Communication service providers (CSPs) are collaborating with hyperscalers to offer privately owned and fully managed wireless networks. These private wireless networks (PWNs) provide the same connectivity as public networks, and businesses need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of using 5G technology for their private networks. Understanding the components and architecture of PWNs is crucial for effective management.
Key components of a private wireless network include spectrum, which refers to the radio frequencies used for communication, the network core, which controls packet switching, authentication, and other functions, and the Radio Access Network (RAN), which enables wireless communication between devices and the network core. Supplementary elements like orchestration, service assurance, management, monitoring, and security are also necessary for seamless operation, optimization, and security.
There are three types of companies involved in building private wireless networks: telecommunication vendors, hyperscalers, and communication service providers. Telecommunication vendors partner with cloud providers to deliver private wireless networks either directly or through CSP or systems integrator partners.
CSPs require network-related components to assist customers in configuring private wireless networks. Traditionally, these components were hardware-based, but now they are transitioning to a cloud-native, software-based paradigm, with virtualized or containerized radio access networks and related components. This shift has given hyperscalers a significant opportunity in a space dominated by telcos.
Software components provided by cloud providers augment and complete the solution, including automation scripts, orchestration, service assurance, monitoring, and logging. Hyperscalers offer the cloud platform and corresponding cloud services required to host the solution.
Private wireless networks offer several benefits, allowing businesses to deploy customized networks tailored to their specific needs and requirements. They can be deployed in various industrial settings, such as manufacturing facilities, logistical warehouses, hospitals, stadiums, and enterprise campuses. Deploying PWNs on-premises provides low-latency and high-throughput capabilities, and IBM Cloud Satellite is an example of a solution that enables this.
IBM Cloud enables large enterprises to implement private 5G networks that are secure, high-speed, high-bandwidth, and low-latency. The solution consists of managed components hosted in the partnering hyperscaler’s cloud and managed components on the enterprise’s premises, connected via secure high-speed connectivity. IBM Cloud Satellite can be used as an on-premises location for deploying the private wireless network components.
In this architecture, a manufacturing plant can be configured as a remote IBM Cloud Satellite location, running the required workloads and cloud-related components on-premises. Multiple manufacturing units or partner suppliers can replicate this setup, with each unit having its own PWN and being configured as an IBM Cloud Satellite location. All satellite locations are managed from an IBM Cloud region.
The network connections in this topology are secure, using TLS 1.3 tunnels or IBM’s Direct Link service. IBM’s Cloud Pak for Network Automation (CP4NA) and telco’s Element Management System provide service orchestration and assurance functions. IBM Cloud offers monitoring, logging, and identity access management services. The CSP can also provide additional network monitoring services. The enterprise user interface simplifies operations, providing a unified interface for management, provisioning, monitoring, and logging.
Enterprises can set up private wireless networks on their own or outsource to hyperscalers like IBM. It is crucial to build the network on a flexible platform that can scale in the future. Despite the cost considerations, more businesses are choosing PWNs for their secure and reliable alternative to public networks.
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