The data shows that as of the end of September, the total number of 5G base stations in my country reached 2.22 million, becoming the first country in the world to build a 5G network based on an independent networking model; 5G applications cover transportation, medical care, education, cultural tourism and many other areas of life, and the cumulative number of cases exceeds 2 Ten thousand, 5G commercial use has entered a virtuous circle; 5G end users exceed 500 million...

The large-scale implementation of 5G to B applications is inseparable from the support of an important solution - 5G private network. What is a 5G private network? In fact, "private network" is not a proper term in the 5G era. As early as the 2G/3G/4G era, "private network" existed, such as the railway private network based on GSM-R technology, and the public safety private network, These "private networks" support the operation of important systems.

However, with the development of technologies such as big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things, the requirements of various vertical industries for network transmission rate, delay, and security continue to increase. Therefore, the deployment of 5G private networks has become an indispensable means for vertical industries to promote 5G innovative applications, expand production efficiency, and accelerate digital transformation.

At the same time, the main service objects of the private network in the 5G era have changed from the previous government departments or a few large enterprises to many industry enterprises. Therefore, the network construction idea and business model of the private network have also undergone fundamental changes: According to 3GPP R16 According to the standard definition, the deployment mode of 5G private network is divided into independent deployment mode (SNPN, Stand-alone Non-Public Network) and public network integration mode (PNI-NPN, Public Network Integrated Non-Public Network).

The independent deployment mode refers to the use of dedicated spectrum to build a completely dedicated network that is not shared with anyone. This method generally requires the allocation of dedicated frequency bands for enterprises, and the enterprises independently carry out network construction and operation and maintenance. According to the degree of sharing with the public network, the public network integration mode can be divided into two types: "partially shared with the public network (shared RAN or shared RAN and core network control plane)" and "end-to-end shared with the public network".

Global 5G private network achieves initial commercial deployment

With the joint efforts of all parties in the industry, 5G private networks have initially achieved commercial deployment at home and abroad.

Overseas, 5G private networks are first explored in countries with relatively developed manufacturing industries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan. Since 2019, these countries have gradually opened the Sub-6 and millimeter wave frequency bands to various industries to apply for licenses for 5G private network frequency bands, which has promoted 5G application practices in manufacturing, transportation and logistics, scientific research, mining, oil and gas and other industries. For example, the German government opened up a bandwidth of 100M in 2019 (providing 100M of dedicated spectrum resources for vertical industries in the 3.7GHz frequency band), and opened up 10-year usage rights to corporate users, mainly for Industry 4.0, agriculture and forestry . Among them, more than 30 companies, including Bosch, BMW, Volkswagen, BASF, and Lufthansa, have applied for 5G private network frequency bands. Japan also opened dedicated spectrum for enterprises in 2019 (including two frequency bands of 4.5GHz and 28GHz, with a total bandwidth of 1.1G), and called it "Local 5G", submitted by Fujitsu, NEC, Akita Cable, University of Tokyo and other units applied. This year, the Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) passed three bills, approving the use conditions and operating requirements for the radio frequency band of the private network. 5G private network.

In addition, industry standard organizations (such as IEC, etc.) and industrial organizations (such as 5G-ACIA, 5GAA, etc.) combine the specifications formulated by communication standard organizations (such as 3GPP, ITU, GSMA, IEEE, etc.) with specific industrial applications to actively develop 5G Formulation of new technology standards and application specifications combined with the industry.

Domestically, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of 5G private networks and has given comprehensive support in terms of policies. In March 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the "Notice on Promoting the Accelerated Development of 5G", proposing to organize the research and pilot of virtual private networks in the 5G industry; The "5G Application "Sail" Action Plan (2021-2023)" (referred to as the "Action Plan") was issued, which puts forward clear goals for the construction of 5G private networks. Subsequently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology held a national on-site meeting on the large-scale development of 5G industry applications, emphasizing the "Action Plan" as the starting point to build, develop and apply 5G well, and fully promote the application innovation of 5G industry. At the same time, the "Blooming Cup" 5G Application Contest led by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has been held for several consecutive sessions, digging deep into typical 5G applications, exploring mature business models, and creating a new situation for the innovation and development of 5G applications in my country.

At the same time, the three major domestic telecom operators and communication equipment manufacturers have launched unique 5G private network services and product solutions, continuously promoting the maturity of equipment and application implementation, and are committed to developing the "digital and intelligent transformation" of 5G enabling industries. "New Blue Ocean": The three major telecom operators will release 5G private network solutions in 2020 to meet the differentiated business needs of industry users.

China Telecom has proposed three types of 5G customized network service models, namely "Zhiyuan", "Proximity" and "Ruyi", to realize network movement with the cloud and integration of cloud and network. China Telecom subdivides the needs of user scenarios, forms a "five databases and one map" solution knowledge base, and innovatively launches the "5G Customized Network Capability Rubik's Cube", focusing on business requirements, technical parameters, atomic capabilities, standard products, business In terms of solutions and business models, quickly transform the needs of industry users into the configuration parameters of 5G cloud network infrastructure, realize precise adaptation of scenarios, multi-dimensional construction of capabilities, and fast delivery of solutions, and further realize the replication from "1" to "N" , Promote 5G scale replication and commercial closed loop. As of now, China Telecom has built more than 3,800 5G customized network projects and more than 13,000 5G DICT projects. In the 15 industries of the "Action Plan" such as industry, transportation and logistics, medical care, and education, we have cooperated with hundreds of large-scale enterprises, focusing on 5G+ industrial vision, 5G+ production site monitoring, 5G+ remote equipment control, 5G+ smart logistics in factories, etc. 20 The large 5G industry application scenarios have created a number of industry benchmarks.

China Mobile divides the 5G industry private network networking mode into three levels: "preferred", "exclusive" and "exclusive". The network capabilities are gradually superimposed, the degree of network specialization is gradually increased, and the value of the network is gradually enhanced. In response to the differentiated needs of industry users, China Mobile has created a 5G private network operation platform (OneCyber) to provide industry users with "self-service, self-operation and maintenance, and self-development" network services. Subsequently, China Mobile released "5G Private Network 2.0", continued to deepen the new core of "Youzhuanzun", promoted the upgrade of the three major products of "Youxiang+", "Exclusive+" and "Exclusive+", combined with 5G chip modules, MEC Edge computing power, 5G private network operation platform and other capabilities create a 5G+ digital intelligence base to empower industry users. The 5G private network "BAF multi-dimensional" flexible combination of basic functions (Basic) + value-added functions (Advanced) (Flexible), provides users with multi-dimensional, multi-dimensional, multi-mode billing solutions, and supports traffic, bandwidth, base station , speed, service level and other multi-dimensional charges, allowing users to "order a la carte"; at the same time, refine four high-frequency combination packages of Youxiang Changlian, Exclusive Internet, Exclusive Park, and Exclusive Boutique to effectively match application scenarios, Facilitate rapid promotion at the front line. China Mobile has joined hands with industry leaders to deeply cultivate 19 sub-sectors and explore innovative 5G applications. So far, more than 15,000 commercial cases have been implemented. In 2022, the year-on-year growth rate of China Mobile's 5G commercial cases will exceed 100%, exceeding the sum of the number of developments in the previous two years.

China Unicom proposed three 5G industry private network deployment methods of "virtual private network, hybrid private network, and independent private network", focusing on combining edge computing to achieve network-side collaboration. In December 2021, China Unicom released the "5G Industry Private Network Product System 2.0 and 5G Private Network PLUS" during the partner conference, featuring network customization, cloud-edge collaboration, terminal intelligence, intensive operations, and a security system The characteristics of globalization and service integration promote 5G to penetrate into the core production links of enterprises. With 5G fully connected factories as the core focus, China Unicom vigorously promotes the "5G+Industrial Internet" new technologies, new scenarios, and new models to expand in depth in all fields and links of industrial production, helping industrial production to be smarter, more efficient, and safer. Based on 5GC's three-dimensional network architecture of "concentrating one cloud and distributing one network", China Unicom has built a stronger network, realized innovation and access to the network, and scaled up the entire network throughout the process; segmented application scenarios for industries, and implemented network solution baselines , Network configuration templates, enhanced industry-customized network slicing capabilities, multi-level computing power scheduling capabilities, and network-end collaboration capabilities, supporting large-scale delivery of 5G private networks; in terms of services, adhering to the intensive "one-point access, national service" Operational concept, fully upgrade the 5G application mall and 5G private network operation platform, and realize one-click ordering, one-click activation and one-stop service for private network products. At present, China Unicom has created more than 500 5G "lighthouse" projects, more than 2,000 5G industry virtual private network projects, and more than 10,000 industry projects with large-scale 5G applications, covering steel, mining, electricity, education, cultural tourism, medical care, etc. 25 subdivided industries, accelerating the transformation of 5G applications from "model rooms" to "commercial housing".

Under the joint efforts of the three major operators, the construction of 5G private networks has made remarkable progress. At present, 5G is exerting an empowering effect in many industries such as industry, medical care, education, transportation, etc., forming a number of typical application scenarios with commercial value, covering 40 of the 97 major categories of the national economy, and the cumulative number of 5G application cases exceeds 20,000. 5G has been widely used in more than 200 smart mines, more than 1,000 smart factories, more than 180 smart grids, 89 ports, and more than 600 tertiary hospitals across the country. The number of virtual private networks in the 5G industry increased from 1,655 in July 2021 to 6,518, an increase of nearly three times.

In addition, domestic mainstream communication equipment manufacturers have successively launched 5G full-line product solutions, providing customized products such as lightweight core network and cloud-network collaboration for operators' physical dedicated, hybrid private network, shared network and other scenarios: 5G private network equipment has basically Mature and fully implemented, the R15 version is mature for commercial use, and the R16 version has preliminary commercial capabilities.

"New players" rushed into the game, "stirring a pool of spring water"

It is worth noting that the 5G private network market is not just the "world" of traditional telecom operators. New players and new models have emerged in the 5G private network market: cloud computing companies, emerging telecom service providers, industry giants, etc. are highly motivated to expand the 5G private network market relying on their own advantages in cloud, network, and applications.

Cloud computing companies represented by Microsoft, Google, and AWS rely on their public cloud advantages and industry user resources to acquire and cooperate with communication network suppliers and telecom operators to launch cloud-centric 5G industry applications and services. For example, at the end of 2021, AWS launched AWS Private 5G, a solution for enterprise 5G private networks. 5G allows enterprises to purchase, deploy and expand 5G private networks in just a few days. In June 2022, Google officially launched a cellular wireless private network solution for enterprises. This solution is based on its "Google Distributed Cloud Edge" (Google Distributed Cloud Edge) product released in 2021 and utilizes Google's ISV ecosystem. Combining private network capabilities with a complete edge computing application stack to meet the unique performance, service level and economic needs of key vertical industries.

Emerging telecom service providers, represented by communication network suppliers and traditional private network service providers, provide cloud and industry application solutions based on the network, seeking to directly provide 5G private network services to industry users.

Traditional industrial giants represented by Siemens have integrated 5G private networks into their overall industry solutions relying on their monopoly advantages in industry applications.

In addition, mainstream communication equipment vendors are actively deploying the private network field to promote the implementation of products and solutions. For example, Nokia has focused its strategy on the enterprise private network market in recent years, launching two 5G private network solutions, Nokia DAC (Digital Automation Cloud) and MPW (Modular Private Wireless). In 2019, Nokia announced that it has signed wireless private network agreements with more than 120 companies, involving multiple industries such as transportation, energy, public sector, logistics and manufacturing.

In this regard, Wen Ku, chairman of the China Communications Standards Association, suggested that industry users, telecom operators, and cloud computing companies should carry out more cooperation based on industry private networks, explore new models, create new products, and accelerate the development of 5G, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. Research on the integration of technologies such as , big data, and the Internet of Things, promote the maturity of end-to-end network slicing, edge computing, and other technologies, and build an industry-specific network with extensive coverage, leading technology, and high quality. Create a digital infrastructure system that meets the requirements of China's digital economy development, provide users with flexible and diverse, convenient integration, safe, reliable, and comprehensive intelligent 5G services, and help the industry's digital transformation.

Maximizing Spectrum Utilization Efficiency Is Key

The development of 5G private network has achieved remarkable results, but to fully realize the goal of serving thousands of industries, it still needs a process of mutual promotion and spiral evolution. Thousands of industries have different needs for 5G, but there are still many problems to be overcome in order to further develop 5G in the industry in the future. Some experts pointed out that the current 5G industry projects are facing many pain points such as difficulty in DOICT integration, wide coverage, long industrial chain, many business breakpoints, and difficulty in scale replication. "As far as 5G private network engineering is concerned, end-to-end SLA index measurement, guarantee, and performance balance are difficult; network deterministic implementation is difficult, and commercial use is facing great challenges; at the same time, users in key industries such as energy and ports are concerned about network security. The extremely high requirements for isolation and function customization have made it a must to deploy a customized 5G core network on the user side, which also brings great challenges in equipment operation and maintenance; in addition, 5G private network services are developing flexibly and rapidly , It also poses a challenge to private network security." Industry experts said, "In terms of terminal modules, facing the problem of high cost of terminal modules in the industry, and currently only leading enterprises use them, they do not meet the conditions for large-scale deployment. At the same time, new capabilities of terminals , There is a certain lag in the response of new technologies. In this regard, experts suggest strengthening the guidance of the terminal industry, promoting the large-scale commercial use of 5G modules, improving the ability to customize industry modules, and reducing the cost of modules and the entry threshold for industry applications .”

Many experts believe that the biggest problem for private networks to move towards 5G is spectrum allocation. Some experts believe that providing spectrum directly to enterprises or specific verticals is critical to driving the LTE and 5G private market. More and more countries are exploring how to allocate spectrum for private network applications; different countries have adopted different strategies in terms of spectrum liberalization (including LTE and 5G). For example, the CBRS spectrum initiative in the United States finds a balance between the needs of enterprises and telecommunications. CBRS is a plan to share spectrum, allowing enterprises to use some spectrum almost for free, while enabling telecom operators or cable operators to purchase for their traditional services. Additional spectrum; German regulators have allocated spectrum specifically for the enterprise market, which promotes the development of the industry ecosystem of enterprises and suppliers, and is also conducive to attracting international companies to enter the German market.

Domestically, the 5G private network and dedicated frequency are more tolerant and prudent. It may be difficult to allocate 5G spectrum to a single industry. Regulators should also avoid setting aside spectrum for vertical markets in key frequency bands, which will hinder the maximum development of 5G. Full release of usage efficiency and waste of spectrum resources. As a scarce resource, the policy focus of radio spectrum should be to maximize and optimize the efficiency of spectrum use. Private network spectrum is a matter that needs to be considered comprehensively and carefully by the government. Maximizing the efficiency of spectrum resource use is the most critical. "We need to take a cautious attitude towards the dedicated frequency bands for the 5G industry. The construction of vertical industry private networks requires a complete set of professional and guaranteed technical and O&M support. Telecom operators' private networks have the advantages of rich spectrum and mature end-to-end O&M experience." , can provide high-quality network construction and operation and maintenance services for vertical industries, empower vertical industries, and meet the needs of life and production. At the same time, dedicated frequency bands for various industries will bring planning difficulties, large interference, low utilization of spectrum resources, and scattered industries Therefore, it is recommended that industry users give priority to using the operator's 5G industry private network, and at the same time suggest that the government encourage the use of the operator's private network as the primary choice in the fields of people's livelihood and public affairs." The expert emphasized.

"5G private network service is not a single-field issue of mobile communication, but an end-to-end system engineering, which involves the integration of terminals, platforms, applications, etc. in different vertical industries with 5G networks, which requires active exploration of integration in vertical industries and telecom industries , to deepen the understanding of both parties' requirements and technologies. Therefore, the formulation of 5G private network standards from requirements to solutions requires the in-depth participation of professionals in various vertical industries." The expert said, and suggested that "the industry should sort out and summarize existing industry experts. On the basis of network standards, promote cross-industry cooperation with industry, energy, transportation, medical care, education and other industry standardization organizations, carry out standard development of industry private networks including 5G cloud private networks, and jointly promote the core for all parties in the industry chain Provide support for technological breakthroughs and industrialization, carry out technical research on security assurance in all links of cloud, pipe, edge, and end, build a security standard system for industry 5G private networks, and provide safe and reliable 5G industry private networks.”