the IoT devices are bandwidth demanding.CCTV cameras, for example.
• WiFi: Moderate initial costs and low ongoing maintenance costs in most cases, but can get expensive for larger spaces.

While there are key differences between private 4G LTE and 5G networks, public networks, and WiFi, they all have their distinct advantages. In many cases, all three can work in tandem with each other to provide more comprehensive connectivity for organizations. The level of integration of the three depends on what best suits the organization’s operational requirements and budget constraints.

Components of Private Cellular Network 

Private cellular networks operate on the same technical principles of 4G LTE or 5G as public networks, but the key difference is that the infrastructure is dedicated to the use of the organization, not the general public. 

The basic components of a private network include:

• Radio Access Network (RAN): This includes small cells and access points like eNodeB (4G LTE) and gNodeB (5G New Radio) or LTE or 5G-enabled routers that provide wireless coverage within the designated area and baseband controllers that link access points to the core network. 
• Core Network or Evolved Packet Core (EPC): The central system, or “the brain,” that manages essential functions like user authentication, data management, routing, traffic control, and network policies. 
• User Equipment (UE): Smartphones, tablets, IoT sensors, industrial equipment, and other connected devices. These devices use specially configured SIM cards or eSIMs to access the network. 
• Network Management Systems: Software tools for network monitoring, optimization, and maintenance.
• Spectrum Access System (SAS) - Applicable when the private network uses the CBRS band, the SAS facilitates and manages spectrum allocation across the network and prevents interference with protected tiers of CBRS (more on CBRS below)

Spectrum Used for Private Cellular Network 

Private 4G LTE and 5G networks are generally deployed over licensed, unlicensed, or shared spectrums and operate in various frequency bands:

• Licensed Spectrum: Organizations can license spectrum from regulatory authorities or carriers. Carriers can also build and operate a private 5G or LTE network as a service for organizations.
• Unlicensed Spectrum: Organizations can operate a private cellular network in an unlicensed spectrum, such as in the band used for Wi-Fi or LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U). 
• Shared Spectrum: Organizations can deploy private LTE and 5G networks using spectrum that is lightly licensed but shared, such as CBRS (or Band 48) in the US. This type of private network deployment is most common in the US. CBRS offers several benefits over WiFi such as improved security, enhanced mobility and range, and better capacity.

Band 48 CBRS Explained

Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), or Band 48, represents a revolutionary approach to spectrum sharing in the United States. Under this service, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allows the shared commercial use of the 3550-3700 MHz band (3.5 GHz band). 

CBRS allows enables private LTE deployment through a three-tiered access framework:

1. Incumbent Access: Incumbent Access users include authorized federal users (such as the US Military and Navy), Fixed Satellite Service stations, and certain grandfathered wireless broadband licensees. These users receive protection from harmful interference from users in the other two tiers.
2. Priority Access: This tier is accessible to Priority Access License (PAL) holders, who get protected access to portions of the band. The licenses are offered on a county-by-county basis through competitive bidding and existing holders can transfer or lease their license to others. Each PAL consists of a 10 megahertz channel within the 3550-3650 MHz band and is a 10-year renewable license. PALs must prevent interference with Incumbent Access users but accept interference from them. They, however, receive protection from General Authorized Access users. 
3. General Authorized Access (GAA): This tier allows unlicensed access to the bands on a shared and best-effort basis. It allows access to the widest group of users but these users must not cause harmful interference to Incumbent Access users or PALs and must accept interference from these users. 

This framework has democratized access to cellular spectrum, making private network deployment more accessible and cheaper to a broader range of organizations. The majority of private network deployments in the US are using CBRS spectrum, and a much smaller number run by traditional network operators on licensed spectrum.

Deployment Models for Private Network Solutions

There are several approaches that an organization can adopt to implement private cellular networks: 

Fully Owned Infrastructure or On-Premise Private Networks: Organizations can purchase and operate all network components independently or work with a specialist to install the technology on-premise. This approach offers maximum control but requires significant expertise and investment. It's particularly suitable for large enterprises with specific requirements and the resources to manage complex network infrastructure.

Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) or Cloud-Based Private Networks: This solution provides private network capabilities through a managed service model. The infrastructure is owned and operated by a service provider but dedicated to the organization's use. This approach allows for remote management, easy scaling, and lower upfront costs and maintenance overhead while maintaining many benefits of private networking. 

Hybrid Approaches: Hybrid deployments combine on-premises and cloud-based elements, offering the control of local management with the flexibility and scalability of cloud solutions. For example, they might own the radio network but use cloud providers for core network operations. 

Deployment and Management of Private Cellular Networks

Deploying and managing a private cellular network involves several stages:

Planning Phase

The initial phase involves working with experts to:

• Identify the use case 
• Assess Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as the number of connected devices, required bandwidth, data speeds, and latency
• Conduct a site survey to identify antenna placement
• Acquire spectrum or make other spectrum access arrangements
• Plan integration with existing WiFi and public cellular systems.
• Determine the underlying technology to use (4G LTE vs 5G)
• Select the type of infrastructure (on-premise, cloud, hybrid, etc.) and specific hardware components to procure
• Ensure the chosen model and hardware is future-proof

Implementation Phase

Key steps of the implementation stage involve working with a team of specialists to:

• Install the RAN, core network, and other components either on-site or in the cloud
• Set up and configure the core network
• Implement the required network security policies
• Provision and test devices on the network
• Integrate with enterprise systems
• Optimize and fine-tune the network
• Train the staff to effectively use the private network
• Ensure the system adheres to regional and international regulatory standards

Ongoing Management

Continuous operations require:

• Performance monitoring and optimization
• Security updates and patch management
• Capacity planning and scaling
• Incident response and troubleshooting
• Regular maintenance and upgrades

Organizations often use network management platforms to oversee operations remotely. With advancements in cloud-based network management tools, enterprises can also manage private networks using AI for predictive maintenance and performance optimization.

Future of Private Networks

Several trends are shaping the future of 5G networks, mainly:

• 5G and 6G advancements: Higher speeds, lower latency, and network slicing capabilities are unlocking new possibilities in various industries, further making private networks an attractive proposition.
• Edge computing: The ability to process data closer to the source is enabling real-time applications and improved efficiency in organizations. 
• Internet of Things (IoT) growth: The massive growth in IoT devices is also increasing the demand for dedicated and secure private networks.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration: AI-powered network optimization and automation is expected to enhance performance and efficiency of private networks.
• Better regulatory environment: New spectrum allocation policies across the world and simplified licensing procedures are making private networks easier and quicker to deploy.‍
• Increased vendor competition and innovation: An increase in competition in this market has provided more flexible deployment options and reduced the cost of entry for smaller organizations.‍
• WiFi 6 and 7: With newer, better WiFi standards emerging, some organizations might be able to meet their requirements by relying on WiFi 6 and 7 rather than private networks. While these might be more cost-effective, private networks still offer the best performance overall.