Private 4G and 5G Networks

Private 4G and 5G networks are aimed at enterprise customers both large and small. While these standards-based networks hold significant promise, the report examines why an enterprise would incur the extra capital and operating expense to purchase and run a private cellular network when they already have public cellular and private wireless networks such as Wi-Fi.

Communications are essential, as the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world, but what are business-critical communications? While this varies by industry, most businesses are unable to run without their employees: one form of business-critical communications relates to keeping employees safe.

Today, most private cellular networks are based on 4G LTE while the specifications for 5G NR are being finalized during the next few years. Many of the use cases that 5G promises to solve can be addressed—at least in part—by private 4G LTE networks.

This report provides some examples of industries where private cellular networks are solving problems today. These include the manufacturing industry and automated factories, natural resource extraction and delivery, port and transportation hubs, as well as some examples being utilized by smaller enterprises. Next, a discussion around the suppliers of private cellular networks and a list of some of these suppliers is provided. Finally, the report ends with a discussion of the impact the pandemic is having both on 4G and 5G, in general, and on private cellular networks, in particular.