GigaOm Radar for Private LTE and 5G Solutionsv1.0

Enabling New Use Cases at the Edge

Table of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. Target Markets and Deployment Models
  3. Key Criteria Comparison
  4. GigaOm Radar
  5. Vendor Insights
  6. Analyst’s Take
  7. About Ivan McPhee

1. Summary

Delivering increased throughput, consistency, and security, private LTE and 5G networks are the next evolution of wireless technologies, fueling the internet of things (IoT), industrial internet of things (IIoT), and Industry 4.0 transformation. Operating as a cellular carrier, the organization building or purchasing the private LTE or 5G network provides the SIM cards, customer premises equipment, network core, and radiofrequency (RF) licensing—in addition to radios and antennas.

Enterprises deploying a private wireless network can either build and run it themselves or outsource it to a managed service provider (MSP), mobile network operator (MNO), network equipment provider (NEP), or system integrator (SI). Private LTE and 5G vendors provide a range of private wireless network infrastructure and services to partners and/or enterprises, from essential hardware and software components to end-to-end implementations.

Representing features and capabilities widely adopted and well implemented in the industry, the following table stakes are the minimum required for solutions to be included in the GigaOm Radar for private LTE and 5G.

  • Private deployment: Deployed on-premises or in the cloud as an independent LTE or 5G deployment, the target LTE or 5G network is owned and operated under the control of the enterprise or end-user organization. However, the network management may be outsourced to an MNO, MSP, NEP, or SI.
  • Global connectivity: Providing access from any device, either on-premises or off-site, anywhere in the world, the private LTE or 5G networks must connect seamlessly and securely to the cloud, enterprise applications, IoT devices, legacy networks, and traditional business applications.
  • Secure, predictable performance: Leveraging multiple input multiple output (MIMO) or ultra-reliable, low-latency communications (URLLC), the solution offers predictable high data rates and ultra-low-latency for business-critical 5G applications and emerging use cases, including smart cities, smart utility grids, and IIoT.
  • Mobile network operator support: Supporting transparent handovers to public mobile networks, interworking includes moving between different base stations within the LTE EPC or 5GC network and connecting to public networks using older standards, including 3G, 4G, and early LTE versions.

Once the table stakes are met, each solution is scored on key criteria and evaluation metrics. Key criteria are the basis on which organizations decide which solutions to adopt for their particular needs, while evaluation metrics determine the impact that the solution may have on the organization.

This GigaOm Radar report for private LTE and 5G report provides an overview of notable private LTE and 5G vendors and their available offerings. The corresponding GigaOm reportKey Criteria for Evaluating Private LTE and 5G Solutionsoutlines critical criteria and evaluation metrics for selecting a private LTE or 5G solution. Together, these reports offer essential insights for private mobile initiatives, helping decision-makers evaluate solutions before deciding where to invest.

How to Read this Report

This GigaOm report is one of a series of documents that helps IT organizations assess competing solutions in the context of well-defined features and criteria. For a fuller understanding, consider reviewing the following reports:

Key Criteria report: A detailed market sector analysis that assesses the impact that key product features and criteria have on top-line solution characteristics—such as scalability, performance, and TCO—that drive purchase decisions.

GigaOm Radar report: A forward-looking analysis that plots the relative value and progression of vendor solutions along multiple axes based on strategy and execution. The Radar report includes a breakdown of each vendor’s offering in the sector.

Solution Profile: An in-depth vendor analysis that builds on the framework developed in the Key Criteria and Radar reports to assess a company’s engagement within a technology sector. This analysis includes forward-looking guidance around both strategy and product.

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