Mobile private network technology enablers
Mark Newman03 Sep 2021
Mobile private network technology enablers
Mobile private networks (MPNs) use the same kinds of network elements as public or macrocellular networks, which consist of a radio access network (RAN) and core. Communications service providers (CSPs) are modernizing public mobile networks to exploit the potential of cloud and edge computing, and MPNs will do the same. Indeed, MPNs are likely to be even more agile and innovative given that they will be greenfield networks.
The leaders among RAN vendors worldwide are Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia, according to Gartner’s 2021 Magic Quadrant for 5G infrastructure, which also recognized Samsung, ZTE and NEC as “visionary”. Other players include Microsoft with its acquisitions of Metaswitch and Affirmed Networks, and Mavenir which is a strong player in open RAN. Most MPNs use RAN equipment from these vendors, and enterprises also use the suppliers’ small cell solutions where MPNs require indoor coverage. Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia also provide core networks to enterprises, as do specialists such as Athonet, which currently connects more than 500,000 users/IoT devices, Druid Software, and Motorola Solutions, which has remained a provider of networks for critical emergency services despite its disappearance from the market for macrocellular networks.
All the core vendors are facing stiff competition from public cloud providers, which offer core networks that allow enterprises to keep their data onsite while simultaneously leveraging the broader capabilities of the public cloud. Where the MPN market overlaps with indoor coverage, vendors including SpiderCloud Wireless, CommScope and Boingo have experience building networks using distributed antenna systems (DAS). The difference between DAS and MPNs is that while MPNs are designed to provide services only to the business and its employees, DAS also provides public mobile network coverage inside buildings.
Most commercial MPNs use LTE network technology even though there are several 5G MPN trials and proofs of concept underway. Jane Rygaard, Head of Dedicated Wireless Networks and Edge Cloud at Nokia, notes that it took several years for the LTE ecosystem to evolve in support of MPNs.
Similarly, it could take time for enterprises to understand what MPNs can achieve using standalone 5G and fully cloud-enabled networks. This may involve fundamental redesign of software stacks embedded within devices to allow them to make use of public cloud capabilities. The enterprise then will need to go through a long process of testing the capabilities to decide which decisions can be made centrally
in the cloud and which need to remain with the device.
Rygaard also points to the need for 5G chipsets to focus on uplink rather than downlink for IoT services and for reliability in the network to be able to offer network service level agreements (SLAs) across both 5G and LTE.
While many enterprises contract with network equipment providers for MPNs, they sometimes start with systems integrators, mobile operators or hyperscale cloud providers.
All the companies then work within an ecosystem of partners to deliver an end-to-end solution.
The leaders among RAN vendors worldwide are Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia, according to Gartner’s 2021 Magic Quadrant for 5G infrastructure, which also recognized Samsung, ZTE and NEC as “visionary”. Other players include Microsoft with its acquisitions of Metaswitch and Affirmed Networks, and Mavenir which is a strong player in open RAN. Most MPNs use RAN equipment from these vendors, and enterprises also use the suppliers’ small cell solutions where MPNs require indoor coverage. Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia also provide core networks to enterprises, as do specialists such as Athonet, which currently connects more than 500,000 users/IoT devices, Druid Software, and Motorola Solutions, which has remained a provider of networks for critical emergency services despite its disappearance from the market for macrocellular networks.
All the core vendors are facing stiff competition from public cloud providers, which offer core networks that allow enterprises to keep their data onsite while simultaneously leveraging the broader capabilities of the public cloud. Where the MPN market overlaps with indoor coverage, vendors including SpiderCloud Wireless, CommScope and Boingo have experience building networks using distributed antenna systems (DAS). The difference between DAS and MPNs is that while MPNs are designed to provide services only to the business and its employees, DAS also provides public mobile network coverage inside buildings.
LTE or 5G?
Most commercial MPNs use LTE network technology even though there are several 5G MPN trials and proofs of concept underway. Jane Rygaard, Head of Dedicated Wireless Networks and Edge Cloud at Nokia, notes that it took several years for the LTE ecosystem to evolve in support of MPNs.
“We got the first LTE network in a mine in 2012,” she says, adding that it took until 2016 to outfit trucks in the mine with embedded LTE. “It was 2018/2019 before we had the first automated LTE-enabled mine.”
Similarly, it could take time for enterprises to understand what MPNs can achieve using standalone 5G and fully cloud-enabled networks. This may involve fundamental redesign of software stacks embedded within devices to allow them to make use of public cloud capabilities. The enterprise then will need to go through a long process of testing the capabilities to decide which decisions can be made centrally
in the cloud and which need to remain with the device.
Rygaard also points to the need for 5G chipsets to focus on uplink rather than downlink for IoT services and for reliability in the network to be able to offer network service level agreements (SLAs) across both 5G and LTE.
Devices & applications
While many enterprises contract with network equipment providers for MPNs, they sometimes start with systems integrators, mobile operators or hyperscale cloud providers.
All the companies then work within an ecosystem of partners to deliver an end-to-end solution.
The graphic above, created for our December 2020 report on enterprise 5G, shows the types of partners that may need to work together to deliver drones-as-a-service.
While this example illustrates enterprise services broadly, the same kind of ecosystem could apply to MPNs. Most MPNs are for IoT applications which require network and device connectivity. The primary contractor or service provider typically has the role of making sure that devices and applications connect to the network, and in many cases they must source the devices.
However, securing 5G modules and devices and embedding them can be challenging because most use cases for 5G-enabled IoT are new and need specialized industrial devices – typically a router with an embedded SIM card connected via a 5G antenna. The router connects to sensors in the network or devices such as video cameras.
Manufacturers of such devices are likely to be located in China or Taiwan, so the primary MPN contractor must travel there to source components. Given that many use cases are specialized, the enterprise or contractor often commits to a small number of devices which are manufactured from scratch and require extensive testing.
Integrating software can also be complicated. Whether in a port or factory, existing devices in an MPN come with their own software which must be integrated with new software once they become IoT-enabled. For example, location-based software and software to ensure the safe functioning of the new IoT application must be added.
Download the report Mobile private networks: Exploring the CSP opportunity to find out more.
While this example illustrates enterprise services broadly, the same kind of ecosystem could apply to MPNs. Most MPNs are for IoT applications which require network and device connectivity. The primary contractor or service provider typically has the role of making sure that devices and applications connect to the network, and in many cases they must source the devices.
However, securing 5G modules and devices and embedding them can be challenging because most use cases for 5G-enabled IoT are new and need specialized industrial devices – typically a router with an embedded SIM card connected via a 5G antenna. The router connects to sensors in the network or devices such as video cameras.
Manufacturers of such devices are likely to be located in China or Taiwan, so the primary MPN contractor must travel there to source components. Given that many use cases are specialized, the enterprise or contractor often commits to a small number of devices which are manufactured from scratch and require extensive testing.
Integrating software can also be complicated. Whether in a port or factory, existing devices in an MPN come with their own software which must be integrated with new software once they become IoT-enabled. For example, location-based software and software to ensure the safe functioning of the new IoT application must be added.
Download the report Mobile private networks: Exploring the CSP opportunity to find out more.
