7 minute read
Private networks for the regional market
A new solution for servicing rural communities
Today, with the acceleration to digitalization and the Internet of Things (IoT), the need for connectivity is a given for public and private businesses. From factory-floor automation and the control of autonomous automobiles, to smart grid solutions and high-definition video surveillance, to patient monitoring in healthcare, practically all industry sectors are pursuing operating models that require high-performing and reliable wireless networking solutions.
For regional operators that want to support business-critical communications, private networks are the best option for meeting increasing demands for network coverage, performance, security and reliability.
What is a private network?
A private network fulfills critical capabilities to interconnect people, machines, vehicles, sensors and other devices. Its advantage lies in the use of dedicated resources, fully under the enterprise’s control. Only authorized devices/users can access network resources.
Currently, private networks are based on LTE, which delivers the best performance and speeds available today. LTE technology offers the additional advantage of ensured compatibility and readiness for 5G. 5G will enable further enhancements with higher bandwidth, both uplink and downlink, shorter latency and flexible resource allocation.
How a private network functions
A private network is locally set up and uses dedicated radio equipment and assigned spectrum in a radio access network (RAN) to serve premises with wireless connectivity. In addition to mobile broadband data capabilities, voice, video, messaging and IoT features may also be included.
Because radio coverage is independent of public mobile networks provisioned by mobile network operators (MNO), a private network guarantees quality of service tailored to business and application performance needs, with dedicated network capacity.
How private networks are deployed
A private network can be deployed entirely on the enterprise’s premises as a standalone system, or it can be part of an integrated system, where some functions of the private network are hosted at a central site. By utilizing existing infrastructure of an operator or non-operator such as a system integrator (SI), an integrated solution can lower CAPEX and OPEX for the enterprise. But since it’s dependent on central resources, an integrated system may have a lower degree of local survivability.
Enterprises will need spectrum
Enterprises need access to the spectrum they require for their private network deployment. Segment-specific spectrum may be allocated by the regulator directly to industries such as public safety, rail, peacekeeping and defense. Shared spectrum is sometimes available locally, for instance, by Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). [1]
The vast majority of enterprises turn to a MNO that has access to licensed spectrum and offers private network services together with Ericsson.
Why would an enterprise choose a private network?
A private network offers enterprises several advantages compared to competing technologies and applications such as mobile operator public networks or land mobile radio (LMR) network technologies. Private networks offer:
• Standardized ecosystem: As a 3GPP technology, private networks’ LTE benefits from the interoperability, multidevice availability and multi-application capabilities provided by the standard.
• End-to-end security: The 3GPPspecified security architecture ensures end-to-end security with immunity toward illegal intrusion intents.
Advantages compared to public networks
For many enterprises, leveraging an existing mobile operator’s public network is sufficient to cover the basic need or connectivity and communication. However, in numerous industry situations, the services provided by public networks are not enough to cover all business requirements for mobile coverage, capacity and internal control. For these, a private network has significant advantages:
• Guaranteed full coverage of an entire enterprise, both indoors and outdoors, including remote locations where public networks are not available, such as mining locations and off-shore oil rigs
• Ensured capacity, with network performance service-level agreements, such as uplink and downlink bitrates and latency
• Survivability, i.e., the capacity of the network to provide continuous service in the presence of failures
• Retained control over how resources are utilized since traffic is prioritized, the RAN is optimized and security is controlled to ensure that sensitive information remains secured within the premises
Advantages compared to Wi-Fi
For many applications such as missioncritical communication services and ultrahigh-definition video surveillance, Wi-Fi simply is inadequate. A private network based on LTE/5G performance can ensure:
• Predictable low latency required for many IoT applications that rely on time-bound communications, where delays can result in a catastrophic failure
• Network capacity even under heavy system load
• Coverage of substantially larger areas per radio site than networks based on Wi-Fi technology
• Seamless mobility and handover for reliable connectivity between transmission points during movement of devices
• Security and encryption to protect integrity thanks to 3GPP standards
• Superior spectrum efficiency, allowing for predictable and controllable traffic planning
• Interoperability with a wide range of commercial devices conforming to the 3GPP standards, reducing the total cost of ownership and preventing lock-in to proprietary non-standard solutions
• Configurable quality of service (QoS)
It’s time to offer private networks to your customers.
For regional carriers, private networks present an ideal opportunity to respond to the urgent needs of existing customers and those of potential new business. Offering private networks can help them:
• Diversify their portfolio with a lucrative and less price-sensitive enterprise portfolio. For regional carriers that have enterprise solutions like mobility, broadband, fiber connectivity, enterprise voice services, VPNs, SDNs, and others, private networks are an add-on that could be bundled with existing services to further diversify the offerings.
• Gain an additional revenue opportunity by leveraging existing enterprise relationships. Regional carriers enjoy an unrivaled depth of engagement with rural enterprise—manufacturing facilities, oil and gas operations, mining, warehouses, utilities and agricultural zones.
Regional carriers have a deep understanding of their markets and their customers and a demonstrated commitment to their needs. As a result, they are uniquely well-placed to create opportunities that make a positive impact on their communities. A private network option can spur local economic activity and enable various specialized and localized 5G use cases.
With the FCC launching such funding streams as the Rural Digital Opportunity and Rural 5G Funds, rural service providers are now able to offer rural broadband, build more fiber routes and get access to more spectrum. With these key assets in the private network value chain, regional operators can deliver private network solutions to the enterprises with better economics and profit profiles than the Tier-1s can afford.
As Tier-1s research and invest in private networks for their own markets, regional carriers have access to standards-based, proven technologies, validated business models and a proliferating ecosystem to tap into private networks’ potential.
Use cases
Low latency, high-data capacity, security, coverage, seamless mobility, survivability, interoperability, local control and optimization—the advantages of private networks enable use cases across a wide variety of industries, functions and value chain steps. Service providers can deploy private networks at diverse sites, ranging from mining and utilities to seaports and healthcare locations.
HORIZONTAL CAPABILITIES—applicable across multiple use cases:
Monitoring, positioning and enhanced video: With their low latency and high capacity, private networks enable real-time monitoring, tracking and video surveillance as mission-critical services.
Real-time automation: The low latency, high reliability, ensured quality of service, high bandwidth and capacity of the private network support massive connection of devices and applications. These capacities make possible real-time automation applications such as industrial automation, distributed automation and smart grid solutions for the utility industry.
Augmented (AR) and virtual (VR) reality: AR/VR applications will thrive thanks to the low latency and high bandwidth of private networks. Application examples include education and training such as real-time work task guidance, communication and collaboration, remote control and guidance as well as social sharing.
VERTICAL USE CASE EXAMPLES for specific industries:
Mining: The mining industry faces several connectivity challenges and complicated network needs, mostly due to operations being performed in remote areas where legacy LMR and other networks are unfeasible. A private network with high speed, low latency and robust coverage can control operations of the mine, along with workforce management and emergency response. Reliable digital voice communications, precise positioning and real-time remote control of machinery will improve efficiency and safety conditions.
Manufacturing: Many manufacturing systems are business-critical. A manufacturing plant with a private network is able to replace wired connections to machines and robots with wireless connections. Applications include autonomous smart manufacturing and remotely controlled vehicles with positioning precise to a couple of centimeters. The manufacturer will experience major gains in operational efficiency and a more independent and efficient enterprise.
Let Ericsson help you leverage your hometown advantage.
Ericsson is a global leader when it comes to building, maintaining and operating mobile networks. Ericsson’s services organization can support regional carriers in all parts of the world.
Our expertise isn’t reserved for big Tier-1 service providers. Through our Regional Connect program, Ericsson works closely with regional carriers, supporting their imperatives and their values to serve their communities while seeking growth and sustainability.
Choosing Ericsson for development of a private network provides regional carriers with a long-term partner that will continue to drive innovation within communication and connectivity. Ericsson has a well-proven technology that is compliant with all regulatory standards and is trusted to deliver critical infrastructure solutions and services to a wide variety of business and civil functions.
Having performed many private network installations and supported enterprises of all sizes, Ericsson is ready to support regional carriers and their customers throughout the connectivity journey.
Learn more about private networks at www.ericsson.com/en/networks/offerings/mission-critical-private-networks.
[1] CBRS is an independent and international member-driven consortium that drives the development of cellular-based technology in the shared spectrum according to the 3GPP standards.
