The “Private LTE & 5G Network Ecosystem: 2024 - 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 2024 to 2030. The forecasts cover three infrastructure submarkets, two technology generations, four spectrum licensing models, 16 vertical industries and five regional markets.
The report comes with an associated Excel datasheet suite covering quantitative data from all numeric forecasts presented in the report, as well as a database of over 7,300 global private LTE/5G engagements - as of Q4’2024.
Summary of Private LTE/5G Engagements
Some of the existing and planned private LTE and 5G engagements are summarized below:
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Agriculture: Private cellular network installations in the agriculture industry range from custom-built 250 MHz LTE networks that provide wide area cellular coverage for agribusiness machinery, vehicles, sensors and field workers in Brazil to Japan's standalone local 5G networks for application scenarios such as remote-controlled tractors, AI-enabled image analytics and autonomous patrol robots in support of optimizing cattle fattening and breeding for the production of Kagoshima Wagyu beef.
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Aviation: Private LTE and 5G networks have been implemented or are being deployed to support internal operations at some of the busiest international and domestic airports, including Hong Kong, Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao, Tokyo Narita, London Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Le Bourget, Frankfurt, Cologne Bonn, Brussels, Amsterdam Schiphol, Vienna, Athens, Oslo, Helsinki, San Sebastián, Bahrain, San Francisco Bay Oakland, Las Vegas Harry Reid, DFW (Dallas Fort Worth), Dallas Love Field, MSP (Minneapolis-St. Paul), Chicago O'Hare, Newark Liberty and MIA (Miami International Airport). Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa Technik and JAL (Japan Airlines) are leveraging private 5G networks for aircraft maintenance operations, while ANA (All Nippon Airways) is harnessing local 5G connectivity to enhance the effectiveness of aviation training. In addition, national and cross-border A2G networks for inflight broadband and critical airborne communications are also beginning to gain significant traction.
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Broadcasting: CNN (Cable News Network), FOX Sports, BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), BT Media & Broadcast, RTÈ (Raidió Teilifís Éireann), France Télévisions, RTL Deutschland, Media Broadcast, SWR (Südwestrundfunk), WDR (Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln), RTBF (Belgian Radio-Television of the French Community), RTVE (Radiotelevisión Española), SVT (Sveriges Television), NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation), TV 2, Yle (Yleisradio), ATM Grupa, TVBS, TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network), WOWOW, CMG (China Media Group) and several other broadcast players are utilizing private cellular networks - both temporary and fixed installations - to support live production and other use cases. OTT (Over-the-Top) streaming service providers such as DAZN and U-Next are also beginning to rely on portable 5G networks for real-time video distribution during sports events.
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Construction: Mortenson, Ferrovial, BAM Nuttall (Royal BAM Group), Fira (Finland), Hazama Ando Corporation, Kumagai Gumi, Obayashi Corporation, Shimizu Corporation, Taisei Corporation, Takenaka Corporation, CSCEC (China State Construction Engineering Corporation), Hoban Construction, Hip Hing Engineering, Gammon Construction and Hyundai E&C (Engineering & Construction) are notable examples of companies that have employed the use of private LTE and 5G networks to enhance productivity and worker safety at construction sites.
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Education: Higher education institutes are at the forefront of hosting on-premise 5G networks in campus environments. Tokyo Metropolitan University, Texas A&M University, Johns Hopkins University, Purdue University, Cal Poly (California Polytechnic State University), Northeastern University, UWM (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Bradley University, McMaster University, HoME (Hochschule Merseburg University of Applied Sciences), TU Dresden (Dresden University of Technology), HSU/UniBw H (Helmut Schmidt University), RWTH Aachen University, TU Kaiserslautern (Technical University of Kaiserslautern), HOGENT (University College Ghent), AGH University of Krakow, Białystok University of Technology, CTU (Czech Technical University in Prague) and Riga Technical University are among the many universities that have deployed private 5G networks for experimental research or smart campus-related applications. Another prevalent theme in the education sector is the growing number of purpose-built LTE networks aimed at eliminating the digital divide for remote learning - particularly CBRS networks for school districts in the United States.
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Forestry: There is considerable interest in private cellular networks to fulfill the communications needs of the forestry industry for industrial, recreational and environmental purposes. SCA (Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget), Stora Enso and Fiskarheden are deploying local 5G networks to facilitate digitization and automation at timber terminals and mills, while Tolko Industries and Resolute Forest Products are utilizing portable LTE systems to support their forestry operations in remote locations in Quebec and British Columbia, Canada, where cellular coverage has previously been scarce or non-existent. Among other examples, Japanese cable operator TST (Tonami Satellite Communication Television) has successfully demonstrated local 5G-enabled remote machinery control and danger prediction to improve safety and productivity in mountainous forestry environments, and Swedish startup AirForestry is piloting a private 5G network to be able to wirelessly control six-meter wide electric drones that enable harvesting and thinning of the forest from the air.
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Healthcare: Dedicated 5G campus networks have been installed or are being implemented to support smart healthcare applications in many hospitals, including VA Palo Alto, Boston Children's Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Mentor Hospital, Nagasaki University Hospital, Kwong Wah Hospital, West China Second University Hospital, SNUBH (Seoul National University Bundang Hospital), SMC (Samsung Medical Center), Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Bethlem Royal Hospital, CHU Toulouse (Toulouse University Hospital), Frankfurt University Hospital, Helios Park Hospital Leipzig, UKD (University Hospital of Düsseldorf), UKSH (University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein), UKB (University Hospital Bonn), OYS (Oulu University Hospital), Albert Einstein Hospital and Hospital das Clínicas (São Paulo). In addition, on-premise LTE networks are also operational at many hospitals and medical complexes across the globe.
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Manufacturing: Dozens of manufacturers across the automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, steelmaking, chemical production, electronics, industrial machinery and other sectors - along with LTE/5G equipment suppliers themselves - are investing in private cellular networks for Industry 4.0 applications at their factories. Prominent examples include but are not limited to ACOME, AGC, Airbus, Ansteel, Arçelik, ArcelorMittal, ASN (Alcatel Submarine Networks), Atlas Copco, BASF, BMW, BorgWarner, Bosch, British Sugar, Calpak, Changan Automobile, China Baowu Steel Group, COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China), Continental, Cummins, Del Conca, Delta Electronics, Dow, FAW, Ford, Foxconn, Gerdau, Glanbia, GM (General Motors), Great Wall Motor, Gree, Haier, Hamburger Containerboard, Holmen Iggesund, Honda, Hyster-Yale, Hyundai, Inventec, INZU Group, Jacto, John Deere, KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries), LG Electronics, Logan Aluminum, LyondellBasell, Magna Steyr, Mercedes-Benz, Midea, Miele, Navantia, Nestlé, Nippon Steel, Nissan, NLMK, Okaya Steel, Paccar, Pegatron, Renault, Ricoh, Saab, SANY Heavy Industry, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Solvay, Standard Steel, Stellantis, Stürmsfs, Summit Steel, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, WEG, Whirlpool, X Shore and Yara International.
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Military: Led by the U.S. DOD's (Department of Defense) FutureG Office, several programs are underway to accelerate the adoption of private 5G networks at military bases and training facilities, network slicing over public mobile infrastructure and portable cellular systems for warfighters at the tactical edge. The U.S. military, Canadian Army, British Army, Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces), Spanish Army and Navy, Italian Army, Norwegian Armed Forces, Finnish Defense Forces, Latvian Ministry of Defense, Qatar Armed Forces, ADF (Australian Defence Force), JSDF (Japan Self-Defense Forces), ROKN (Republic of Korea Navy) and Brazilian Army are among the many adopters of private cellular networks in the defense sector.
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Mining: Mining companies are increasingly deploying 3GPP-based private wireless networks at their surface and underground mining operations to support mine-wide communications between workers, real-time video monitoring, teleoperation of mining equipment, fleet management, self-driving trucks and other applications. Some noteworthy examples include Agnico Eagle, Albemarle, Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, Antofagasta Minerals, Atlas Iron, BHP, Boliden, Canyon Coal, China National Coal, China Shenhua Energy, CITIC Pacific Mining, Codelco, De Grey Mining, Eldorado Gold, Exxaro, Fortescue Metals, Freeport-McMoRan, Glencore, Gold Fields, Hudbay Minerals, IPC Coal, Jiangxi Copper, KAZ Minerals, Lundin Mining, MinRes (Mineral Resources), MMG, Newmont, Northern Star Resources, Nornickel (Norilsk Nickel), Nutrien, Outokumpu, Rio Tinto, Roy Hill, Severstal, Shaanxi Coal, Shandong Energy, Sigma Lithium, South32, Southern Copper (Grupo México), Teck Resources, Vale, Yankuang Energy, and Zijin Mining.
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Oil & Gas: ADNOC, Aramco, Arrow Energy, BP, Cameron LNG, Centrica, Cepsa, Chevron, CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation), ConocoPhillips, Equinor, ExxonMobil, Hiroshima Gas, Neste, ORLEN, Osaka Gas, PCK Raffinerie, Petrobras (Petróleo Brasileiro), PETRONAS (Petroliam Nasional), PetroChina/CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation), Phillips 66, Repsol, Santos, Schlumberger, Shell, Sinopec (China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation), Snam, TotalEnergies and many others in the oil and gas industry are utilizing private cellular networks. Some companies are pursuing a multi-faceted approach to address their diverse connectivity requirements. For instance, Aramco is adopting a wide area 450 MHz network for critical communications, LEO satellite-based NB-IoT coverage for the most remote IoT assets and on-premise private 5G networks within specific facilities for advanced Industry 4.0 applications.
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Ports & Maritime Transport: Many port and terminal operators are investing in private LTE and 5G networks to provide high-speed and low-latency wireless connectivity for applications such as AGVs, remote-controlled cranes, smart cargo handling and predictive maintenance. Prominent examples include but are not limited to ABP (Associated British Ports), APM Terminals (Maersk), Barcelona Port Authority, CMPort (China Merchants Port Holdings), COSCO Shipping Ports, EUROGATE, Hutchison Ports, PSA International, SIPG (Shanghai International Port Group), SSA Marine (Carrix), Steveco and VPA (Virginia Port Authority). In the maritime transport segment, onboard private cellular networks - supported by satellite backhaul links - are widely being utilized to provide voice, data, messaging and IoT connectivity services for both passenger and cargo vessels while at sea.
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Public Safety: A myriad of fully dedicated, hybrid government-commercial and secure MVNO/MOCN-based public safety LTE/5G-ready networks are operational or in the process of being rolled out throughout the globe, including national mission-critical broadband platforms such as FirstNet, South Korea’s Safe-Net, Britain's ESN, France's RRF, Spain's SIRDEE and Finland's VIRVE 2.0. 5G NR-equipped PPDR broadband systems are also starting to be adopted by first responder agencies. For example, in Taiwan, the Hsinchu City Fire Department's emergency response vehicle features a satellite-backhauled private 5G network for emergency communications in disaster zones. The Norwegian Air Ambulance is adopting a similar private 5G-based NOW (Network-on-Wheels) system for enhancing situational awareness during search and rescue operations. Other examples of early adopters include the Lishui Municipal Emergency Management Bureau, Kaohsiung City Police Department, PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police), New Zealand Police and Guardia Civil (Spanish Civil Guard).
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Railways: Although the GSM-R to FRMCS transition is not expected until the late 2020s, a number of LTE and 5G-based networks for railway communications are being deployed, including Adif AV's dedicated 5G infrastructure at logistics terminals, Vale's $50 Million project for the implementation of a private wireless network along the Carajás Railroad, SGP's (Société du Grand Paris) private LTE network for the Grand Paris Express metro system, PTA's (Public Transport Authority of Western Australia) radio systems replacement project, Norfolk Southern's private LTE network for rail yard staff, NCRTC's (National Capital Regional Transport Corporation) private LTE network for the Delhi-Meerut RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit System) corridor, Hanshin Electric Railway's standalone local 5G installation for improving safety at railroad crossings and platforms, KRNA's (Korea Rail Network Authority) LTE-R network, POSCO's private 5G network that links autonomous locomotives and railway control systems, Guangzhou Metro's 5G + Smart Metro project and China State Railway Group's 5G-R program. Tokyo Metro, DB (Deutsche Bahn), SNCF (French National Railways), Network Rail, FTIA (Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency) and others are also progressing their 5G rail connectivity projects prior to operational deployment.
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Utilities: Private cellular networks in the utilities industry range from wide area 3GPP networks - operating in 410 MHz, 450 MHz, 900 MHz and other sub-1 GHz spectrum bands - for smart grid communications to purpose-built LTE and 5G networks aimed at providing localized wireless connectivity in critical infrastructure facilities such as power plants, substations and offshore wind farms. Some examples of end user adopters include Ameren, Bahrain EWA (Electricity and Water Authority), BPA (Bui Power Authority), ČEZ Group, Chubu Electric Power, CNNC (China National Nuclear Corporation), CPFL Energia, CSG (China Southern Power Grid), DEWA (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority), E.ON, Edesur Dominicana, EDF, Efacec, Endeavour Energy, Enel, ESB Networks, Evergy, Fortum, Hokkaido Electric Power, Iberdrola, Kansai Electric Power, KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation), Kyushu Electric Power, K-water (Korea Water Resources Corporation), LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority), Osaka Gas, PGE (Polish Energy Group), Red Eléctrica, SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric), SGCC (State Grid Corporation of China), Southern Company, Tampa Electric and Xcel Energy.
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Warehousing & Others: Amazon, Walmart, Ocado, JD Logistics, Sinotrans, Yes24, Riman Korea, CJ Logistics, Posten (Norwegian Postal Service) and many others have installed private cellular infrastructure for smart warehousing applications. Additional vertical sectors where private LTE and 5G networks are being adopted extend from sports, arts and culture to retail, hospitality, public services and road transport. From a horizontal perspective, enterprise RAN systems for indoor coverage enhancement are relatively common and end-to-end private networks are also starting to be implemented in office buildings and campuses. Meta, BlackRock, Imagin'Office (Icade), Mitsui Fudosan, NAVER and WISTA Management are among the companies that have deployed private networks in office environments.
Key Findings
The report has the following key findings:
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SNS Telecom & IT estimates that global spending on private LTE and 5G network infrastructure for vertical industries will grow at a CAGR of approximately 20% between 2024 and 2027, eventually accounting for more than $6 Billion by the end of 2027.
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Close to 60% of these investments - an estimated $3.5 Billion - will be directed towards the buildout of standalone private 5G networks, which 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.
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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. By 2030, private networks could account for as much as a fifth of all mobile network infrastructure spending.
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Although 5GC (5G Core) infrastructure for standalone 5G connectivity services has been deployed by less than a tenth of the world's approximately 800 public mobile operators, the technology is experiencing much greater success in the relatively smaller but burgeoning private cellular segment where its performance and system efficiency advantages compared to non-standalone 5G networks are more easily consumable in the short term.
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Existing private cellular network deployments 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, stadiums, office buildings and university campuses to regional and nationwide sub-1 GHz private wireless broadband networks for utilities, FRMCS-ready networks for train-to-ground communications and hybrid government-commercial public safety broadband networks, as well as rapidly deployable LTE/5G network-in-a-box systems for professional TV broadcasting, sports and entertainment events, emergency response operations and tactical communications.
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There has also been a surge in the adoption of private wireless small cells as a cost-effective alternative to DAS for delivering neutral host public cellular coverage in carpeted enterprise spaces, public venues, hospitals, hotels, higher education campuses and schools. This trend is particularly prevalent in the United States due to the open accessibility of the license-exempt GAA tier of 3.5 GHz CBRS spectrum.
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As for the practical and quantifiable benefits of private LTE and 5G networks, end user organizations have credited private cellular network installations with productivity and efficiency gains for specific manufacturing, quality control and intralogistics processes in the range of 20 to 90%, cost savings as high as 40% and an uplift of up to 80% in worker safety and accident reduction.
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As highlighted previously, spectrum liberalization initiatives - particularly shared and local spectrum licensing frameworks - are playing a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of private LTE and 5G networks. Telecommunications regulators in multiple national markets - including the United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Bahrain, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia and Brazil - have released or are in the process of granting access to shared and local area licensed spectrum.
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Although Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung and Huawei continue to lead the private cellular market in terms of infrastructure sales, there is much greater vendor diversity than in the public mobile network segment with the likes of Celona and Baicells making their presence known in markets as far afield as the United States, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Japan and China.
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Other notable mentions include mobile core vendor Druid Software, whose 4G and 5G core platform has been deployed for private networks worldwide; Fujitsu and NEC Corporation for their strong presence in Japan's local 5G market; JMA Wireless, which has one of the largest numbers of registered CBSDs (CBRS Devices) in the United States; converged 4G/5G mobile core provider Cisco Systems; 4G/5G RAN vendor Airspan Networks; and end-to-end RAN and core network supplier Telrad Networks. HPE, which acquired mobile core technology specialist Athonet in 2023, has recently launched a full-stack private cellular offering, including its own line of 4G/5G small cells.
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By capitalizing on their extensive licensed spectrum holdings, infrastructure assets and cellular networking expertise, national mobile operators have continued to retain a significant presence in the private LTE and 5G network market, even in countries where shared and local area licensed spectrum is available.
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With an expanded focus on vertical B2B (Business-to-Business) opportunities in the 5G era, mobile operators are actively involved in diverse projects extending from localized 5G networks for secure and reliable wireless connectivity in industrial and enterprise environments to sliced hybrid public-private networks that integrate on-premise 5G infrastructure with a dedicated slice of public mobile network resources for wide area coverage.
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New classes of private network service providers, network management and orchestration platform providers, 5G security specialists and system integrators are also well-positioned for success in the market as are the private 5G business units of neutral host infrastructure providers such as Boldyn Networks, American Tower, Boingo Wireless, Crown Castle, Freshwave and Digita.
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NTT, Kyndryl, Accenture, Capgemini, EY (Ernst & Young), Deloitte, KPMG and other global system integrators have been quick to seize the private cellular opportunity with strategic technology alliances and early commercial wins. Meanwhile, hyperscalers - most notably AWS (Amazon Web Services), Google and Microsoft - are offering managed private 5G services by leveraging their cloud and edge platforms.
The report covers the following topics:
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Introduction to private LTE and 5G networks
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Value chain and ecosystem structure
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Market drivers and challenges
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System architecture and key elements of private LTE and 5G networks
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Operational and business models, network size, geographic reach and other practical aspects of private LTE and 5G networks
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Critical communications broadband evolution, Industry 4.0, enterprise transformation and other themes shaping the adoption of private LTE and 5G networks
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Enabling technologies and concepts, including 3GPP-defined MCX, URLLC, TSC, DetNet, NR-U, SNPN and PNI-NPN, RedCap, cellular IoT, high-precision positioning, network slicing, edge computing and network automation capabilities
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Key trends such as the emergence of new classes of specialized network operators, shared and local area spectrum licensing, private NaaS (Network-as-a-Service) offerings, IT/OT convergence, Open RAN, vRAN and rapidly deployable LTE/5G systems
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Analysis of vertical industries and application scenarios, extending from mission-critical group communications and real-time video transmission to reconfigurable wireless production lines, collaborative mobile robots, AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) and untethered AR/VR/MR (Augmented, Virtual & Mixed Reality)
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Future roadmap of private LTE and 5G networks
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Review of private LTE and 5G network installations worldwide, including 160 case studies spanning 16 verticals
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Database tracking more than 7,300 private LTE and 5G engagements in over 130 countries across the globe
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Spectrum availability, allocation and usage across the global, regional and national domains
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Standardization, regulatory and collaborative initiatives
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Profiles and strategies of more than 1,800 ecosystem players
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Strategic recommendations for LTE/5G equipment and chipset suppliers, system integrators, private network specialists, mobile operators and end user organizations
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Exclusive interview transcripts from 24 companies across the private LTE/5G value chain: A5G Networks, Anritsu, Ataya, Ballast Networks, CableFree (Wireless Excellence), Cavli Wireless, Celona, Digi International, Druid Software, Ericsson, Future Technologies Venture, InfiniG, JMA Wireless, MosoLabs, Neutroon, Nokia, Pente Networks, Picocom, RADTONICS, Shabodi, Sigma Wireless, Telrad Networks, T-Mobile US and X4000 Communications
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Market analysis and forecasts from 2024 to 2030
Forecast Segmentation
Market forecasts are provided for each of the following submarkets and their subcategories:
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Infrastructure Submarkets
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RAN (LTE & 5G NR Radio Access Network)
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Base Station RUs (Radio Units)
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DUs/CUs (Distributed & Centralized Baseband Units)
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Mobile Core (EPC & 5GC)
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User Plane Functions
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Control Plane Functions
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Transport Network (Fronthaul, Midhaul & Backhaul)
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Fiber & Wireline
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Microwave
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Satellite Communications
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Technology Generations
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LTE
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5G
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Cell Sizes
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Small Cells
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Indoor
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Outdoor
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Macrocells
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Spectrum Licensing Models
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Mobile Operator-Owned Spectrum
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Wide Area Licensed Spectrum
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Shared & Local Area Licensed Spectrum
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Unlicensed Spectrum
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Frequency Ranges
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Low-Band (Sub-1 GHz)
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Mid-Band (1-6 GHz)
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High-Band mmWave (Millimeter Wave)
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End User Markets
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Vertical Industries
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Agriculture
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Aviation
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Broadcasting
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Construction
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Education
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Forestry
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Healthcare
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Manufacturing
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Military
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Mining
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Oil & Gas
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Ports & Maritime Transport
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Public Safety
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Railways
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Utilities
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Warehousing & Others
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Offices, Buildings & Public Venues
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Regional Markets
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North America
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Asia Pacific
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Europe
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Middle East & Africa
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Latin & Central America
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Key Questions Answered
The report provides answers to the following key questions:
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How big is the private LTE and 5G network opportunity?
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What trends, drivers and challenges are influencing its growth?
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What will the market size be in 2027, and at what rate will it grow?
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Which submarkets, verticals and regions will see the highest percentage of growth?
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What is the status of private LTE and 5G network adoption in each country, and what are the primary application scenarios of these networks?
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How is private cellular connectivity facilitating the digital transformation of agriculture, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, transportation, utilities, warehousing and other vertical industries?
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What are the practical and quantifiable benefits of private LTE and 5G networks in terms of productivity improvement, cost reduction and worker safety?
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How are MCPTT capabilities enabling the transition from narrowband LMR systems to 3GPP-based private broadband networks?
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How can satellite backhaul and direct-to-device NTN access expand the reach of private networks in remote environments?
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What are the key characteristics of standalone private 5G networks, and when will URLLC, TSC, RedCap and other 3GPP-defined IIoT features be widely employed?
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Where does network slicing for differentiated service requirements fit in the private cellular networking landscape?
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How can private edge computing accommodate latency-sensitive applications while enhancing data sovereignty and security?
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What are the existing and candidate frequency bands for the operation of private LTE and 5G networks?
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How are CBRS and other coordinated shared/local spectrum licensing frameworks accelerating the uptake of private networks?
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What are the prospects of private 5G networks operating in mmWave spectrum?
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When will sub-1 GHz critical communications LTE networks begin their transition to 5G technology?
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What is the impact of post-pandemic changes on private LTE and 5G network deployments?
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How are telecommunications infrastructure giants, national mobile operators and other incumbents asserting their presence in the market?
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What opportunities exist for managed private LTE/5G service providers, neutral host operators, global system integrators, hyperscalers and other new entrants?
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Who are the key ecosystem players, and what are their strategies?
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What strategies should LTE/5G equipment suppliers, system integrators, private network specialists and mobile operators adopt to remain competitive?
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Historically a niche segment of the wider wireless telecommunications industry, private cellular networks - also referred to as NPNs (Non-Public Networks) in 3GPP terminology - have rapidly gained popularity 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. With the 3GPP-led standardization of features such as MCX (Mission-Critical PTT, Video & Data), URLLC (Ultra-Reliable, Low-Latency Communications), TSC (Time-Sensitive Communications), RedCap (Reduced Capability) for IIoT (Industrial IoT), NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) connectivity, SNPNs (Standalone NPNs), PNI-NPNs (Public Network-Integrated NPNs) and network slicing, 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. 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 the three-tiered CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum sharing scheme in the United States, Canada's NCL (Non-Competitive Local) licensing framework, Germany's 3.7-3.8 GHz and 28 GHz licenses for 5G campus networks, United Kingdom's shared and local access licensing model, Ireland's planned licensing regime for local area WBB (Wireless Broadband) systems, France's vertical spectrum and sub-letting arrangements, Spain's reservation of the 26 GHz band for self-provisioned local networks, Netherlands' 3.5 GHz licenses for plot-based networks, Switzerland's NPN spectrum assignment in the 3.4-3.5 GHz band, 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 and Brazil's SLP (Private Limited Service) licenses. 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. 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 - for example, 3GPP-based community and residential broadband networks deployed by non-traditional service providers. Another closely related segment is neutral host infrastructure for shared or multi-operator coverage enhancement in indoor environments or underserved outdoor areas.
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, stadiums, 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. 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.
The expanding influence of the private LTE and 5G network market is evident from the recent use of rapidly deployable private cellular network-in-a-box systems for professional TV broadcasting, enhanced fan engagement and gameplay operations at major sports events, including Paris 2024 Olympics, 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, North West 200 Motorcycle Race, 2024 World Rowing Cup III, New York Sail Grand Prix, 2024 PGA Championship, 2024 UFL Championship Game and 2024 NFL International Games, as well as the Republican and Democratic national conventions in the run up to the 2024 United States presidential election.
Other examples of high-impact private LTE/5G engagements include but are not limited to multi-site, multi-national private cellular deployments at the industrial facilities of Airbus, BMW, Chevron, John Deere, LG Electronics, Midea, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Walmart and several other household brand names; Aramco's (Saudi Arabian Oil Company) 450 MHz 3GPP network project and ADNOCS' (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) 11,000-square kilometer private 5G network for connecting thousands of remote wells and pipelines; defense sector 5G programs for the adoption of tactical cellular systems and permanent private 5G networks at military bases in the United States, Germany, Spain, Norway, Japan and South Korea; service territory-wide private wireless projects of 450connect, Ameren, CPFL Energia, ESB Networks, Evergy, Neoenergia, PGE (Polish Energy Group), SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric), Tampa Electric, Xcel Energy and other utility companies; and the recent implementation of a private 5G network at Belgium's Nobelwind offshore wind farm as part of a broader European effort to secure critical infrastructure in the North Sea.
There has also been a surge in the adoption of private wireless small cells as a cost-effective alternative to DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) for delivering neutral host public cellular coverage in carpeted enterprise spaces, public venues, hospitals, hotels, higher education campuses and schools. This trend is particularly prevalent in the United States due to the open accessibility of the license-exempt GAA (General Authorized Access) tier of 3.5 GHz CBRS spectrum. Some examples of private network deployments supporting neutral host connectivity to one or more national mobile operators include Meta's corporate offices, City of Hope Hospital, SHC (Stanford Health Care), Sound Hotel, Gale South Beach Hotel, Nobu Hotel, ASU (Arizona State University), Cal Poly (California Polytechnic State University), University of Virginia, Duke University and Parkside Elementary School.
Methodology
The contents of the reports are accumulated by combining information attained from a range of primary and secondary research sources.
In addition to analyzing official corporate announcements, policy documents, media reports, and industry statements, the publisher seeks opinions from leading industry players within each sector to derive an unbiased, accurate and objective mix of market trends, forecasts and the future prospects of the industry.
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