Apple has opened support in iOS 17 for private data-only cellular networks running LTE and 5G (in both standalone and non-standalone mode), meaning most new and new-ish iPhone (13 and up) and iPad models can now be used as work devices in private network setups. The announcement, lost in the fuss about its Mac-priced ($3,499) Vision Pro extended virtual reality (VR) headset, removes a major hangup for enterprises deploying private cellular networks. The move was greeted with some cheer by the private 5G crowd, although there was a reminder, as well, that Apple’s iPhone solution is only really any good for white-collar 5G (see bottom).
It is the first time Apple has provided iPhone / iPad support for standalone 5G (SA). The update is available now in beta, and from August as a commercial provision. A statement, apparently only available in certain markets, says Apple products now work, using a private-network SIM (embedded or physical) with the global ITU-defined 999 mobile country code (MCC) – which works with any n77, n78, and n79-banded private network, and associated two-digit mobile network code (MNC) in any country.
As well, where private network identifier assignments are administered by local regulators, Apple is now providing support for country-specific private land mobile network (PLMN) IDs in Germany (MCC-MNC: 262-98) and Sweden (240-60), as well as for the CBRS-designated n48 band in the US (315-010). Apple gave these three local-market PLMN IDs as examples, suggesting (present / future) compatibility with other local licensing regimes, too. But it states: “Compatibility will vary by iPhone and iPad model and country or region where the device is being sold.”
Importantly, Apple has provided a number of fixes for mobile device management (MDM) to extend private network features to Apple products. It says: “Some device settings for an organisation’s private network can be configured using an MDM solution or a configuration profile containing a private cellular network payload. Only one… payload is supported at a time.” Companies also have the option to “prefer” cellular access over Wi-Fi when both networks are available. Devices can prioritise cellular, while also permitting Wi-Fi for services such as AirDrop and AirPlay.
The other big fix is with geofencing, to allow a private cellular SIM to automatically switch from a public carrier network to a private enterprise network when crossing a pre-defined geofence boundary. The feature is only available with a single SIM on an iPhone. “The iPhone can seamlessly switch between a private network SIM and a carrier SIM as the user moves in and out of private network coverage,” it says. The geofence can be set at a radius of between 100 metres and 6.5 kilometres; up to 1,000 geofences can be defined with each private network payload.
The updates mean workers can make voice calls over a public network, whilst remaining attached to a private network for work data. There is also a section in the service page about 5G slicing on iOS 17 products, affording enterprises a way to assign network slices to managed apps on their “carrier’s [public] 5G SA network”. Apple says: “This causes all traffic for a designated managed app to be routed to the slice identified by a specified data network name (DNN).” It warns that DNN assignments for network slicing will vary based on carrier, plan, or subscription.
The news was greeted with some cheer by the private networks crowd. One source said: “This will help to supercharge the adoption of private 5G networks. One of the big barriers to entry for enterprises has been with the devices they can use on private 5G networks. This deals with that problem, directly. There are several ‘hidden’ features that are extremely powerful in Apple’s support for private networks.
“One is the ability to configure the ‘connection priority’ to ease roaming between public and private networks or to prefer private cellular over WI-Fi. The other is geofencing, and specifically the ability to push the geofence to the device to connect to the private network when in range, which means the device is not constantly searching for the private network – and saves on battery life.”
But others noted that tougher Android-based devices had been picked to go with private 5G networks in a number of harder-nosed Industry 4.0 markets, already. Another source commented: “This is indeed good news, especially for customers who love Apple – even if today the majority of tough devices are based on Android and enterprises are rarely that fussed about the device OS.” The implication is that iPhones, even with DIY protective cases and software applications, do not address issues with durability, usability, pricing, and certain industry-specific certifications – even if much of the white-collar workforce has been holding out for Apple.
Even so, the mood in the private 5G camp is positive, and somewhat relieved, that Apple has opened wider supoort for private cellular usage.
(Some additional commentary since this article went live.) Leo Gergs, principal analyst at ABI Research, commented: “This is a step into the right direction, as it drives attention for other device manufacturers to not forget about private networks. Having a big fish like Apple supporting private networks will hopefully drag the mainstream device manufacturers into the arena as well. So I think this is a positive development mostly because it drives attention.
“[But] looking at it from a different angle, I also don’t think it realistically changes anything in terms of device availability. Yes, it is great to have consumer-type handsets supporting private networks now, but let’s face it: for the private enterprise cellular story to flourish we need more industrial grade devices, including smart glasses, headsets, and smart machine tools.”
Stephane Daeuble, in charge of enterprise solution marketing at Nokia, added: “Nokia has worked for the last decade to help drive the industrial LTE and 5G ecosystem – including [by creating our] own range of industrial devices, which are enabling many use cases on private wireless today. In that sense, Nokia welcomes any positive signs of a growing ecosystem of private wireless compatible devices that will help further accelerate private wireless adoption. Apple’s announcement is also an additional validation of Nokia’s enterprise strategy and the fact that private wireless networks are essential building blocks for the on-going Industry 4.0 transformation.”
