By Catherine Sbeglia
New research commissioned by LTE and 5G network solutions provider Quortus indicated that enterprise IT decision makers are becoming increasingly interested in private networks as an answer to productivity and efficiency woes caused by poor connectivity.
Private cellular networks are standard 3GPP-based cellular networks offering a combination of low-power wide-area (LPWA), broadband LTE and even “massive”-scale, ultra-reliable 5G connectivity for exclusive use by private parties. Deployed and managed separately of public cellular networks, they offer improved security, reliability and control.
The research, which surveyed 260 IT decision makers from the US, UK, Germany and France, found that nearly two thirds (63%) of respondents said that weak and unreliable connectivity results in reduced productivity and efficiency at their enterprise. Further, a staggering 91 per cent of them believe such limitations are directly tied to the limitations of macro public networks.
Because, as the research concluded, a fifth of enterprises do not believe the quality of their existing connectivity will support their future digital ambitions, many are looking for alternative options. In fact, 97 per cent of are ready to invest more money to ensure better connectivity.
“Enterprises, until recently, have had to rely on public macro networks for broadband connectivity,” said VP of sales at Quortus, Neil Dunham. “Our study reveals significant levels of frustration with the inherent limitations of macro networks. Too often global enterprises are finding that the quality of connectivity they receive is decided by an enterprise’s location, relative to network sites and the number of users relying on them.”
Quortus also explored how those enterprises already working on establishing private networks at their facilities are doing so or intend to do, finding that 23 per cent of enterprises surveyed currently operate their own network, while third (33%) would prefer to build their own network with the help of specialist partners, rather than buy it directly from a public operator.
Reports from industry organization Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) supports Quortus’ research. The GSA in August said it is tracking at least 370 companies around the world that have been or are investing in private mobile networks, with 5G deployments beginning to gain momentum. The data suggests that manufacturing is an early adopter of local area private mobile networks, with 79 identified companies holding suitable licenses or involved in known pilots or deployments of LANs or probable LANs. Mining follows second, with ports also actively trialing/deploying local area private mobile networks.
Dunham commented on this “burgeoning excitement towards private networks,” adding that “[t]he key areas of motivation amongst enterprise IT decision makers include a willingness to benefit from specialist vertical knowledge and expertise, not being limited by a public operator’s footprint or service capability and need for bespoke requirements.
