New data from a GSA report suggests that the demand for private mobile networks based on 4G LTE and increasingly 5G technologies is being driven by the escalating data, security, digitisation and mobility requirements of modern enterprise and government entities. Private Mobile Networks – Market Status Update reports that 74 countries globally have at least one private mobile network with manufacturing, education, device testing and lab as a service and oil and gas leading the verticals with the highest growth based on 1,148 customer references in Q1 2023 up from 1,077 in Q4 2022.
In Q1 2023, GSA’s Private Mobile Networks Special Interest Group members reported two-thirds of the customer references they provided are not reported elsewhere, making this program the most comprehensive PMN customer database globally.
Of the 1,148 referenced, LTE is used in 853 of the catalogued customers deploying private mobile networks for which GSA has data. 5G is being deployed in 505, 48 percent of these customers, with a focus on long-term trials and deployments within educational and testbed/validation facilities
Typically, there is a strong, positive correlation between the number of private mobile networks being deployed and the countries with dedicated spectrum. The U.S., Germany, China, U.K. and Japan are the top five countries deploying private mobile networks worldwide.
Organisations of all types are combining connected systems with big data and analytics to transform operations, increase automation and efficiency or deliver new services to their users. Wireless networking with LTE or 5G enables these transformations to take place even in the most dynamic, remote or highly secure environments, while offering the scale benefits of a technology that has already been deployed worldwide.
“Private mobile networks are often part of a broader digital transformation program, including cloud networking and advanced technologies like AI, machine learning and data analytics. These networks increasingly utilise mobile connectivity to enhance their capabilities. GSA data clearly shows that there is a considerable and diverse group of market participants who are actively involved in creating and providing solutions for private mobile networks. With a wealth of opportunities available and diverse regulatory strategies in place to facilitate LTE and 5G private usage, significant and promising progress in the market is clearly on the horizon over the next few years,” said Joe Barrett, President of Global mobile Suppliers Association. “Drawing on extensive unique and non-public data provided by the members of our Private Mobile Networks Special Interest Group, GSA will continue to track the development and expansion of deployments across all industries and regions.”