How Can Operators Best Monetise 5G Private Networks Using CBRS?

January 2024

Telecoms & Connectivity

Alex Webb

Senior Research Analyst

5G private networks are becoming increasingly common throughout the US, with there being 228 million network cells deployed for 5G private networks in 2023. Juniper Research forecasts this figure to grow to 1.9 billion in 2028, representing an increase of 832%. This growth is being driven by the lower latency, and higher throughput offered by 5G private networks relative to 4G LTE networks, which expand the use cases for private networks, by enabling applications such as real-time machinery monitoring.

Whilst the cost of 5G private networks has declined in recent years, the cost of these networks remain high, relative to alternatives such as LTE, and Wi-Fi. This is true of both 5G network’ capital expenditure, and operating costs. However, the development of CBSDs (CBRS Devices) capable of supporting 5G private networks on the CBRS spectrum has reduced this cost, promoting investment and deployments by enterprises.

Moreover, there is considerable value to deploying private 5G networks, rather than LTE, and Wi-Fi. These benefits include:

• High speed - 5G was developed to be significantly faster than LTE, and enables mobile users to access Internet services at greater speeds than 4G.
• Low latency - 5G offers lower latency than LTE, meaning the amount of time it takes for data from a device to be uploaded and delivered to its destination is lower; enhancing downloading speed and reliability. 5G can achieve such low latency due to its higher frequency bands.
• High capacity - 5G provides greater capacity than LTE, meaning the frequency range is in connection with the lower-range spectrum. This makes larger quantities of bandwidth available; overcoming network traffic congestion that restrict LTE functionality.

Another key benefit of deploying private 5G networks, is that they enable enterprises to transition to a sliced network approach, where the network is divided into a set of logical networks operating with a shared infrastructure. Each slice on a network can be optimised for different use cases, as each slice can have varying protocols such as for quality of service, and security.

To grow their revenue and capitalise on the demand for private 5G networks created by CBRS, private network vendors must ensure that they continue to expand their network management offerings to enterprises. Specifically, Juniper Research recommends that private network vendors invest in cloud-based management tools, that enable enterprises to optimise and monitor the status of their private networks. This must include programs which enable enterprises to easily alter, create, and delete network slices, as well as altering parameters for different slices, such as capacity, security protocols, and latency.

By developing network slicing management tools private network vendors will be able to support enterprises with optimising the usage of their private network, ensuring the greatest return on investment. This will be essential to promoting demand for 5G private networks, as due to their relatively high cost compared to LTE, and Wi-Fi, there must be considerable return on investment.

Juniper Research further recommends that private network vendors also continue to develop the CBSDs they offer to enterprises for 5G private network usage. CBSDs must continue to expand on their advantages for 5G deployments including high speed mobility, and longer signal ranges, as well as reducing size, weight, and power consumption of network small cells. This innovation will continue to reduce the cost of 5G private networks for enterprises, as well as expanding the quality of service provided.

Source: CBRS Market 2024-2028

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