5G, the fifth generation of cellular network technology, has great potential as a transformative technology. Power your connectivity, drive digital transformation, and revolutionize your industry. Its ultra-high speed, low latency, and massive device connectivity capabilities enable a wide range of applications and services, making it a game-changing technology that unlocks new possibilities and accelerates digital innovation.
Hybrid 5G and private 5G networks, which are subsets of the broader 5G technology, use the same underlying technology as public 5G but differ in terms of deployment, control, and use cases. These are particularly relevant for industries and applications that require support for data-intensive applications, control of network performance, high-performance mobility, and data privacy protection. Understanding hybrid 5G and private 5G (its architecture, spectrum usage, and use cases) can help businesses make informed investment decisions regarding their networking strategy.
Private 5G and Hybrid 5G: What are they?
a private 5G network A proprietary cellular network that is deployed, operated, and owned by a specific group, company, or government agency, provides limited access, and uses licensed, unlicensed, or shared radio spectrum. Private 5G networks offer several benefits, including support for high-performance mobility and data-intensive applications, even in areas without public 5G coverage. They are especially useful for organizations that require a secure, reliable, and customizable network environment, such as hospitals, manufacturing plants, and military installations.
on the other hand, Hybrid 5G network Combine both public and private infrastructure to create a flexible, scalable network that allows organizations to take advantage of the extensive coverage, capacity, and cost efficiency of a public network, while benefiting from the enhanced security and control of a private network. allows you to receive Hybrid 5G will be useful for organizations with diverse use cases that require seamless operations across private and public domains, reshaping industries and expanding into healthcare, Industry 4.0 initiatives, music festivals, port operations, and stadiums. We’re enhancing your connectivity experience.
Both private and hybrid 5G networks Provides security, privacy, and control over network traffic for entities that do not want to share public networks due to security and privacy concerns or other restrictions.
Private 5G and hybrid 5G architecture
More customized and complex architecture private 5G network It depends on many factors, including network design and infrastructure, integration with existing systems, spectrum licensing, device diversity, vendor and supply chain connectivity, management and maintenance, security protocols, and availability of expertise.
On the other hand, the architecture Hybrid 5G network Combine public and private infrastructure to create a flexible, scalable network that incorporates both edge (on-premises) and centralized (off-premises) components. In most cases, public network service providers offer fully deployed and managed solutions that eliminate much of the complexity associated with private networks. Additionally, carriers are expanding into hybrid 5G/cloud and multicloud environments to take advantage of new, faster ways to deliver 5G services.
Both private 5G networks and hybrid 5G networks small cells to form the access edge, a radio access network (RAN) to provide user equipment coverage, a 5G core network to manage network traffic, virtual network slices customized for different bandwidth and latency requirements, Physical SIMs, or eSIMs, network security protocols, and spectrum work together to create a secure, high-performance, and customizable network environment that supports a variety of use cases and applications across a variety of industries. The selection of components and their configuration depends on the specific needs and resources of the company deploying a hybrid 5G or private 5G network.
spectrum and frequency
One of the key considerations when choosing a 5G network is spectrum. The use of different spectrum types in different countries will impact the performance of hybrid 5G networks and private 5G networks in terms of coverage, bandwidth, and speed. There are four main types of spectrum used in these networks: public, private, shared, and unlicensed. Each spectrum type has unique characteristics and impacts on network performance.
- Public spectrum: Public spectrum leased from mobile network operators offers greater coverage, but because of shared use, it can have less capacity and higher latency.
- Private spectrum: A private spectrum dedicated to a specific company minimizes latency and bandwidth requirements, giving you better control over network performance.
- Shared spectrum: Shared spectrum, also known as industrial spectrum, allows organizations to operate private 5G networks using “lightly licensed” but shared spectrum (such as CBRS in the US). This lowers the barrier to adoption, but also introduces potential interference and performance degradation due to shared use.
- Unlicensed spectrum: Non-exclusive, freely available and unlicensed spectrum bands (such as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) are subject to usage rules established by regulatory bodies. Although it can reduce costs, unlicensed spectrum can lead to interference and performance degradation due to shared use.
Additionally, the spectrum is divided into different frequency bands, each with defined upper and lower frequency limits. Different frequency bands (low, medium, and high bands) are allocated to different applications, providing different balances of coverage, capacity, and speed.
- Low band frequency: These frequencies are below 1 GHz and can support long distances at speeds up to 100 Mbps. It is also known as a “coverage layer” because it can cover a large area.
- Mid-band frequency: These frequencies range from 1 GHz to 6 GHz and are ideal for densely populated areas where a balance of coverage and capacity is required. Mid-band frequencies can support medium throughput speeds up to 1 Gbps.
- High band frequency: Also known as millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies, these are all frequencies above 24 GHz. It can support high-speed data rates of up to 10 Gbps, but has limited range, making it useful in urban areas and crowded venues.
In general, the lower the frequency band, the higher the coverage, but the lower the capacity, as shown in the figure. On the other hand, the higher the frequency band, the higher the capacity and speed, but the smaller the coverage radius. Figure 1.
Figure 1. 5G spectrum
Spectrum selection depends on the specific requirements and use cases of companies deploying hybrid 5G or private 5G networks. Using the right spectrum type allows enterprises to optimize network performance based on the environment and transmission range.
Considerations for purchasing hybrid 5G and private 5G
Hybrid 5G networks and private 5G networks share many similarities as both leverage the same underlying 5G technology. However, they differ in deployment and control, network slicing capabilities, and use cases, which can have a significant impact on flexibility, performance, and security.
- Introduction and control: Private 5G networks are privately operated by a group, company, or government agency and offer a more secure wireless experience and protection from congestion. This provides even more safety and control. Hybrid 5G networks, on the other hand, combine both public and private infrastructure to create flexible and scalable networks. This allows organizations to enjoy enhanced security without increasing the size and scope of their investments in this area using private networks.
- Network slicing: Both private 5G networks and hybrid 5G networks utilize network slicing, but the implementation and usage of this feature varies. With private 5G, the network is typically self-contained and has its own spectrum, providing a higher level of isolation and security. In contrast, a hybrid 5G network’s network slices are obtained from the provider’s public 5G network, resulting in lower cost of ownership and faster and easier expansion.
- Security and prioritization: Private 5G networks offer a higher level of security and can give different levels of priority to different people and groups. This is especially useful for entities that do not want to share their public network due to security or privacy concerns or other restrictions. Hybrid 5G networks also offer increased security, but because they are a mix of private and public networks, they may not provide the same level of priority as private networks.
- Example of use: Private 5G networks are commonly used in corporate offices, manufacturing plants, hospitals, universities, military installations, etc., and require specific capabilities beyond those provided by Wi-Fi and other network technologies. Hybrid 5G networks combine public and private infrastructure, making it possible to share infrastructure or serve more users, such as campus settings where security is a priority but devices still require public network access. This makes it an ideal way to expand your services.
- Access and isolation: Private 5G networks provide limited access and isolation, providing better control and higher service availability to support always-on operations. Because hybrid 5G networks combine public and private networks, they may not provide the same level of limited access and isolation as private networks.
Both hybrid 5G networks and private 5G networks offer enhanced performance, security, and control over network resources. These address the specific needs of different industries and applications, expanding the potential use cases of 5G technology.
However, hybrid 5G networks offer various advantages over private 5G networks, including enhanced connectivity, performance optimization, seamless integration with legacy infrastructure, 5G network slicing, cost-effectiveness, and fail-safe internet. To do. These benefits make hybrid 5G networks an attractive option for many organizations.
Next steps for decision makers
Both hybrid 5G networks and private 5G networks offer promising solutions for businesses looking to take advantage of the benefits of 5G technology. Understanding these concepts and their implications can help businesses make informed decisions about their network strategy. However, the choice between a private 5G network and a hybrid 5G network depends on your company’s specific needs and resources. It is important to thoroughly evaluate your specific use case and technical requirements before making a decision.
Additionally, hybrid 5G is an emerging technology, and national 5G rollout has been slower than expected in most regions. While most technologies are developed to meet the demands of enterprises and their use cases, 5G is ahead of the curve and enterprises and carriers are still identifying use cases and leveraging the technology effectively. We are in the process of determining the best method.
Take the time to understand the technology and talk to carriers in your area to identify opportunities for your company.
For more information, check out GigaOm’s Hybrid 5G Key Standards and Radar Report. These reports provide a comprehensive overview of the market, outline the criteria to consider in purchasing decisions, and evaluate the performance of numerous vendors against those decision criteria.
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