What Are the Biggest Use Cases for Private Networks in 2023?

June 2023

Private LTE & 5G Networks

Rosie O'Connor

Research Analyst

In our latest private cellular networks research, we identified six key industries that offer the greatest opportunity for private network deployment and adoption.

All of these industries require mission-critical and reliable connectivity and communications, something that more traditional connectivity systems, such as Wi-Fi, are incapable of providing.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is a common use case for private networks, as interference is a major cause for concern for those in the manufacturing industry making private networks a more desirable option over Wi-Fi for enhanced security and reliability.

Businesses can utilise 5G private networks in particular to modernise a factory floor and transition from public to more secure private networks in order to offer connectivity both on and off the shop floor, as well as enhancing productivity.

Mining

Mining will be a key industry in deploying private LTE/5G networks, due to the applications in the industry, such as requiring safety, lower costs, productivity.

Through the transition to smart mines, influenced by the roll-out of 5G networks, the mining industry can enhance safety and efficiency of operations. 

Logistics

Logistics is a high addressable industry for the adoption of private 5G, to be utilised for tracking and monitoring packages, as well as shipments to improve the throughput of such facilities without incurring pressure on the workplace, thus, saving cost and time. 

Government and Public Sector

Government will see potential in private networks for use in forming smart cities, as devices, users and applications can be connected through widespread adoption.

Moreover, 5G networks are more secure offering greater protection to government information and privacy of data transmitting across the network that is isolated from public networks. 

Energy, Oil & Gas

The oil and gas industry is anticipated to also be an early adopter of private 5G networks, as typically the associated facilities are located outside of the range of more commercial networks. Thus, the transition to 5G in the energy sector will enable enterprises to enhance the automation and monetisation of maintenance and engineering operations.

The energy industry empowers a smart grid to become more reliable and efficient, enhances power grid efficiency, improves grid reliability, expands renewable energy resources, and implements better energy control and reduced costs. 

Healthcare

Private networks will become an increasingly vital technology in healthcare, as mission-critical life support requires consistent connectivity and reliability.

Through combining AI with generated data, the potential for advancement in healthcare is major. The growing requirements for high-speed and low-latency bandwidth within a healthcare setting will expand the demand for private networks. Deploying private networks can help reduce the technology gap post-COVID and build smart hospital ecosystems, which are digitised IoT devices for patients and healthcare providers to have a secure service to operate from.

Want more insights and statistics?

Download our latest private cellular networks whitepaper, which assesses the potential revenue opportunities for operators and businesses, and outlines how platforms can leverage them to differentiate their services from competitors. You can also visit our infographics area, where you'll find an infographic containing our latest private networks market statistics.