As Private 5G network gains popularity and traction, conversations focus on use cases and applications that require reliable coverage and high-performance connectivity. Private 5G is the perfect solution for enterprises seeking to achieve reliable low latency, expand coverage, or deliver Gbps throughput for their mission-critical applications and varied use cases. The use cases are driving current and new players in the market to make a mark and provide the best private 5G network to industries and enterprises ranging from small to large-scale deployments. However, the industry is falling behind its forecasts when it comes to converting these use cases to commercial deployments. One of the barriers that remains is the complexity of deploying Private 5G. Of course, the Private 5G industry has made advancements in simplifying 5G network deployments, especially when you compare with the solutions deployed in the service provider segment. But have we done enough to make it easy for players of all sizes in the enterprise and industrial segments to consume it?

There are many players in the 5G market that claim “turnkey” solutions and “plug-and-play network” deployment, but they don’t go far enough to meet the needs of enterprises of different sizes. Simplification of 5G is a necessary condition for enterprises and manufacturers to accept 5G as a solution, just the allure of low latency and high Gbps is not enough. Complexity in deployment is a barrier to adoption as Private 5G is transitioning from lab to commercial deployments. Incumbent suppliers from the service provider segment and new entrants have launched simplified Private 5G solutions. However, these solutions do not come nearly close to the simplicity of existing non-5G enterprise solutions. Even within the enterprise segment, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Smaller deployments have different requirements than larger deployments, carpeted enterprise is different than non-carpeted, and the availability of IT skills varies with each enterprise. Existing non-5G enterprise solutions offer different tools for various enterprise sub-segments, such as controller or controller-less architecture in enterprise Wi-Fi solutions.

5G solutions from the incumbent suppliers tend to suffer from legacy architectures inherited from service provider solutions. Other private 5G solutions are often limited in their scope, delivering either a “simplified” RAN or a “simplified” 5G core network or management system. The limited scope burdens the Managed Service Providers (MSPs) or end customers to integrate and simplify the end-to-end deployment. Many enterprise customers leverage MSPs to monitor and manage their networks. Also, in the name of “simplification,” Private 5G implementations sometimes end up with insufficient or insecure architectures, such as moving on-prem data to the cloud, which creates security holes and avoidable latencies. Simplification and security are both must-haves and cannot be traded off against each other. In multiple deployments of Private 5G, vendors require additional servers, gateways, and switches to be installed, driving up further the cost and complexity of installation.

To summarize, the majority of existing solutions exhibit one or more of the following shortcomings. These shortcomings make them unfit to support rapid 5G deployment, especially in small to medium size 5G networks.

Complex Installation Requirements: Implementing 5G networks can be intricate and demanding, especially for new or existing hardware configurations. This includes tasks such as setting up IP addresses, VLANs/subnets, and managing NAT for 5G clients. Small to medium-sized businesses, which often lack dedicated IT personnel, face challenges in this area. For instance, a parking garage looking to install a 5G network for connecting cameras at its entry and exit points would encounter such complexities.

High Capital and Operational Expenses: Deployment of 5G networks frequently necessitates upgrading physical infrastructure or installing new equipment. This can include base stations, antennas, servers, switches, and fiber optic cables. Such hardware enhancements are essential for 5G connectivity but can prolong deployment timelines significantly, ranging from days to years. The substantial costs involved in procuring the necessary infrastructure and equipment make the adoption of Private 5G networks a financially daunting prospect for smaller businesses.

Ongoing Technical Support demands: Private 5G networks often require specialized technical expertise for deployment and management. While some solutions simplify the initial deployment, they may not sufficiently cover all aspects, such as limited support for RAN or core or only initial (day 0) operations. This can be a significant challenge for small enterprises. This could be an opportunity for a managed service offering. 

Challenges for MSPs in Offering Managed Private 5G Services: Current solutions for managed Private 5G services often lack essential features, making it challenging for MSPs to offer these services efficiently. A critical need for MSPs is a comprehensive platform that streamlines the onboarding of new customers alongside capabilities for easy monitoring and troubleshooting of customer issues through a unified interface. However, MSPs frequently find themselves compelled to allocate their resources towards testing and validating these private 5G solutions. This diversion of resources can significantly impact their ability to focus on service provision and activities that generate revenue.

What is needed for small to medium sized 5G deployments?

The requirements of customers needing small to medium deployments differ from those of larger-scale deployments. Such scenarios often have limited space for additional servers or hardware (e.g., construction sites, parking garages), a lack of IT expertise for configuration, and a constrained budget. The complexity, additional hardware, and costs associated with 5G private networks have proven to be inhibitory factors. Meanwhile, attempts at simplified systems have restricted functionality, either allowing only single-node deployments or requiring all user traffic to be routed through a public cloud. For a private 5G solution to effectively serve this segment, it must meet the following requirements:

1. Simplicity and Scalability: The solution should be easy to deploy, manage, and upgrade. It ought to integrate seamlessly with an existing network, which may include routers, firewalls, etc. Ideally, deployment should only require providing power and internet, with the solution auto-configuring itself. Scalability is equally important. While the industry has typically focused on scaling upwards for very large systems, in this context, the requirements are different. Deployments may consist of sites with just one or two radio nodes. For instance, a retail store may start with a single 5G node and expand as needed. This scalability should accommodate a potentially large number of small sites.
2. Cloud Management with Local Traffic Breakout: Given the simplicity required, lack of IT expertise, and the need to manage multiple sites, a cloud-managed system is essential. Customers should be able to monitor multiple sites through a single dashboard, with equipment monitoring, software upgrades, device onboarding, SIM management, etc., all handled by the cloud system. While leveraging the cloud for management, it's crucial to keep enterprise traffic local to address data privacy, reduce cloud and WAN (Wide Area Network) link costs, and ensure low latency.
3. Multi-Tenancy for MSP Enablement: MSPs play a crucial role in meeting the networking needs of small to medium businesses. Just as managed Wi-Fi is an established market, there is a similar opportunity in the private 5G market. Solutions must facilitate easy Private 5G service provision by MSPs. Beyond the aforementioned requirements, a key additional need is multi-tenancy. MSPs require a scalable solution that simplifies onboarding new customers (tenants). Onboarding should be quick and straightforward. The solution should allow MSPs to minimize capital and operational expenses by using the same platform for multiple customers rather than replicating a solution for each customer. Replication might be feasible for a few large deployments, but it's impractical for a large number of small deployments.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci.