5G technology promises to bring faster and more reliable connectivity, enabling new applications and transforming industries such as healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing.
Public, private, and hybrid 5G networks each offer unique advantages and disadvantages, depending on the needs and objectives of the organisation.
In this article, we will explore the different types of 5G networks, how they differ, their cost, and what they offer various businesses and industries.
Overview of public, private, and hybrid 5G networks
Before we get started, it’s worth defining public, private, and hybrid 5G networks as well as their differences.
Public 5G networks are owned and operated by telecommunication companies and offer high-speed internet connectivity to consumers and businesses.
Private 5G networks are built and managed by individual organisations for their own use, providing secure and customised connectivity for internal stakeholders, such as employees.
Hybrid 5G networks combine both public and private infrastructure to create a flexible and scalable network.
Public 5G networks
These networks are based on high-speed wireless network infrastructure that is owned and operated by telecommunication companies. They provide internet connectivity to consumers, businesses, and other organisations. Public 5G is typically used to access various services, such as voice calling, messaging, video streaming, and internet browsing.
Advantages of public 5G networks:
- High-speed connectivity that’s suitable for video streaming, AR/VR, and downloading/uploading large files.
- Typically has a wider coverage area than private networks (usually nationwide).
- Allows users to leverage existing network infrastructure.
- Accessible to nearly everyone, regardless of their location or financial resources.
Disadvantages of public 5G networks:
- More vulnerable to security threats such as hacking and data breaches, and users rely on network operators to ensure their data is secure.
- Users are dependent on network operators to provide reliable and high-quality connectivity.
- Limited control over the network infrastructure.
- Operators may collect user data for marketing or other purposes.
Average cost
Public 5G network providers typically offer fixed-cost packages aimed at users with different needs:
- Households: £29 – £79.40 a month
- SMBs: £29 – £100 a month
- Enterprises: Anywhere from £80 to hundreds per month
Private 5G networks
This is a high-speed wireless network infrastructure that is built and managed by an individual organisation for its own use. Unlike public networks, private networks are not accessible to the general public and are designed to provide secure connectivity for specific applications or use cases. Private 5G networks can be used in various industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation.
Advantages of private 5G networks:
- Networks can be optimised for specific requirements and applications.
- Enhanced security compared to public networks, with restricted access and advanced security measures.
- Provides higher reliability as organisations can control and prioritise network traffic to ensure that critical applications have the necessary bandwidth.
- Capable of lower latency, which is critical for real-time applications.
Disadvantages of private 5G networks:
- Can be expensive, as organisations need to invest in their own infrastructure, maintenance, and equipment.
- Private 5G networks are limited to a specific location or area.
- Organizations are responsible for maintaining and upgrading infrastructure.
Average cost
It’s almost impossible to accurately estimate the cost of 5G private networks without knowing the organisation’s unique technical requirements. However, Amazon AWS estimates costs at £6,000/month for IoT devices in a manufacturing facility to £12,000/month for all IoT in a large manufacturing facility. However, there may be other significant costs, such as erecting connectivity towers.
The hybrid 5G network – does it offer the best of both worlds?
A hybrid network combines public and private network infrastructures. An organisation may use a private network to handle critical business functions, such as secure data transfer, while using a public network to handle less sensitive functions, such as internet access or email.
The private infrastructure may include leased lines, dedicated circuits, or virtual private networks (VPNs), while ISPs/CSPs provide the public infrastructure.
Advantages of hybrid business networks:
- Offers the flexibility to run different operations on suitable network infrastructure.
- Businesses can reduce the risk of downtime, data loss, and disruptions by diversifying their network.
- Reduce costs by leveraging low-cost public networks for non-critical functions.
- Enables organisations to segregate sensitive and publicly accessible data and limit unauthorised access.
- Enables businesses to optimise their network resources to suit their needs.
Disadvantages of hybrid business networks:
- Managing hybrid networks can be complex, involving multiple network infrastructures and vendors.
- If the public infrastructure is not secured properly, the entire network may be vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data breaches.
- Organizations may face compatibility issues when integrating multiple network technologies.
- It can be challenging to integrate, requiring specialised hardware and software.
Average cost
Hybrid networks will include costs associated with both public and private networks. However, the cost is typically lower than a fully private network because organisations can leverage the low-cost infrastructure of ISPs/CSPs for much of their networking needs. That being said, there may be extra licensing costs.
Why are public, private, and hybrid 5G networks a good solution for companies?
From an operational perspective, the advantages of 5G over 4G networks are clear. 5G offers superior latency, capacity, and bandwidth compared to 4G. In an age where the need for connectivity is growing daily, this can only be a good thing.
Public 5G networks are convenient for their ubiquitous coverage and low-cost/low-effort approach. However, organisations can’t fully trust them with their sensitive data and systems because of their public nature and the fact that they have limited control over access and security.
Private 5G gives organisations full control over network access and security, plus its general configuration for optimal performance. However, it can be prohibitively expensive to install and maintain, and organisations will solely be responsible for its continued development.
Hybrid seems to be the way forward. If properly configured, it can give organisations the necessary control over the functioning and security of critical systems without having to develop their infrastructure from nothing. They can also leverage the convenience and accessibility of low-cost public networks to keep connected with their diaspora of stakeholders.
There’s no such thing as a one-shoe-fits-all 5G network for business
With its faster speeds, lower latency, and increased bandwidth, 5G connectivity is a universal win for business, no matter how you look at it. However, public, private, and hybrid 5G networks have different advantages and disadvantages, depending on your business needs. Public networks are low-cost, convenient, and accessible but at the cost of security and configurability.
A private network can be secure and optimised for business operations but is expensive to build and maintain. Hybrid can be a solid middle ground, leveraging the best features of both networks to give businesses a tailored, flexible infrastructure.
The author is Darren Wall, freelance technology writer
