There are 5 keys to successful Private 5G or Public 5G deployment. These principles involve multiple areas of 5G network architecture, technology and performance.
Below are the five keys to successful Private 5G deployment:
- Certify all fiber connections and validate orientation/ alignment of antennas.
- Verify carrier and SSB spacing frequency, and subcarrier spacing.
- Verify all carriers are present and PCI of each carrier.
- Verify beam IDs for each carrier.
- Verify 5G site coverage.
Deployment Options for a Private 5G Network
The first option to deploy Private 5G network is (an independent private network) i.e., SNPN, while the other two options i.e. (RAN and signaling shared, and a network slice) are versions of PNI-NP.
1. An Independent Private Network
An independent private network is a mobile network deployed at the enterprise that can be completely isolated from the public network provided by MNO. in this scenario, the enterprise stores user and subscription databases locally. Also, the control of the network and data services are handled locally by the enterprise.
2. RAN and Signaling Shared
RAN and signalling shared option is where the services are handled locally within the enterprise, however the RAN is shared with the public network. The MNO handles the network and user control.
3. Network Slice
In the network slice option, a new concept of slicing is introduced in the 5G standardisation, that can be used to realise a virtual network for a particular application, which can be logically separated from other virtual networks.
The analysis of Pros and Cons of the above three deployment options for a Private 5G network deployment is provided in the table below:
| Private 5G Network Deployment Types | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Independent Private Network | Protected/local data storage Independent QoS assurance Low latency No monthly premium subscription charges for end-users Complete isolation from public networks | High spectrum cost Required skilled IT staff High CAPEX for SW,HW and license fees |
| RAN and Signaling Shared | Lower CAPEX MNOProtected/local network Licensed MNO spectrum Low latency | Not completely isolated from MNO Monthly subscription charges for end-users or RAN usage Required trained IT staff Subscriber info stored in MNO Signaling dependent on MNO network |
| Network Slice | Lower CAPEX MNO maintains the network with SLA Licenced MNO spectrum Logical separation from the public network | Higher latency Required for trained IT staff Monthly subscription charges for end-users or RAN usage Dependency on MNO network for QoS |
Other Private 5G Deployments Methods
There are some other methods for the deployment of Private 5G network are stated below:
1) Isolated 5G LAN built by the enterprise (Local 5G Frequency, Full Private, no-sharing)
Enterprise deploys a 5G network full set within its building. The 5G frequency in the enterprise is not the mobile operators’ Licensed frequency but it is the local 5G frequency. Enterprises can generate their own 5G LAN by using local 5G frequency, which can free them from the wired LAN and the wireless LAN’s annoyance. The ultra-low latency and ultra-connectivity ability of the 5G network enables the creation of new enterprise applications.
2) Isolated 5G LAN built by Mobile Operators (Licensed 5G Frequency, Full Private, No-Sharing)
Mobile operators build and operate 5G LAN in the enterprise with their own licensed 5G frequency .
3) RAN sharing between Private Network and Public Network
UPF, 5GC CP, UDM, and MEC are deployed in the enterprise and physically separated from the public network. The 5G base stations which are located within the enterprise are shared between private and public networks.
4) RAN and Control Plane sharing between Private and Public Network
Private and dedicated UPF,MEC are built in enterprise. 5G base stations in enterprise and 5GC CPs, UDMs in mobile operator’s edge cloud are shared between private and public networks.
5) RAN and Core Sharing (End-to-End network slicing) between Private and Public Network
In this case only gNB is deployed inside the enterprise and UPF and MEC exist only in the mobile operator’s edge cloud. Private network and public network share “logically separated 5G RAN and core”.