The cellular wireless network is often thought as one of the prime face of carrier service, IT organizations around the world are benefitting from the private 4G LTE technology that is all set to complement the already set Wi-Fi network in businesses or even for specific cases replace the Wi-Fi networks. A private 4G network can better support IoT devices that generate large data sets and when such devices are spread over large areas.

What is private 4G?

Private LTE is a local cellular network that includes cell sites and core network servers. The private network gives the businesses dedicated servers supporting the required connectivity of specific organizations wherein the requirement is independent of cellular networks for the complete service providers. It provides the organizations with customized networks for various mission-critical applications, optimizing the network to give low latency and support a very specific SLA. The 4G private network provides users with added solution an alternative to interfering from the often congested public wireless spectrum. In the Private LTE which is also useful for some of the distributed enterprise use cases that include airports, stadiums, amusement park, railroads, places where a high density of network requirement is being felt to support IoT devices and private devices. The other primary application for LTE will involve extremely remote areas with poor cellular coverage.

Why enterprises might want to adopt private 5G?

Private LTE will have to compete with already set public 4G and 5G cellular networks, but businesses might look to adopt the private LTE solution over other when a large amount of data is transferred or sensitive data that stress out the public network in a  given area. The private LTE competes with public 4G and 5G cellular network but can be better choice when a large amount of data is transferred that can stress out the complete public network in a given area. The current set cost for high data transfer volume can also be prohibitive for the public  LTE networks. Private LTE can be deployed anywhere even in the areas that are currently beyond the reach of public carriers and will keep the data on-site for security reasons. Private LTE can be optimized to handle required traffic types that are based on specific requirements; for example, businesses that require real-time IoT applications can be guaranteed to provide extremely low latency for complete immediate response.

Private LTE vs. Wi-Fi

Private LTE is a very imperative alternative option that provides the required replacement for Wi-Fi that is especially designed to overcome the required shortcoming. It has been best utilized to complement the current established Wi-Fi network in the business surrounding. For businesses that function from remote regions and data requirement is flexible Wi-Fi can be network barrier; a private LTE is a good choice when Wi-Fi does not provide the required connectivity is certain use cases such as supporting mobile deployments. Wi-Fi networks are suspected to spectrum noise and interference from the steel wall, various technical issues can be affecting the complete business network. It can be cost-prohibitive when it’s being called to provide the coverage for larger region; It’s because larger region means that number Wi-Fi access points needed and the fiber backhaul network that would be constantly required.

Use-cases

If weightin various issues considering between private and public network, private network provides better prospect when it comes to connectivity. However in many cases private network will demand increased cost so enterprises can opt for mix and match Wi-Fi and private LTE that offers maximum connectivity for many of the complex issues. 

Implementation for the private LTE is well suited when businesses require high definition video surveillance, remote vehicles in remote region, robot controls remotely. In many cases mission-critical communications for security teams can be challenge when we need to answer of public safety and even cases that require mobile kiosk connectivity.  Supporting different kinds of distributed or mobile IoT devices with high data transfer will be primary requirements it’s a very sweet spot for private LTE.

Acquiring the LTE spectrum

The spectrum required for private LTE comes in three different categories such as Public Licensed, Unlicensed spectrum and shared spectrum. Businesses can license public spectrum from the existing holders that are typically existing commercial carriers. Licensed spectrum will be suitable for businesses that have certain infrastructure in remote areas, and Wi-Fi coverage can be a blunt answer for the infrastructure. The other option that can be utilized by the businesses is sharing the spectrum with licensing approval. For example in U.S. the 3.5 GHz Citizen Broadband Radio Service could be used in private-LTE deployments with added FCC approval.  It will be assisting the organizations in deploying private LTE that is unlicensed spectrum such as 5.4 GHz that is currently being used for Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

Businesses need to decide whether they want to invest in private LTE solutions they should assess their network requirements that depend on various factors to be satisfied including coverage area, latency, number, types of devices and bandwidth. The requirement of storing the data locally or then be sent to cloud solutions? What are the types of devices and applications require connectivity? And multiple physical networks required? The Doyle research expects private LTE to grow in popularity for complicated or mobile enterprise network requirement including the augmentation for public cellular, including vehicle tracking, digital signage, retail kiosks, and high definition video cameras. In U.S., several industry groups are promoting private LTE standards including CBRS alliance, the Wireless Innovation Forum and MulteFire Alliance are promoting private LTE standards.  Industry support includes Cradlepoint, Ericsson, JMA Wireless, federated Wireless, Rukus, Nokia, and leading wireless carriers.

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