How to meet the demand for 5G private networks

A growing number of companies are looking to launch their own 5G private networks. We explore how cartographic solutions can help RF planners roll projects out more efficiently.  

At a glance: 

• 5G private networks are on the rise
• We explore common use cases for private networks 
• Learn how cartographic solutions support the rollout of a 5G private network

The number of organizations with their own private network is growing fast. In 2022, there were as few as 4,000 private 5G networks worldwide. By 2028, there will be over 60,000, according to forecasts by Analysys Mason.

Telecom firms worldwide are gearing up to support this emerging niche. Let’s learn more about the private network sector and see how cartography can help RF planners manage projects more efficiently.

A mining area

What is a 5G private network?

A private network is simply a non-public mobile network. The owner of the network may either buy or rent spectrum. To access the network, devices must have a SIM card or eSIM that is approved by the network owner. In most cases, the private network is made available in a specific geographic location, such as a building, a campus, or a port, for example. Private networks can be delivered indoors or outdoors (or both). 

Why are more companies seeking their own private network?

“Companies with investments in 5G, edge computing, AI, sensors and private networks have seen 9 to 11-times gains in safety, productivity and efficiency” - Bell Labs Consulting. 

For telecom firms, the private network niche represents an exciting emerging market. But where is this demand coming from?  

• Companies in changeable environments

Some organizations work in highly changeable environments, where traditional internet connectivity or standard cell towers are not suitable. For example, a company with an open-cast mine will need base stations positioned to reach below the surface of the surrounding landscape as the mine gets deeper. Military bases that move locations may need their own private network. Some kinds of energy producers, forestry companies, or disaster relief providers also operate in a changing landscape. 

• Companies with a great need for security and control

One of the major advantages of having your own private network is that it can offer greater security and control. Unlike using public networks, a private network allows companies to transmit data without it passing through the public internet, thereby making it much harder for malicious actors to hack into your systems. This is particularly relevant to organizations such as sea and airports, hospitals or military facilities. 

• Efficiency and reliability

A private mobile network can be a much more efficient way of providing internet connections in many situations. Rather than needing to install hundreds of meters of wiring and routers around their premises, a mobile network lets organizations deliver high-quality internet connections to thousands of devices over a relatively wide area—all from a single base station. Again, this is attractive to companies in many situations, from campuses to private businesses or agriculture. 

Related: 7 challenges of 5G network deployment

Where are private networks most in demand?

There are several industries and scenarios where 5G private networks are in especially high demand:

• Mining operations

Mining companies often work in remote locations with little or no access to the telecommunications network. Having a private network set up for their sites can be very valuable. 

At LuxCarta, we work with a telecom firm that has a customer in the mining sector. We provide the essential geospatial data for planning and implementing a robust 5G network underground. This network enabled autonomous drill rigs and real-time monitoring of environmental conditions. This type of private network supports safety, operational coordination, and data-driven decision-making in challenging environments. 

Planning and simulation purposes in mining operations

• Campuses

Universities and large businesses with campuses can benefit from a private 5G network. This kind of network facilitates much faster internet connections, reduces reliance on WiFi networks, and supports research and development too. 

We provide mapping services to one telecom company whose customer, a major university, wanted a private 5G network that interconnected several campus buildings, including dormitories, lecture halls, and research labs. This network accommodates thousands of simultaneous connections and manages extensive data transfer requirements for academic and administrative purposes. It improved the campus's operational efficiency and enriched the learning environment by integrating cutting-edge educational tools and real-time access to research databases.

• Seaports

Modern ports can seriously benefit from 5G private networks. They help port operators digitally transform and use the most advanced technology—from automated cranes to IoT (Internet of Things) sensors that track the movement of containers to drones that conduct safety inspections. A private network offers reliability and security over a wide area and, therefore, allows far more coverage than traditional WiFi-enabled networks. 

Our geodata solutions can help RF planners build a detailed picture of a port's layout and perimeter, identify obstacles, and efficiently manage network rollout. 

• Manufacturing

Indoor private networks can support the transition to digitalized ‘Industry 4.0’. Using mmWave 5G in a factory offers faster connections and data transfer than even broadband, and allows the processing of even more data than before. This improves communication between robots, production lines, and computing systems, making operations more efficient. 

• Agriculture

Private mobile networks are driving the digital transformation of agriculture. They support communication across the landscape, making it much easier to control drones, robots, watering systems, or IoT devices in far-off fields. 

LuxCarta’s cartographic solutions can help RF planners get a complete picture of the landscape, including hills, valleys, trees, buildings, and rivers, and create immersive 3D models. This supports more efficient placement of base stations and cell towers. 

Of course, there are many other potential applications for a private network—in sectors as diverse as defense, healthcare, retail, and beyond. Wherever your clients are based, we can help you create detailed, reliable, and accurate 3D maps to support private network rollout. 

LuxCarta supports RF planners with private network deployment

Our RF planning solutions have been used by telecom firms to plan multiple private network projects in diverse industries. LuxCarta provides detailed geodata about your area of interest, anywhere on the planet - be that a remote mine, rural farmland, busy ports or dense campuses. This geodata helps improve the planning of projects, so you can identify the best locations for network infrastructure, ‘spot’ obstacles, and achieve optimal coverage. 

For support with mapping out a private network for your clients, contact LuxCarta today.