Private LTE & 5G Network Ecosystem: 2025 – 2030 – Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies, Industry Verticals & Forecasts

Historically a niche segment of the wider wireless telecommunications industry, private cellular networks – also referred to as NPNs (Non-Public Networks) in 3GPP terminology – have rapidly gained popularity in recent years due to privacy, security, reliability, and performance advantages over public mobile networks and competing wireless technologies as well as their potential to replace hardwired connections with non-obstructive wireless links. With the 3GPP-led standardization of features such as MCX (Mission-Critical PTT, Video & Data), URLLC (Ultra-Reliable, Low-Latency Communications), TSC (Time-Sensitive Communications), RedCap (Reduced Capability) for IIoT (Industrial IoT), NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) connectivity, SNPNs (Standalone NPNs), PNI-NPNs (Public Network-Integrated NPNs), and network slicing, private networks based on LTE and 5G technologies have gained recognition as an all-inclusive connectivity platform for critical communications, Industry 4.0, and enterprise transformation-related applications. Traditionally, these sectors have been dominated by LMR (Land Mobile Radio), Wi-Fi, industrial Ethernet, fiber, and other disparate networks.

The liberalization of spectrum is another factor that is accelerating the adoption of private LTE and 5G networks. National regulators across the globe have released or are in the process of granting access to shared and local area licensed spectrum. Examples include the three-tiered CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum sharing scheme in the United States, Canada's NCLL (Non-Competitive Local Licensing) framework, Germany's 3.7-3.8 GHz and 28 GHz licenses for 5G campus networks, United Kingdom's shared and local access licensing model, Ireland's planned licensing regime for local area WBB (Wireless Broadband) systems, France's vertical spectrum and sub-letting arrangements, Spain's reservation of the 2.3 GHz and 26 GHz bands for self-provisioned local networks, Netherlands' 3.5 GHz licenses for plot-based networks, Switzerland's NPN spectrum assignment in the 3.4-3.5 GHz band, Belgium’s authorization of 3.8-4.2 GHz spectrum for private networks, Finland's 2.3 GHz and 26 GHz licenses for local 4G/5G networks, Sweden's 3.7 GHz and 26 GHz permits, Norway's regulation of local networks in the 3.8-4.2 GHz band, Poland's spectrum assignment for local government units and enterprises, Slovenia's allocation of 2.3 MHz and 3.6 GHz frequencies for local networks, Moldova’s assignment of 3.8-4.2 GHz spectrum, Bahrain's private 5G network licenses, Japan's 4.6-4.9 GHz and 28 GHz local 5G network licenses, South Korea's e-Um 5G allocations in the 4.7 GHz and 28 GHz bands, Taiwan's provision of 4.8-4.9 GHz spectrum for private 5G networks, Hong Kong's LWBS (Localized Wireless Broadband Service) licenses, Thailand's allocation of 4.8 GHz PNO (Private Network Operator) spectrum, Australia's apparatus licensing approach, Brazil's multi-band SLP (Private Limited Service) licenses, and Argentina's 2.3-2.4 GHz SPIBA (Private Wireless Broadband System) licenses. Vast swaths of globally and regionally harmonized license-exempt spectrum are also available worldwide that can be used for the operation of unlicensed LTE and 5G NR-U equipment for private networks. In addition, dedicated national spectrum in sub-1 GHz and higher frequencies has been allocated for specific critical communications-related applications in many countries.

LTE and 5G-based private cellular networks come in many different shapes and sizes, including isolated end-to-end NPNs in industrial and enterprise settings, local RAN equipment for targeted cellular coverage, dedicated on-premise core network functions, virtual sliced private networks, secure MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) platforms for critical communications, and wide area networks for application scenarios such as PPDR (Public Protection & Disaster Relief) broadband, smart utility grids, railway communications, and A2G (Air-to-Ground) connectivity. However, it is important to note that equipment suppliers, system integrators, private network specialists, mobile operators, and other ecosystem players have slightly different perceptions as to what exactly constitutes a private cellular network. While there is near-universal consensus that private LTE and 5G networks refer to purpose-built cellular communications systems intended for the exclusive use of vertical industries and enterprises, some industry participants extend this definition to also include other market segments – for example, 3GPP-based community and residential broadband networks deployed by non-traditional service providers. Another closely related segment is neutral host infrastructure for shared or multi-operator coverage enhancement in indoor environments or underserved outdoor areas.

Despite the somewhat differing views on market definition, one thing is clear – private LTE and 5G networks are continuing their upward trajectory with deployments targeting a multitude of use cases across various industries. These range from localized wireless systems for dedicated connectivity in factories, warehouses, mines, power plants, substations, offshore wind farms, oil and gas facilities, construction sites, maritime ports, airports, hospitals, stadiums, office buildings, and university campuses to regional and nationwide sub-1 GHz private wireless broadband networks for utilities, FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System)-ready networks for train-to-ground communications, and hybrid government-commercial public safety broadband networks. Custom-built cellular networks have also been implemented in locations as remote as Antarctica, and there have even been attempts to deploy them on the Moon and in outer space.

The expanding influence of the private LTE and 5G network market is evident from the use of both permanent networks and portable network-in-a-box systems for professional TV broadcasting, enhanced fan engagement, and gameplay operations at major sports events, including the 2025 Ryder Cup, PGA Championship, Formula One Australian Grand Prix, SailGP's 2025 Season, Belgian Cup Final, FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, FISU World University Games, Diamond League, International Island Games, Sukma Games, Paris Summer Olympics, English Premier League, Bundesliga, UEFA European Football Championship, North West 200 Motorcycle Race, World Rowing Cup, MLB (Major League Baseball), UFL (United Football League), and NFL (National Football League), as well as the Republican and Democratic National Conventions in the lead-up to last year's United States presidential election. Rapidly deployable private cellular networks have also been utilized for enhanced communications in UN (United Nations) humanitarian missions, disaster relief operations, and recent military exercises such as the Norwegian military’s Joint Viking 2025 exercise in the Arctic Circle; SABAK 2025, a joint exercise of the Philippine Army and USARPAC (U.S. Army Pacific) forces; U.S. Marine Corps’ Steel Knight and ITX (Integrated Training Exercise) 1-25; JGSDF’s (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force) Nankai Rescue disaster response training drill; and REPMUS, an unmanned systems experimentation exercise led by the Portuguese Navy.

Other examples of high-impact private LTE/5G engagements include but are not limited to multi-site, multi-national private cellular deployments at the facilities of Airbus, Anglo American, BHP, BMW, Boliden, BP, Chevron, Dow, Ford, Glencore, Hutchison Ports, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, John Deere, LG Electronics, Lufthansa, Midea, Newmont, POSCO, Rio Tinto, Tesla, Toyota, Vale, Volkswagen, Walmart, and numerous other household names and industrial giants; service territory-wide private wireless projects of 450connect, Ameren, Cemig, CPFL Energia, EDP Brasil, ESB Networks, Evergy, LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority), MLGW (Memphis Light, Gas and Water), Neoenergia, PGE (Polish Energy Group), SCE (Southern California Edison), SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric), Tampa Electric, TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhad), Xcel Energy, and other utility companies; local wireless networks at the power plants of EDF, Eletrobras, Enel, KHNP (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power), and Kyushu Electric Power; Saudi Arabia's $8.7 billion mission-critical broadband network project for the country's defense, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies; Aramco Digital's phased rollout of its nationwide 450 MHz 5G-ready radio network across 50 industrial zones; ADNOC's (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) buildout of a multi-band private 5G network to connect thousands of remote wells and pipelines over an 11,000 square kilometer area; Tampnet's 5G NR upgrade and vendor swap of 120 base stations and converged 4G-5G packet core deployment across its global offshore mobile network; Equinor’s multi-band 5G network upgrade for its offshore installations in the North Sea; Maersk’s ongoing deployment of private wireless network equipment on board 450 vessels in its fleet; Gogo Business Aviation's 5G A2G network for inflight connectivity in North America, which spans 2,400 Open RAN-compliant RUs (Radio Units); Sweden’s $35 million VGR (Region Västra Götaland)-5G initiative for indoor private 5G coverage at over 500 critical properties and hospitals in Västra Götaland County; defense sector 5G programs for the adoption of tactical cellular systems and permanent private 5G networks at military bases in the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Finland, Qatar, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore; DB's (Deutsche Bahn) and Adif’s rollouts of FRMCS-ready cell sites along major rail routes and 5G campus networks at their maintenance and logistics facilities; and New York City Subway’s implementation of a private 5G network to support CBTC (Communications-Based Train Control) operations.

SNS Telecom & IT projects that global spending on private LTE and 5G network infrastructure for vertical industries will grow at a CAGR of approximately 22% between 2025 and 2028, eventually exceeding $7.2 billion by the end of 2028. More than 70% of these investments – an estimated $5.1 billion – will be directed towards the buildout of standalone private 5G networks, which are well-positioned to become the predominant wireless connectivity medium for Industry 4.0 applications in manufacturing and process industries, as well as critical communications over mission-critical broadband networks for sectors such as public safety, defense, utilities, and transportation. This unprecedented level of growth is likely to transform the private RAN, mobile core, and transport network segments into an almost parallel equipment ecosystem to public mobile operator infrastructure in terms of market size by the late 2020s. By 2030, private networks could account for as much as a fourth of all mobile network infrastructure spending.

The “Private LTE & 5G Network Ecosystem: 2025 – 2030 – Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies, Industry Verticals & Forecasts” report presents an in-depth assessment of the private LTE and 5G network ecosystem, including the value chain, market drivers, barriers to uptake, enabling technologies, operational and business models, vertical industries, application scenarios, key trends, future roadmap, standardization, spectrum availability and allocation, regulatory landscape, case studies, ecosystem player profiles, and strategies. The report also presents global and regional market size forecasts from 2025 to 2030. The forecasts cover three infrastructure submarkets, two technology generations, four spectrum licensing models, 16 vertical industries, and five regional markets.

The report comes with an associated Excel datasheet suite covering quantitative data from all numeric forecasts presented in the report, as well as a database of over 8,800 global private LTE/5G engagements – as of Q4’2025. Show more