As we have explained in this ongoing series, private networks (or NPNs, as they are correctly called in the context of mobile) are typically deployed for two primary reasons. First, to provide dedicated connectivity in a specific location, with tightly defined performance characteristics. Second, to shift processing resources to the source of demand to support applications that require lower latency than can be delivered by a public mobile network.
We have explained the technical reasons behind this and how NPNs make enhanced performance possible. Now, let’s consider why you might need one. We can start with an obvious need: you know you need performance to support your transformation goals, but your MNO can’t (or won’t) provide what you need to go fully wireless.
This could be because of your location — you’re just too far from suitable access — or, they don’t want to, because they don’t see the value of your business. You may not have the market leverage to get what you want. Happily, there are options to solve your problems – on which, more later. First, though, we’ll explore use cases for NPNs in this latest tech tip.
NPNs for industrial purposes
If you have a factory and are involved in manufacturing or assembling products, it’s likely that you are also updating your infrastructure to support digitalisation or autonomous operations.
Increasingly, factory operators are seeking to stitch together their machinery and to connect devices, facilitating workflows and production processes. Data from one source (for example, accurate measurement from inside machine tools that gives insights into wear and tear) can inform others. In the past, it’s been tricky to achieve this, because of complex cabling requirements. Wireless connectivity solves this problem.
Similarly, new processes that can accelerate or optimise operations are emerging – digital twins, for example, and autonomous robots are finding a home on the factory floor. These applications are demanding and require rapid data processing and low latency, for which edge computing offers a solution. Using a private network to host the necessary resources and to deliver the very highest levels of performance is seen by many as one way ahead for factories and industrial operations.
Logistics handling and warehousing
Modern supply and delivery chains depend on sophisticated operations to ensure efficient distribution and technology plays a huge part in this. Online retailers have invested in fulfilment centres, seeking to automate as much of their workflows as they can, while distribution hubs are searching for similar efficiencies. Both are increasingly using autonomous robots and vehicles in at least part of the picking processes – facilitated by appropriate wireless connectivity locally.
NPNs are already delivering benefits in this sector, providing the coverage and connectivity, as well as the performance to support massive warehouse and distribution operations – and some smaller but equally sophisticated businesses are also expressing an interest in deploying their own networks.
Events and stadia
Visitors to concert and sports venues expect to be able to use their mobile devices to interact with social media, share pictures and videos – and more. But many such locations are not well-served by the public mobile networks available, lacking capacity to cope with surges in demand. That’s why many in the entertainment and sports sectors are looking to build NPNs to cater for their users.
These might be constructed for permanent operations — in a football stadium, for example — or perhaps on a temporary basis, for a festival. While larger festivals or venues may attract the attention of national mobile operators, others may struggle – and, with visitor experiences paramount, NPNs may be just the solution they need. Why shouldn’t site operators be able to deliver them?
Smart cities and isolated locations
Many civic authorities and municipalities have invested in a range of smart citizen services and are seeking to democratise (open) access to them so that all residents can benefit. In addition, many are also trying to enhance connectivity – not just for citizens, but also to create a better environment for businesses.
However, for those towns and villages in more remote locations, this can be a challenge. NPNs can be useful here, to provide both the desired coverage and also carrier neutral access. They can be tuned to meet the needs of the locality and controlled to deliver services to enhance local businesses and citizen access alike.
Agriculture
Agriculture – spanning arable, fruit, livestock, viticulture and more – is rapidly embracing digital transformation to enhance yields, leverage autonomous operations, and to cope with increasing labour shortages. Innovations abound – but connectivity is required to smart IoT devices and monitors in what can be highly remote locations.
As such, agriculture is a natural candidate for the adoption of small-scale mobile networks — NPNs — and farmers, agricultural cooperatives and wholesalers are exploring their potential to deliver more efficient operations and cost reduction.
Offshore and maritime
Mobile networks are often available when in range of the coast, but when the distance grows too great, they essentially disappear. At the same time, for security reasons, public network may not be appropriate for critical infrastructure, such as offshore wind farms.
NPNs can provide coverage both in a dedicated area for such installations, but they can also provide connectivity for an entire vessel or fleet of vessels that need to coordinate activities and exchange data – for example, fishing fleets. With digital transformation bringing huge numbers of connected process to the waves, NPNs can provide a smooth pathway to ensure localised connectivity, even when mid-ocean.
Telecom26 – how do we help?
NPNs will help businesses and organisations drive efficiency in their operations, offer new connectivity options and deliver coverage where MNOs are reluctant to invest. That’s why, at Telecom26, we’re launching a new range of NPN offers to help bring the benefits to even the smallest customers.
Put simply, MNOs can’t — and won’t — deliver NPNs to every potential user. They’ll likely focus on the largest organisations and won’t help others get connected. We believe things should be different.
We have the experience and technical know-how to help any organisation deploy the right kind of NPN – optimised to meet business and organisational goals. Where spectrum is available from the regulator, we can help you secure the frequency you need for the intended location.
We provide the radio, transport and core, build the network for you, and operate it so you can meet your goals — and we can even help determine how you enable access to your network — together with our SIMs for local device connectivity, protected by our advanced security.
Best of all, we take care of the mobility part, while you focus on the outcomes you seek from the NPN. It’s a partnership that blends our expertise with yours, bringing NPNs to any organisation that needs them. Your network, how you want it – delivered and managed by us with our connectivity.
Why not talk to us and see how we can help?
