5G campus network
Most people associate mobile communications with the well-known public mobile networks. In Germany, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Telefonica, and, in the future, 1&1 operate public mobile networks. Almost everyone uses these networks to communicate with cell phones or smartphones.
Implementation of private mobile networks
With the introduction of 5G and the possibility of securing private frequencies, these networks are experiencing an upswing. However, private networks can also be implemented with 3G and 4G and the CDMA and LTE transmission standards. In addition, there is the option of using private APNs in public mobile networks. We explain why and for what purpose private mobile networks are needed, what types there are, and what advantages and disadvantages are associated with the respective mobile networks.
5G campus networks offer more than public mobile networks
However, public mobile networks are not equally suitable for all application scenarios. Businesses and industry have special requirements due to time-critical processes that public networks cannot meet. This is why private mobile networks exist, such as the 5G campus network. This offers considerable advantages that have been recognized not only by large companies, but also by an increasing number of medium-sized enterprises.
Potential that can be exploited by 5G campus networks:
In a representative survey conducted by the digital association Bitkom, 500 companies with more than 100 employees were asked what they plan to use 5G campus networks for:
- 26% want to set up 5G campus networks or have already done so.
- 85% of UNs want to use them for networking production facilities or are already doing so.
- 79% see potential in real-time machine control.
- 74% see potential in remote maintenance of facilities.
- 71% see potential in assistance systems such as AR & VR.
- 65% see potential for autonomous vehicles and transport systems.
- 40% want to use 5G for mobile robots or are already doing so.
What is the 5G campus network?
A 5G campus network is characterized by the fact that it is a company-owned and closed mobile network that operates independently of the public mobile network. Data is processed in real time and the mobile network is focused on a locally defined area. Unauthorized persons do not have access to this mobile network.
What are 5G campus networks and other private mobile networks needed for?
With increasing digitalization and the networked processes of Industry 4.0, reliable and high-performance mobile network coverage is becoming increasingly important. Modern business and production processes increasingly require real-time mobile communication with maximum performance and reliability. Public mobile networks only partially meet these requirements. They are optimized by their operators for maximum economic benefit, offer only limited guarantees in terms of quality, performance, and availability, and are heavily geared toward the use of mobile devices such as smartphones. Ultimately, public networks only serve a few mobile communication application scenarios and cannot be tailored exclusively to individual customers or applications.
WLAN is no alternative to private mobile networks
Even networking via WLAN only partially meets the requirements of companies and industry. WLANs operate with unprotected frequency ranges that are open to everyone and are exposed to external interference that is difficult to control. The range of these networks is limited, the latency is relatively high, and the data rate fluctuates widely.
Business-critical applications require private mobile networks
The special requirements of business-critical applications and networked industrial processes can often only be met by private mobile networks, such as the 5G campus network. These are logically and physically separated from public mobile networks and are specially designed for demanding application scenarios. Private networks have customized network coverage and ensure the networking of sensors, machines, systems, and mobile devices with the required latency, availability, and data rate.
Different types of private mobile networks
There are several ways to implement private mobile networks. These include:
Private 5G campus networks (5G standalone)
Private CDMA and LTE networks in the 450 MHz band (5G non-standalone)
Use of private APNs in public mobile networks
Private 5G campus networks
The fifth generation of mobile communications technology opens up new possibilities for private mobile networks. Since 2019, companies have been able to secure 5G frequencies for setting up their own local 5G campus networks. Such networks can meet the requirements of demanding Industry 4.0 scenarios. They offer high bandwidths, low latency, guaranteed availability, and security. With so-called network slicing, different applications with different requirements can be operated simultaneously in a single campus network.
Several private 5G campus networks have already been set up by large companies in Germany. These include networks operated by Lufthansa, BMW, and Rittal. Other companies such as Volkswagen, Bosch, Daimler, BASF, and many more are showing strong interest in setting up their own 5G networks or are already working intensively on their implementation. The most important advantages of 5G campus networks at a glance:
However, there are also hurdles to the introduction of 5G campus networks.
The introduction of 5G campus networks involves high expenses and costs for companies. In addition, factors such as the size of the operating area, the number of buildings, attenuation by walls, and reflections from metal also pose a major hurdle to the introduction of 5G campus networks. For many SMEs, a self-operated network is often not profitable. However, there are other ways to implement a private mobile network.
Private CDMA and LTE networks in the 450 MHz band
5G is not a prerequisite for setting up private mobile networks. Private networks can also be implemented with 3G and 4G and the CDMA and LTE transmission standards. In Germany, for example, the 450 MHz band originally reserved for the C network can be used for such networks. The relatively low frequencies achieve long ranges and good building penetration. Even areas that are difficult to access can be reliably supplied with mobile communications.
The Federal Network Agency provides 450 MHz frequencies for the radio coverage of critical infrastructures. For example, CDMA 450 MHz can be used to network smart meters and monitor energy networks. In 2021, the Federal Network Agency awarded the frequency usage rights for some vacant 450 MHz frequency ranges to 450connect GmbH, a consortium of energy and water companies. The consortium is responsible for setting up a 450 MHz network and has exclusive rights to operate this network until at least 2040. The network offers excellent building and area coverage, has an emergency power supply, and is independent of the public power grid. It can prioritize applications and has a secure, self-sufficient network infrastructure. Test operations with the first customers began in 2022. The network is expected to be fully operational by 2024 with approximately 1,600 radio sites.
Use of private APNs in public mobile networks
Another option for private, secure mobile communication is the use of private APNs in public mobile networks, even if these are not strictly speaking self-sufficient, private mobile networks. APN is the acronym for Access Point Name. It is a type of gateway that establishes the connection to data networks for mobile devices. The devices are assigned to one or more APNs via their SIM card. Connections to the internet are established via the public APNs of the mobile networks.
Private APNs can be used to connect to any data network, such as a corporate network. For example, IoT or M2M devices are assigned to a private APN via the SIM card. The end devices communicate via the connected private data network, isolated from the public Internet. The mobile network provides the air interface and connectivity to the private APN and data network. Private IP addresses and special authentication mechanisms or network parameters can be defined for the end devices. They are protected from unauthorized access in a kind of closed user group.
