Private LTE and 5G networks – a $6.4bn opportunity

Private LTE and 5G networks are continuing their upward trajectory with deployments targeting a multitude of use cases across various industries.

SNS Telecom & IT‘s latest research report indicates that global spending on private LTE and 5G network infrastructure for vertical industries – which includes RAN (Radio Access Network), mobile core and transport network equipment – will account for more than $6.4 Billion by the end of 2026.

Historically a niche segment of the wider cellular communications industry, private cellular networks – also referred to as NPNs (Non-Public Networks) in 3GPP terminology – have rapidly gained popularity. This has emerged in recent years due to privacy, security, reliability and performance advantages over public mobile networks and competing wireless technologies, as well as their potential to replace hardwired connections with non-obstructive wireless links.

Private networks based on LTE and 5G technologies

Private networks based on LTE and 5G technologies have gained recognition as an all-inclusive connectivity platform for critical communications, Industry 4.0 and enterprise transformation-related applications. This has been driven by 3GPP-led standardization of features such as MCX (Mission-Critical PTT, Video & Data), URLLC (Ultra-Reliable, Low-Latency Communications), TSC (Time-Sensitive Communications), SNPNs (Standalone NPNs), PNI-NPNs (Public Network-Integrated NPNs) and network slicing, Traditionally, these sectors have been dominated by LMR (Land Mobile Radio), Wi-Fi, industrial Ethernet, fiber and other disparate networks.

The liberalization of spectrum is another factor that is accelerating the adoption of private LTE and 5G networks. National regulators across the globe have released or are in the process of granting access to shared and local area licensed spectrum. Examples include but are not limited to:

The three-tiered CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum sharing scheme in the United States, Canada’s planned NCL (Non-Competitive Local) licensing framework;
United Kingdom’s shared and local access licensing model;
Germany’s 3.7-3.8 GHz and 28 GHz licenses for 5G campus networks;
France’s vertical spectrum and sub-letting arrangements;
Netherlands’ geographically restricted mid-band spectrum assignments;
Finland’s 2.3 GHz and 26 GHz licenses for local 4G/5G networks;
Sweden’s 3.7 GHz and 26 GHz permits;
Norway’s regulation of local networks in the 3.8-4.2 GHz band;
Poland’s spectrum assignment for local government units and enterprises;
Bahrain’s private 5G network licenses;
Japan’s 4.6-4.9 GHz and 28 GHz local 5G network licenses;
South Korea’s e-Um 5G allocations in the 4.7 GHz and 28 GHz bands;
Taiwan’s provision of 4.8-4.9 GHz spectrum for private 5G networks;
Hong Kong’s LWBS (Localized Wireless Broadband System) licenses;
Australia’s apparatus licensing approach;
India’s CNPN (Captive Non-Public Network) leasing framework;
Brazil’s SLP (Private Limited Service) licenses;
Even China – where mobile operators have been at the forefront of initial private 5G installations – has started directly allocating private 5G spectrum licenses to end-user organizations.

License-exempt spectrum

Vast swaths of globally and regionally harmonized license-exempt spectrum are also available worldwide that can be used for the operation of unlicensed LTE and 5G NR-U equipment for private networks. In addition, dedicated national spectrum in sub-1 GHz and higher frequencies has been allocated for specific critical communications-related applications in many countries.

LTE and 5G-based private cellular networks come in many different shapes and sizes, including isolated end-to-end NPNs in industrial and enterprise settings, local RAN equipment for targeted cellular coverage, dedicated on-premise core network functions, virtual sliced private networks, secure MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) platforms for critical communications, and wide area networks for application scenarios such as PPDR (Public Protection & Disaster Relief) broadband, smart utility grids, railway communications and A2G (Air-to-Ground) connectivity.

Players have slightly different perceptions

However, it is important to note that equipment suppliers, system integrators, private network specialists, mobile operators and other ecosystem players have slightly different perceptions as to what exactly constitutes a private cellular network.

While there is near universal consensus that private LTE and 5G networks refer to purpose-built cellular communications systems intended for the exclusive use of vertical industries and enterprises, some industry participants extend this definition to also include other market segments. These include 3GPP-based community and residential broadband networks deployed by non-traditional service providers. Another closely related segment is multi-operator or shared neutral host infrastructure, which may be employed to support NPN services in specific scenarios.

Private LTE and 5G networks upward trajectory

Despite the somewhat differing views on market definition, one thing is clear – private LTE and 5G networks are continuing their upward trajectory with deployments targeting a multitude of use cases across various industries. These range from localized wireless systems for dedicated connectivity in factories, warehouses, mines, power plants, substations, offshore wind farms, oil and gas facilities, construction sites, maritime ports, airports, hospitals, office buildings and university campuses to regional and nationwide sub-1 GHz private wireless broadband networks for utilities, FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System)-ready networks for train-to-ground communications, and hybrid government-commercial public safety LTE networks.

Rapidly deployable systems

Also, rapidly deployable systems such as the German Armed Forces’ ZNV (Deployable Cellular Networks) solution, Hsinchu City Fire Department’s satellite-backhauled portable 5G network for emergency communications and BBC’s (British Broadcasting Corporation) temporary private 5G network used during King Charles’ coronation. Custom-built cellular networks have also been implemented in locations as remote as Antarctica, and there are even plans for installations on the moon’s surface and outer space.

SNS Telecom & IT estimates that global spending on private LTE and 5G network infrastructure for vertical industries will grow at a CAGR of approximately 18% between 2023 and 2026, eventually accounting for more than $6.4 Billion by the end of 2026. As much as 40% of these investments – nearly $2.8 Billion – will be directed towards the build-out of standalone private 5G networks that will become the predominant wireless communications medium to support the ongoing Industry 4.0 revolution for the digitization and automation of manufacturing and process industries.

This unprecedented level of growth is likely to transform private LTE and 5G networks into an almost parallel equipment ecosystem to public mobile operator infrastructure in terms of market size by the late 2020s.

In-depth assessment of the private LTE and 5G network ecosystem

The “Private LTE & 5G Network Ecosystem: 2023 – 2030 – Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies, Industry Verticals & Forecasts” report presents an in-depth assessment of the private LTE and 5G network ecosystem, including the value chain, market drivers, barriers to uptake, enabling technologies, operational and business models, vertical industries, application scenarios, key trends, future roadmap, standardization, spectrum availability and allocation, regulatory landscape, case studies, ecosystem player profiles and strategies. The report also presents global and regional market size forecasts from 2023 to 2030. The forecasts cover three infrastructure submarkets, two technology generations, four spectrum licensing models, 15 vertical industries and five regional markets.

The report will be of value to current and future potential investors in the private LTE and 5G market, as well as LTE/5G equipment suppliers, system integrators, private network specialists, mobile operators and other ecosystem players who wish to broaden their knowledge of the ecosystem.

The full report is available here.