As enterprise private 5G networks become more widespread around the world, vendors are starting to miniaturize private 5G network components. This approach allows organizations to activate private 5G networks within a single box.
Cloud and networking vendors such as Amazon, Cisco, Google, HPE, and Microsoft, as well as more traditional radio access network (RAN) providers such as Ericsson and Nokia, are now offering standard private 5G equipment and services. . Some of these companies, in addition to startups focused on private 5G, are introducing private 5G-in-a-box products into their portfolios.
The development of private 5G in a box is still in its early stages. In fact, private 5G networking as a whole is in its infancy. According to Dell’Oro Group, private 5G network revenues won’t exceed his 4G LTE private network growth until 2026. But despite these predictions, nothing is stopping ambitious vendors from entering the private 5G-in-a-box space.
How does private 5G in the box work?
The private 5G network bundled product hardware consists of the following components:
- At least one 5G radio.
- Core software.and
- gNodeB small cell device.
The simplified in-a-box architecture allows customers to set up standalone 5G networks themselves. The antenna is usually bolted to the side of the unit, but some units have the antenna mounted inside the box. Some models may also include 4G LTE radio and software or Wi-Fi.
Vendor outlook on private 5G in the box
Airspan Networks showcased an in-a-box 5G network using Athonet’s mobile core software at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022. Amazon demonstrated its Airspan system at MWC, which Airspan said shows how its 5G network is in-a-box. The system can run on the AWS Cloud or at the network edge.
HPE introduced 5G-in-a-box systems in February 2022. HPE bases its in-a-box system on its EL8000 Converged Edge System and uses 3rd generation Intel Xeon processors. HPE said use cases for the system include oil and gas, maritime and military applications. The company added that it is already testing 5G radios with Airspan and JMA Wireless and plans to work with more RAN providers.
HTC announced Reign Core 5G products at MWC 2022. Reign Core is a portable, open RAN-based private 5G network small enough to deploy in a suitcase.Greenfield 5G operator Dish is working with HTC to develop private wireless products in the US
Other providers around the world are developing private 5G-in-a-box networks, from Casa Systems to Mavenir. UK-based chipmaker Arm also demonstrated his 5G products at MWC 2022 that support multi-access edge computing, including 5G network-in-a-box systems.
Private 5G in your box is just around the corner
Private 5G still has some challenges, including equipment delivery issues. Since the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020, private 5G deployments continue to face semiconductor shortages. Private 5G network hardware is expensive, and the price of new equipment such as private network-in-a-box gear isn’t coming down anytime soon.
Nevertheless, the dawn of private 5G-in-a-box technology is here. There is no doubt that more vendors will enter the market with smaller versions of 5G RAN technology to provide specialized tasks everywhere from branch offices to delivery hubs.
