Private 5G

Why Private 5G Networks? 

Multi-faceted harbors, airports, high-density factory floors with thousands of connected devices are just a few of the enterprises that benefit from the reliable, always-on service of a private 5G (P5G) network. Customizable from the ground up, private networks are designed to be highly secure and flexible. Moreover, they can enable advanced service flexibility and fundamental 5G capabilities like network slicing. This can be critical in a multi-operation environment, such as a big harbor with multiple businesses inside it, each with different characteristics and SLAs. 

Opportunities by Industry Vertical 

Private 5G allows the characteristics of each network to be tailored to the specific requirements of the vertical(s). While use cases like healthcare and public safety seek to optimize performance with respect to latency and reliability, other verticals such as gaming and mobile broadband put a premium on bandwidth and mobility. 

Challenges for System Integrators  

The configurability of a private 5G network is compelling, but it can also introduce complexity throughout the network lifecycle. System integrators perform a critical function within the private 5G ecosystem by developing private network templates for a wide range of enterprises. Many also provide network as a service (NaaS) offerings, allowing customers to outsource network management, operation, and maintenance once the network has been activated.

Designing the Private 5G Network  

Private 5G networks must be developed cost-effectively and ensure the same high-quality operation as a commercial network. The use cases for private networks are diverse, meaning the network must support a whole range of endpoints, each with different requirements. As an example - an automated smart factory will have sensors, M2M data exchange, autonomous robots, V2X etc., whereas a university campus will need to support fewer IoT type devices, but more human subscribers all talking, texting, and 'TikTok-ing' on their devices. 

To ensure successful deployment, having a cost-effective test approach in the lab can help to pinpoint potential issues and allows engineers to troubleshoot and action problems before they occur in a real-world scenario. Pre-deployment testing provides the insight to ensure the Private 5G network can meet the requirements for those diverse use cases, and that the network is robust against security threats.  

Can the private network meet the low-latency requirements needed to support URLLC applications? How severely will the network be impacted if it gets flooded with bad traffic? 

As a System Integrator planning and designing the private 5G network, you should consider the following testbed pre-requisites that will put you ahead: 

• A solution to simulate the behavior, traffic, and mobility profiles of end-users (i.e.: in the case of a shopping center) or endpoints (like in a connected factory) 
• An option that supports a high number of UEs per cell or carrier to evaluate capacity 
• A product that can emulate a 5G SA Core Network to test the effects of connecting a private 5G network to a core network prior to launch 
• A combination of real stateful traffic mixed with threats and malware to thoroughly test network security protocols  

Testing must be done cost-effectively, and well in advance of a network's deployment to ensure that both the Enterprise and the Operator will get sufficient ROI. Partnering with the right test company at the design phase can ensure your private networks will support multiple, diverse scenarios and are ultra-secure, well in advance of roll-out. 

Discover the VIAVI 5G and O-RAN lab portfolio, including TeraVM virtualized solutions. 
 

Deploying, Activating, and Managing the Private 5G Network  

Private networks are often tasked with the reliable delivery of mission-critical services and high-value content. This puts pressure on system integrators and operators to proactively address technical challenges including:

• Spectrum Coexistence: Each network node is potentially subject to a permitting process that can drag-on for years. Balancing licensed vs unlicensed spectrum utilization and making prudent use of unlicensed bands such as CBRS when they are available is essential.  
• Multi-Operator Carrier Access Network: When private 5G networks encompass a large geographical area, this can bring multiple carriers and different SLAs into the fold. The performance of sensitive 5G functions like network slicing must be carefully monitored as they intersect other wireless and land-based networks in the region.  
• Facility Access: As private 5G services are deployed and activated, access to hardware, facilities, and infrastructure must be well defined and controlled to avoid costly delays.  
• 24/7 On-site Support: Despite the recent focus on lights out (unmanned) network operation to improve efficiency, 24-hour on-site support can be invaluable for private 5G networks seeking to meet a traditional 2-hour outage response time SLA.  

Overcoming the Most Critical Challenges

There's no magic formula, it must be engineered to work.  

For complex private 5G networks to be successful, the design, deployment, and monitoring must be executed seamlessly to ensure the network will be fully operational on schedule, while consistently meeting important SLAs.    

Spectrum clearance becomes critical as bands that previously contained other services are reassigned to private networks.  

Signal analysis, timing and synchronization verification, antenna alignment, fiber certification, and coverage and performance testing are among most important steps to support high reliability and quality of service (QoS).  

Find out more.  
 

Automating the Test Process  

As a System Integrator, you need to ensure the installation teams have solid build and test procedures that will be used along the way to make sure the network is being built correctly. You can minimize training through automation and provide consistency and repeatability throughout the process, which will allow you to gain insights for future process improvement.

Discover how to Automate Testing, Validation, and Optimization Over the Network Lifecycle 
 

Monitoring, Managing, and Automating the Private Network  

Once you have validated the deployment of the private 5G network, the performance and capacity need to be monitored to assure quality of experience and ROI As the network service begins, balancing the needs for efficient OpEx, along with assuring its performance and reliability means you should increase automation for management, operation, and maintenance.  

Having visibility into key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and reporting for the continuous monitoring required to assess network reliability, while also automating many of the traditional steps for optimizing mean time to repair (MTTR) will ensure that the network is set to perform at its best.  

The benefits of automation seen during installation and deployment testing also extend to more efficient private 5G network management and configuration, including end-to-end monitoring from the radio to the core network. 

Discover The NITRO Private Networking Intelligence (PNI) solution built upon NITRO Mobility  

The solution can be integrated into System Integrator network management, operation, and maintenance offerings as it not only provides assurance for both the RAN and Core aspects of a Private 5G deployment, but also offers the Location Intelligence of all cellularly connected devices to address an array of enterprise use cases unique to each vertical. As full service private network management across multiple regions and countries is growing rapidly, enhanced visibility becomes even more crucial.

Partnering with you in your Private 5G journey

If you need intelligent solutions to reduce complexity and ensure that the private 5G network is delivering the required quality and performance - prior to and after deployment - we can help.  

VIAVI remains your trusted partner across the entire network lifecycle: from design, deployment, activation, and up to management, monitoring, and automation. Now, and in the future.  

F.A.Q.