Private 5G Networks

: Multi-connectivity Driven Aggregation for Services, Deployment and Management

Abstract

The potential of Fifth Generation (5G) wireless networks to revolutionise the telecommunications industry with higher data rates, lower latency, and increased network capacity is widely recognised. However, the rollout of 5G has exposed infrastructure challenges that have persisted since previous generations of wireless networks. This has resulted in an ad hoc and unique integration of 4G and 5G technologies, paving the way for the emergence of a non-standalone 5G network (NSA).

As this integration unfolds, several studies agree that the transformative capabilities of 5G technology are particularly well-suited to meet the demanding KPI requirements of various enterprise applications and use cases, surpassing those of individual mobile subscribers. Emerging enterprise applications such as industrial automation, smart cities, the Internet of Things (IoT), and high-definition video streaming often require the ultra-reliable low latency and massive connectivity that 5G offers.

Yet, among the technical barriers to 5G implementation are the challenges many enterprises face in utilising 5G services from traditional public network operators. These challenges include inadequate network coverage, security concerns, and limited control over network customisation for their solutions.
Another challenge for enterprises is the concern that public operators have struggled in recent years with dwindling returns on investment. Although wireless networks have experienced exponential growth, this has not translated into a corresponding increase in profitability. This issue is particularly relevant for enterprise networks, as the techno-economic aspects of private 5G networks remain largely unexplored. Furthermore, while business models are evolving, they often fail to keep pace with rapid technological innovations. As a result, enterprises frequently do not fully leverage the benefits of new technologies from the outset.

Despite these challenges, the implementation of 5G technology can be optimised to drive deployment and increase adoption. This thesis proposes a different approach to 5G implementation, focusing on private networks that cater specifically to the networking needs of enterprises instead of traditional mobile subscribers.
To address these challenges, the proposed roadmap for private 5G networks employs multi-connectivity aggregation — using 5G, WiFi-6, and LiFi technologies — to enhance network performance. This approach is specifically tailored to meet the diverse KPI requirements of various enterprise use cases, particularly in uplink traffic. Experimental results provide insights into the behaviour of these different access technologies and deployment strategies, demonstrating their effectiveness in supporting high data rates and link reliability to meet application requirements.

In response to the economic barriers, this study conducts a techno-economic analysis, which evaluates both technical performance and economic feasibility, to identify strategies for implementing private 5G networks. This analysis connects network performance metrics with cost considerations, ultimately leading to cost savings in the deployment of private 5G networks.

Date of Award	1 Oct 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Shuangyi Yan (Supervisor) & Dimitra Simeonidou (Supervisor)