In recent years, 5G and Private 5G solutions have emerged as transformative technologies for enterprises, with more companies moving from discussions about it to actual deployments. As organizations seek reliable, high-speed, and secure connectivity, they increasingly turn to 5G for a range of use cases that Wi-Fi may not always accommodate. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Matt Addicks of Ericsson’s Enterprise Wireless Solutions business unit, and Ed Walton and Todd Kelly, both from STEP, a 5G solutions integrator. We discussed the essentials of deploying 5G solutions, including private 5G and 5G neutral host solutions, And more importantly, real-world deployments and outcomes.
Understanding Private 5G Solutions
Private 5G is an advanced wireless communication network designed specifically for enterprises. Unlike traditional public cellular networks, private 5G networks allow businesses to have complete control over their wireless infrastructure, ensuring better security, higher performance, and more tailored connectivity solutions. Key players like Ericsson have developed comprehensive platforms to support various industries in this space.
Ericsson’s portfolio includes a range of enterprise wireless solutions, with Private 5G being one of those offerings. These solutions offer flexibility and scalability to meet the needs of diverse environments, from sprawling manufacturing plants to remote mines. The Ericsson Private 5G solution is designed for challenging operational settings, providing cellular coverage where traditional Wi-Fi may struggle. This includes both large-scale facilities and smaller sites that need reliable connectivity but don’t require extensive infrastructure. Moreover, the company offers a simplified version—Ericsson Private 5G Compact—that caters to smaller deployments, offering a Wi-Fi-like architecture for seamless indoor and outdoor cellular coverage.
Beyond private networks, Ericsson has introduced neutral host solutions, allowing enterprises to extend the coverage of the three major US public carriers to under-served environments, such as office buildings, warehouses and logistics centers. This ensures continuous public network connectivity, which is crucial in emergencies where cellular communication is required.
The Real-World Application of Private 5G
The adoption of private 5G is not just theoretical, businesses across multiple sectors are already leveraging its benefits. According to Ed, CEO at STEP, a leading partner in the Ericsson ecosystem, industries like manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, healthcare, large venues and education are embracing 5G at a rapid pace. These sectors are solving for Industry 4.0 initiatives and require robust and reliable connectivity for AI, telematics, robotics, and automated mobile robots (AMRs) applications.
Todd Kelly, CTO at STEP highlighted a great example of multi-carrier coverage extension and a private 5G deployment and positive real-world outcomes, The example was Toyota Material Handling (TMH), which faced significant connectivity issues within its manufacturing and warehouse facilities. Their Wi-Fi network was underperforming, particularly with high mobility use cases like fast-moving vehicles with scanners. By implementing neutral host and private 5G solutions from Ericsson, TMH drastically improved the reliability and efficiency of its operations. The new 5G network significantly reduced overtime hours by 50%, enhanced employee morale, and unlocked the full potential of their AMR systems. TMH’s success with private 5G enabled them to scale their operations, integrating 5G into both indoor and outdoor environments while enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Ed Walton highlighted that an increasing number of organizations often started by deploying private 5G solutions and then added neutral host solutions to provide greater coverage for the public carriers in their environments.
The majority of examples demonstrate how private 5G is revolutionizing connectivity in environments where traditional Wi-Fi struggles with mobility, large areas, or high demands for consistent performance. The impact of deploying a hybrid network is immediate and transformative for customers.
Challenges in Deploying Private 5G
Despite its advantages, deploying private 5G is not without challenges. Matt from Ericsson highlights that organizations must consider several factors when implementing 5G. One significant challenge is cost, particularly for smaller enterprises that may not require extensive infrastructure. However, with compact and flexible solutions now available, many businesses can adopt private 5G at a scale that suits their needs.
Another challenge is the need for expertise. Enterprises familiar with Wi-Fi and traditional wired networks may lack in-house knowledge about private 5G. This is where strategic partnerships with companies like STEP come into play. STEP helps clients navigate the complexities of private 5G deployments, from understanding their connectivity needs on the traditional network and 5G side to selecting the right technologies and implementing secure, carrier-grade hybrid networks.
Private 5G must coexist with other networks like Wi-Fi, requiring a hybrid approach to network management. This requires careful planning and coordination to ensure seamless integration between 5G and Wi-Fi, especially as more devices and applications are added to enterprise networks. This is where having an integrator partner like STEP is critical to a successful deployment.
Benefits of Private 5G
The benefits accompanying the rise of private 5G are substantial, particularly for industries with high mobility or large operational environments. One of the most significant advantages is coverage. Private 5G networks provide much broader coverage than Wi-Fi, making them ideal for sprawling outdoor or indoor spaces, like warehouses and large manufacturing plants.
Private 5G also offers superior reliability. As Todd from STEP points out, 5G provides near-zero jitter and highly reliable connectivity, crucial for time-sensitive applications such as real-time data processing and automation. This reliability is especially beneficial in dynamic environments where machinery or equipment is constantly moving or being reconfigured, as in the case of TMH’s automated systems.
Moreover, private 5G offers enhanced security, which is a critical concern for industries handling sensitive data or requiring stringent access controls. Since private 5G networks are owned and controlled by the enterprise, businesses can implement custom security protocols, minimizing the risk of breaches or unauthorized access.
The Future of 5G and Wi-Fi: Complementary Technologies
One common question that arises when discussing private 5G is whether it will completely replace Wi-Fi. However, the consensus among the discussion group is that 5G and Wi-Fi will coexist, each serving distinct purposes based on use cases.
As Ed from STEP notes, enterprises are adopting hybrid network environments where 5G and Wi-Fi have a role. For example, Wi-Fi may still be the preferred option for high-throughput, low-mobility applications. At the same time, 5G is better suited for wide-area coverage, mobility, and real-time applications that demand low latency. STEP helps customers build and deploy hybrid carrier-grade enterprise networks.
Matt from Ericsson adds that the choice between 5G and Wi-Fi will ultimately depend on the specific use case. Some applications, such as large-scale automation or outdoor connectivity, will naturally gravitate toward 5G, while indoor applications with high data demands may continue to rely on Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
The rise of private 5G will only continue to accelerate, with deployments becoming more widespread. Enterprises are discovering its potential to transform operations, increase efficiency, and improve connectivity in environments where traditional networks struggle. By complementing existing Wi-Fi networks, private 5G is creating hybrid network solutions that meet the diverse needs of modern businesses. The technology is still evolving, but with its growing adoption and proven benefits, private 5G and 5G neutral host solutions are poised to become an integral part of the future of enterprise connectivity.
Please click on the links for more information on Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions or STEP-hybrid network solutions.
For more coverage on Ericsson: Ericsson’s Network APIs Venture Unlocks Vast Potential for Telcos (thecuberesearch.com) and Ericsson Rebrands Cradlepoint Enterprise Wireless Solutions (thecuberesearch.com)
