Private wireless is a relatively new space in the wireless industry. It is very different from public wireless, which is what we are familiar with. This has been with us for a few years, but both interest from various enterprise customers and increased vendor participation, large and small show this is becoming a real growth sector which no one wants to miss out on.
There are real reasons enterprise customers see value in private wireless, such as giving the enterprise customer more control, better coverage, priority access for the CEO, top management and important personnel when the network is congested, better security, less network congestion and more.
Private wireless attracts enterprise customers like corporations, stadiums, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, governments and so many others are learning about these real benefits.
That’s some of why we are seeing a rapid increase in interest about private wireless services of varying degrees offered both by public wireless networks and private network builders.
Now, M&A and partnerships are starting to play a role in private wireless as well. This is what happens as new sectors like this grow and mature.
Qualcomm and US Cellular partner with Betacom on private wireless
Last year, Qualcomm started working with Betacom for quick entry into this private wireless space.
Recently, US Cellular stuck a deal with Betacom to more rapidly enter this space and capture market share.
Now, we are learning about how Boldyn Networks from the U.K. is acquiring the private wireless business Edzcom from Spanish tower company Cellnex Telecom. This acquisition gives them quick entry into this new and rapidly growing space in Europe.
Boldyn acquired Cellnex private wireless through M&A
So, as you can see, we are in the very early innings of what is turning out to be an exciting new private wireless ball game.
In fact, today there are many companies in this new space at different levels. Some more comprehensive than others. I expect to see more as this sector really starts to take root and grow.
New industry spaces often take this same familiar path. When they are new and young, there are plenty of small companies entering the space.
At this point it is difficult for any of them to really capture the attention of the marketplace.
Difficult for companies to be seen and heard in noisy marketplace
Recognition is a like a salmon swimming upstream. It is vital, but also very difficult in a loud and noisy industry.
Then, over time, with growth and the mergers and acquisitions in the space, the industry matures and changes.
Rather than countless smaller competitors, this leaves fewer and larger ones. That continues over the course of several years until the industry is mature with fewer and larger competitors.
This is what happened in the wireless industry. You remember in the early years there were countless smaller wireless carriers. Today, there are fewer and larger leaders.
The same thing happened with the Baby Bells in the 1980’s and 1990’s. It started with seven after the breakup of Ma Bell. Today, after consolidation we have two, AT&T and Verizon. We also have a smaller third place contender called CenturyLink or Lumen Technologies.
AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, US Cellular, C-Spire and private wireless
This has happened in industry after industry. And this is what we see beginning to happen in the world of private wireless.
Today, private wireless is a new and rapidly growing segment. It has a growing number of competitors at various levels.
Public wireless are networks like AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, US Cellular, C-Spire and others. Or resellers like Xfinity Mobile, Spectrum Mobile, Optimum, Cricket, Visible and others. Some of these are starting to offer private wireless services.
Qualcomm, US Cellular, Betacom, NTT, Cisco, Intel in private wireless
Then there are network builders who operate in sectors of the private wireless space. Some build out the larger network, while others focus on segments.
Companies like Qualcomm, US Cellular, Betacom, Boldyn acquiring Cellnex mentioned above, Globalstar, Celona, Juniper Networks, Federated Wireless, Ericsson, NTT, Cradlepoint, HPE, Cisco, Nokia, Intel, Samsung and many others. And more are entering the space all the time.
Private wireless is still in its early innings. Expect much in the way of noise, growth and transformation over the next several years.
In that high level of noise, it is difficult for any competitor to be found.
Today, there is no single leader in the space. We are still at the early stage where there are many players all working hard to be a leader.
Today, there is no leader yet among all the noise in private wireless
This is where having the right marketing and messaging is important to build the perception of your company in this growing private wireless space. You need to shout from the top of the mountain in order to be found and considered.
I expect this path will continue for years to come. And in fact, increase over time. That means I fully expect to see more partnerships and M&A activity, just like we saw in other industry sectors.
I also expect to see more wireless carrier’s partner with private wireless companies for a more rapid rollout of new service offerings.
Based on what we are seeing today in the marketplace, I believe we are in the early days of this private wireless revolution which will continue to grow, expand and change moving forward.
If you are a CEO, now is the time to jump into this new and rapidly growing space.
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