Vodafone, Iliad highlight private mobile network deals as deployments near 1,000

Momentum is building for 4G and 5G mobile private networks around the world, although various factors are affecting deployment and the role of communications service providers (CSP) remains far from certain with other players in the mix

Indeed, a recent update from the Global mobile Suppliers’ Association (GSA) on mobile private network implementations found there was a close correlation between the number of mobile private network references and countries that have typically reserved spectrum for industrial or research deployments.

In such scenarios, CSPs are not always included in a private network project because an enterprise or other organization has its own spectrum licence, and is able to work directly with a vendor or system integrator, for example.

The GSA has counted over 50 equipment vendors involved in private networks based on 4G or 5G, and noted that commercial availability of pre-integrated solutions from several equipment providers increased in 2021. More than 66 CSPs are also involved in private network projects. Meanwhile, hyperscalers offer private mobile network solutions, sometimes in partnership with CSPs or network suppliers.

CSPs are of course keen to play a growing role in this market as it represents a major opportunity for 5G, and bigger providers have well-established strategies to target the private mobile network market.

In terms of recent announcements, Vodafone Business partnered with car manufacturer Porsche on the establishment of what they described as “Europe’s first 5G hybrid mobile private network” at Porsche’s Nardò Technical Centre (NTC) in Italy.

4G and 5G coverage is being provided throughout the testing center, and the aim is to allow companies to develop and test business-critical applications in the field of connected and automated driving. The hybrid aspect of the network reflects the fact that both private and public mobile network coverage are provided at the location.

Notably, Vodafone and Porsche are longstanding partners and the CSP has already deployed a standalone 5G network at the Porsche Development Centre in Weissach, Germany.

Over in France, Iliad-owned CSP Free highlighted its involvement in what it described as the largest private 5G network to date at Nokia-owned Alcatel Submarine Networks’ manufacturing facility in Calais. The network comprises 57 indoor and two outdoor 5G access points and covers a total surface area of 50,000 sqm.

Nearing the 1,000 mark

Overall, the GSA estimates that 955 LTE (711) and 5G (391) private network had been deployed in 72 countries by the third quarter of 2022. The top five countries for private networks are the United States, Germany, China, the UK and Japan, with Finland and France following close behind. Dedicated spectrum has already been allocated in all of these markets except for China, according to the GSA.

Germany, which made the decision early on to allow industry and academia to apply for private 5G licences for various use cases, accounts for 81 of the deployments. At the same time, the GSA noted that many of these private networks “are still in trial and test-bed stage rather than full commercial deployments.”

The three fastest-growing industry sectors are mining, with 15 customer references, followed by defence and peacekeeping with 13, and manufacturing with nine. Manufacturing, education and mining remain the three largest sectors for customer references.

Looking ahead, the GSA sees potential demand for 4G and 5G private networks coming from companies that currently operate private networks based on technologies such as TETRA, P25, Digital Mobile Radio, GSM-R and Wi-Fi. 

In terms of spectrum, C-band spectrum is the most widely assigned followed by CBRS spectrum, which the GSA has split out from C-band owing to the unusual way it has been assigned in the US. More dedicated spectrum is also expected to be allocated in future. 

“With so much opportunity, and so many regulators planning initiatives to make spectrum available for LTE and 5G private usage, we expect significant market developments over the next couple of years,” the GSA concluded.