Beyond private 5G networks: applications, architectures, operator models and technological enablers

Area of Science:

• Telecommunications Engineering
• Network Architecture
• Industrial IoT

Background:

• Private networks are essential for 5G and beyond, enabling smart factories with improved resource deployment and flexible usage.
• 5G private networks provide agile solutions for services with strict reliability, latency, and re-configurability requirements, addressing governance and ownership challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel approach to operator models tailored for 5G and beyond private networks.
• To apply these models to various network architectures and use cases involving mixed private-public network governance.
• To identify key enabling technologies for 5G private networks.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of novel operator models for 5G private networks.
• Analysis of different network architecture options and use cases.
• Identification of enabling technologies, including spectrum allocation, channel measurements, and monitoring tools.
• Consideration of optimization strategies for service placement, network slicing, and orchestration.

Main Results:

• Proposed operator models are applicable to diverse network architectures and governance models.
• Key enabling technologies for 5G private networks have been identified.
• Deployment strategies involve pre-deployment analysis (spectrum, channel measurements) and during-deployment validation (monitoring tools).
• Optimization opportunities exist at various network levels (service placement, slicing, radio access, edge computing, core network).

Conclusions:

• Novel operator models are crucial for effectively managing 5G private networks in industrial settings.
• A comprehensive approach considering spectrum, deployment, monitoring, and optimization is necessary for successful 5G private network implementation.
• These models support flexible resource management and address heterogeneous constraints for smart factory applications.