Drawing from a rich tapestry of diverse private mobile network projects spanning the globe, our insights have been honed through myriad experiences. Across these ventures, discernible patterns emerge in the rollout of private mobile network initiatives. Rooted in the convergence of customer expectations and industry exigencies, our journey has been one of translating these shared aspirations into bespoke technical requirements across various private network deployments.
Our repertoire encompasses a wide spectrum of sectors, ranging from manufacturing and media contributions to temporary network setups and neutral host architectures. Each domain presents its unique set of challenges and opportunities, offering invaluable lessons that inform our approach to crafting tailored solutions. Through meticulous analysis and adaptation, we have distilled common expectations into actionable technical specifications, ensuring that each private network we deliver is custom-tailored to meet the specific needs and objectives of our clientele.
Private Network PoC expectation
The private network Proof of Concept (PoC) unfolds as a journey of transformation, reshaping connectivity paradigms within industrial settings. While our experiences are predominantly rooted in the manufacturing sector, the insights gleaned resonate universally, underscoring the broad applicability of private networks. Throughout these endeavors, we’ve observed two parallel patterns: the evolution of use cases and the evolution of network infrastructure.
The inception of a private network PoC is driven by the imperative to assess performance metrics and probe the feasibility of managing such networks effectively. Within industrial facilities, existing WiFi infrastructures often serve as the cornerstone of communication, yet surveys reveal that a significant portion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) grapple with inadequate WiFi performance. This realization, albeit surprising during the initial project delivery, has since emerged as a common catalyst for the evolution of private networks.
Upon securing frequency licenses and meticulously integrating network components with existing IT frameworks, the stage is set for network activation. Typically, comprising a modest cluster of two to three base stations, the network swiftly resolves erstwhile connectivity issues, provided installation protocols are meticulously followed. Regardless of whether designated as 4G or 5G, the network’s effectiveness transcends technological labels, with emphasis placed primarily on the obtained frequency licenses. The revelation that air-interface technology holds marginal importance, with basic connectivity reliability improvements serving as the primary focus, represents another unexpected insight.
Embarking on a small-scale private network PoC, initially met with skepticism among factory workers, yields unexpectedly seamless information flow within delimited areas of the facility. The resounding success precipitates rapid calls for network expansion, swiftly enveloping the entire factory floor. Consequently, what began as a PoC swiftly evolves into a full-fledged deployment, entangled with negotiations surrounding commercial usage terms. The remarkable pace at which progress unfolds, where requests for additional base stations surface within weeks rather than the agreed-upon months, serves as a third surprising revelation.
In summary, the private network PoC journey is characterized by its transformative impact on industrial connectivity, marked by unforeseen insights and rapid deployment trajectories.
Roadmap after the Private Network PoC
However, the narrative unfolds further still, the quest for network optimization takes on new dimensions. With network coverage enhanced and connectivity bolstered, the exigency for advanced remote management capabilities becomes paramount for factory management. This pursuit demands augmented uplink capacities to support high-fidelity video streams essential for remote machine control. While the specific generation of network technology becomes less pertinent, the ability to select optimal air interface frame structures emerges as pivotal. Furthermore, ingenious strategies are devised to conserve air interface capacity without compromising visual fidelity, ensuring seamless operation even in demanding scenarios such as Emergency Stop protocols. In such cases, where strict and continuous monitoring is essential, the network must maintain uninterrupted connectivity with emergency buttons; any loss of connection prompts automatic halting of machinery, underscoring the criticality of network reliability in industrial settings.
Yet, the journey continues unabated. As the initial wave of remote-controlled machine projects comes to fruition, management turns its gaze toward the realm of autonomous machinery. Although still relatively uncommon, the realization of such endeavors necessitates meticulous synchronization between machines and seamless integration with existing IT infrastructures. While attainable via 4G networks, the advent of 5G introduces distinct advantages, notably through the availability of Ethernet PDU (Protocol Data Unit). This evolution underscores the progressive trajectory of private networks, poised to revolutionize industrial automation and usher in an era of heightened efficiency and connectivity.
