For several years now, edge computing has been one of the most important trends in the market for many IT providers. On the one hand, this is because of the explosion of data being generated at the edge, which is tracked and analyzed to help customers achieve better business results. On the other hand, there is a growing portfolio of hardware and software for edge deployment to reduce application latency and improve infrastructure performance. That’s why more and more businesses are asking how to build a private 5g network to use the necessary peripherals and match modern technological businesses.
What are private 5G networks?
It is appropriate to start by outlining the possibilities and tasks of such networks. 5G and edge computing have all the data to work in symbiosis. While they are also very useful when deployed individually, when used together they complement each other to create a solution that enables enterprises to launch entirely new applications. It can be expected that more and more customers will begin to consider 5G private mobile networks for Internet of Things (IoT) deployments. The growing interest in such networks will create new business opportunities for experienced integrators and startups.
And the answer to the question of how and why to build a private 5g network can be given simply because a private mobile network can be a cost-effective model that can be combined with traditional network infrastructure. In addition, it can be useful in the process of building networks isolated from the public Internet.
Of course, with growing demand, the supply from service providers also grows. For example, networks from UCtel may be the only solution for an industrial customer who cannot update the software in their automation equipment that has been in use for years. Admittedly, building a private network may be more difficult at first than relying on public connections, but in the long run, it can increase security. Another benefit of private mobile networks built to implement IoT will also be to facilitate enterprise networks that are becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
What is the reason for this need for 5G?
Experts note that the dynamic development of the sector of private 4G and 5G networks is very well visible in the number of telecommunication solutions providers, such as UCtel, which are increasingly boldly presenting their network products. And of course, regardless of the country, the concept of private networks will be supported by legal regulations, thanks to which almost anyone can manage such a network in a dedicated radio range.
In addition, because of its specificity, that is the possibility of virtualization of network functions, the construction of such networks no longer depends only on cooperation with the communication operator. The possibility of using different models of private network implementation – both as a separate entity and with a telecommunications operator, or as part of a hybrid combination of these two possibilities – enables each interested business entity to choose the ideal solution for itself, both from the point of view of functionality and from a security policy perspective.
Globally, the largest investments in edge computing include:
- industrial processes,
- management of production assets,
- intelligent networks,
- multichannel deployment,
- public safety (response to emergencies),
- monitoring of cargo transportation
- smart public transport systems.
Some of the most important technology trends in edge computing include innovations in artificial intelligence and data analytics software, as well as increased performance and security at the edge.
Who should take a closer look at such a decision?
Today, the reason to build a private 5G network is most often reviewed by production and logistics companies. Private networks based on 5G technology are used by enterprises in areas such as providing communications, such as:
- trucks and autonomous vehicles,
- management of fixed assets,
- industrial automation,
- control and management of drones,
- communication with cameras,
- critical communication (radio telephones and video communication),
- improvement of production quality, monitoring of employees,
- security and access control.
The list can be continued, because now almost every gas industry will be able to find a scenario for using private 5G networks. And with the passage of time, there is a greater and greater need in those areas of business that yesterday did not think about the integration of private 5G networks.
Is it safe for business?
As mentioned earlier, private 5G networks are enterprise-class solutions, and much more secure than the standard solutions that everyone is used to. As part of a 5G private network, each device connected to the network is equipped with a SIM card or eSIM. It is necessary to add each of these cards as an approved client to the network. Thus, the security and complexity of cracking the SIM card encryption in itself make it impossible to access the network.
One more aspect of safety is frequency. At 3.4–3.6 GHz, private 5G networks function. To grant access, for instance, to laptops or other no-sim-devices, specific Wі-Fi gateways are utilized. At the moment, access to such frequencies from consumer devices is very difficult, which makes the network more secure when it comes to primitive attack methods.
At the very level of network security, virtualization, and division of logical networks are used. Someone connecting to a 5G network, for example, for mission-critical communications, will not have access to industrial automation. So as you can see, by creating a private 5G network, a business can gain additional protection for its network processes in addition to automation and modernization.
Conclusion
Private 5G networks are a powerful tool in the hands of entrepreneurs that can support a very wide range of innovative solutions. This applies to edge computing wherever it is needed to minimize latency and ensure data reliability, such as industrial robots and autonomous vehicles. The same is true for IoT devices that provide key information about connected components. Simple integration of artificial intelligence algorithms with private networks enables deep data analysis, leading to more accurate business decisions, more efficient management, and more efficient production.
