The Rise of Private Cellular Networks
Private cellular networks, also known as private 5G/LTE networks, allow communication systems to be fully customized to fit an organization’s needs. In addition to increased control and flexibility, they also offer enhanced security, increased capacity, and more consistent performance.
This blog will provide a broad overview of some key use cases for private cellular networks. Each use case showcases how private networks make it possible to address challenges that traditional public networks cannot. Those advantages have driven demand for private cellular networks since their emergence in the early 2010s, and they will continue to propel growth in this market for years to come.
Use Cases for Private Cellular Networks
Event Venues and Stadiums
Sporting events in the United States draw astounding crowds. Even the smallest NFL stadium can hold 58,000 people. The University of Michigan’s “Big House” stadium has a capacity of over 100,000 people.
Bringing so many people together into such a concentrated area gives rise to unique connectivity challenges. With all those spectators texting, calling, and sharing images and videos, public networks are easily overwhelmed. That leads to degraded connection quality. Private cellular networks address these challenges head on by giving attendees a dedicated network.
Critical Communications
Utilities, public safety organizations, and emergency response teams require truly unbreakable connectivity to carry out their vital missions. Security is also paramount. To guarantee this combination of reliability and security, increasing numbers are embracing private cellular networks.
With private networks, these entities can sidestep issues related to interference and network congestion. During emergencies, network traffic can be controlled to ensure that the most critical communications receive priority. Segmenting traffic from public networks also provides enhanced security
Transport and Logistics
Use of private cellular networks is growing in airports, seaports, and logistics centers. They can support a wide range of operations, from tracking and managing cargo to ensuring seamless coordination between various stakeholders. Across all these sectors, they ensure the protection of sensitive operational data by providing secure communication channels.
Private networks also allow for the immediate sharing of data, which increases the efficiency of logistics operations. Automation supported by these networks unlocks additional efficiency gains. Finally, robust and reliable connectivity is vital to ensure safe, continuous operations at airports and seaports in particular. In that area, private 5G/LTE networks provide clear advantages over public networks.
Healthcare
Patient privacy is a legal and ethical necessity in the healthcare market. Private cellular networks ensure that sensitive patient data stays protected. With the rise of telemedicine, this technology also ensures that patient information is secure during remote interactions.
The high bandwidth and low latency provided by Private 5G/LTE networks are important as well. Medical images from CT scans, MRIs and digital pathology can be up to a full gigabyte in size, sometimes even larger. These networks make it possible to share these images quickly at high volumes.
Lastly, the Internet of Things (IoT) is playing an increasingly important role in healthcare facilities. To serve their purpose, internet-connected medical devices require uninterrupted connectivity. Private 5G/LTE networks can provide exactly that.
Defense and Security
Military bases and sensitive government facilities present one of the most compelling use cases for private cellular networks. The first advantage is physical security. The network infrastructure itself can be housed in secure facilities, keeping it far out of the reach of bad actors.
Second, dedicated infrastructure can make use of exclusive frequencies to reduce external interference and the risk of eavesdropping. Finally, by maintaining complete control over the network, government agencies can fully manage and monitor access.
Industrial Automation and Manufacturing
Modern industrial automation and manufacturing requires reliable, robust connectivity. Interruptions in machine-to-machine communication can lead to severe consequences. The most obvious is production delays, as communication disruptions can halt production lines altogether, leading to lost revenue and missed production targets.
Keeping networks online is also essential because lost connectivity can cause automated quality checks to fail. Connection outages can also affect safety mechanisms, putting workers at a higher risk of accidents.
In addition, private 5G/LTE networks’ low latency is crucial for real-time monitoring and control of manufacturing processes. Finally, they can be customized to fit a manufacturer’s specific needs and can be easily scaled as connectivity needs grow.
Looking Forward: The Growing Impact of Private Cellular Networks
Private cellular networks can address unique challenges across a wide range of use cases. From providing seamless connectivity in packed stadiums to ensuring critical communication in emergencies, private networks are proving to be an incredibly valuable connectivity tool. Their applications in transport, logistics, healthcare, defense, and manufacturing further illustrate their versatility and the growing demand for customized, secure, unbreakable connectivity. As this technology continues to evolve, its impact on efficiency, security, and innovation will only grow.
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