As an Industry Analyst, I see growth in private wireless continuing to accelerate. There are many reasons enterprises are increasingly turning toward this fast-growing segment. Reasons like wireless is continuing to grow as an important communications tool. Private wireless being more secure than public wireless. Plus, private provides more control directed by the company, not the network.
While the enterprise is one of the fastest growing sectors moving to private wireless, I see this space continuing to expand moving forward.
The term enterprise means a wide range from companies large and small and of all types, government agencies, colleges and universities, hospitals and medical facilities, manufacturing facilities, warehouses and so much more.
These organizations often start out on their own thinking it’s easy. They use public wireless, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more.
However, operating various different networks means they don’t all talk to each other. That means data does not flow freely across the organization. Plus, security on scattered public networks is not good, or to the same standards as private networks.
Public wireless, private wireless and hybrid wireless networks
Enterprise customers typically find they are in over their heads. That’s when they call the experts to help them untangle the mess and implement a solid network experience for the company.
There are basically three levels: public wireless, private wireless and what I call hybrid levels. Within these sub-sectors, there are different companies who serve each.
So, that means you must first do your homework to determine the best fit for your company needs.
Public wireless carriers are one step. These are providers like Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile US, AT&T Mobility, US Cellular, C-Spire and many other similar and smaller public wireless companies.
These networks are designed for the public. That means companies can have dead spots in many areas. That also means security is a concern.
Public and private wireless from Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T
Public wireless networks are now also offering a private option. This is a step above public networks. This gives more security to the enterprise customer, but the service options still remain under the control of the carrier, not the enterprise. Plus, weak spots are still often a problem.
One example is how AT&T is working with the DFW Airport in Dallas. They are working together to improve the Wi-Fi and wireless connectivity for the flying public. DFW is doing this because many customers have complained about having no connectivity. This is a competitive disadvantage. That’s why they are strengthening their offerings.
There are other companies like Kore Wireless who work as the middleman between the carriers and the business customers. They serve the wireless needs of corporations with many users scattered around the country.
These are some options for companies who want to piece together their own operations between wireless services, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
While some companies may find this solution workable, many others reach the point where they simply want expert help. They realize they are not in the wireless business. They find it difficult to keep connectivity between networks.
You see, many times one network doesn’t communicate with another network and information does not freely flow across the enterprise. This creates havoc trying to run a business.
That’s why companies who start out doing it themselves, quickly realize they are in over their heads and they need help.
In these cases, there are a growing variety of options. It is important to learn about this growing private wireless segment, so you can make the right moves for your needs between all the options.
Private wireless Qualcomm, Betacom, Juniper Networks, Federated Wireless
There are companies starting to partner to deliver a comprehensive solution.
Example, Qualcomm works with Betacom to provide a powerful and secure private wireless experience, all under the control of the enterprise.
Another example is Juniper Networks. I recently attended their Enterprise Analyst & Influencer event in Dallas. This was held at the University of Texas at Dallas, which happens to be their customer as well.
The head of the University communication department gave us a tour around the campus, pointing to all the modernization they are doing with wireless, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies behind the scenes.
They described the nightmare they had which were occurring because of their piecemeal approach over the years, and how it is all working together much more smoothly with the new strategy.
Private wireless NTT, HPE, Cisco, Cradlepoint, Nokia, AWS, Celona
In fact, there are quite a few other companies in this private wireless space at one level or another. A few of them include NTT, HPE working with Cisco, Ericsson Cradlepoint, Nokia, Intel, Celona, Samsung, Federated Wireless, Amazon AWS and many others.
You see, the wireless industry has evolved over decades, moving from analog to digital, then 2G to 3G to 4G and now to 5G. In fact, 6G is being planned right now as we speak.
As the wireless industry has gone through the decades, there were times of rapid growth and other times where things slowed down. This is a natural part of the process.
However, this step ladder approach is always moving forward and upward and that is great for innovation and investment.
The industry is continuing its expansion to private wireless, and I believe this is a segment with long legs that is really starting to catch on.
Who knows what the industry will look like in another ten or twenty years and what else we will be dealing with, but I see growth in this private wireless segment continuing to grow for as far out as we can see.
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