Private 5G is a cellular network — using the same 5G NR (New Radio) standards as public mobile networks — deployed on infrastructure owned or controlled by a single organization for its own operational use. It is not shared with other users, not subject to public network congestion, and not dependent on a carrier's coverage decisions. This page explains how it works, how it differs from public 5G and WiFi, and why industrial and enterprise organizations deploy it.
Technical definition: A private 5G network (also called a Non-Public Network or NPN, as defined in 3GPP Release 16) is a 5G NR radio access network combined with a 5G Core (5GC) that provides wireless connectivity to a defined set of devices within a specific geographic area, operated independently of public mobile network operators. The network owner controls spectrum access, device authentication, QoS policies, security boundaries, and data routing.
A private 5G network has the same fundamental architecture as a public 5G network — but every component is under the operator's control rather than a carrier's. There are three main layers:
gNBs (5G base stations) transmit and receive wireless signals to/from devices. Can be indoor small cells, outdoor macro units, or distributed antenna systems. Uses licensed or shared spectrum in designated frequency bands.
The software brain of the network. Handles device authentication (via SIM/eSIM), session management, data routing, QoS enforcement, and network slicing. Runs on standard server hardware on-premises or at the edge.
Connects the RAN to the core and the core to enterprise systems. Typically fibre between radio units and the core server. Backhaul to the internet or enterprise WAN is optional — many OT deployments run fully local.
Every device connecting to the private 5G network requires a SIM or eSIM configured with the network's PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) identity — a unique numeric identifier that distinguishes your private network from all public networks. Devices not provisioned with the correct SIM cannot connect, regardless of their 5G capability.
Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G uses a 5G NR radio but relies on an LTE core for control plane functions. It provides higher throughput than LTE but does not support network slicing, URLLC, or the full 5G Core architecture. Standalone (SA) 5G uses both 5G NR radio and a full 5G Core — this is the architecture required for industrial automation, URLLC, and slicing. For private network deployments, SA is almost always the correct target architecture.
The three wireless technologies each have different characteristics that make them suited to different applications. Private 5G occupies a specific position: it provides the performance guarantees and coverage characteristics of cellular, with the control and security of on-premises infrastructure.
Private 5G is built on 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standards — the same standards body that defines public 4G/LTE and 5G. The relevant releases for private networks are:
| 3GPP Release | Year | Key Private Network Features Introduced |
|---|---|---|
| Release 15 | 2018 | 5G NR baseline, 5G Core service-based architecture, network slicing foundation, eMBB |
| Release 16 | 2020 | Non-Public Networks (NPN) formally defined, URLLC enhancements, TSN integration, NR Positioning, MCPTT over 5G |
| Release 17 | 2022 | NPN enhancements (SNPN/PNI-NPN), UAV (drone) support, RedCap (reduced capability IoT), sidelink for device-to-device |
| Release 18 | 2024 | 5G Advanced: AI/ML integration, energy efficiency, enhanced positioning, XR (extended reality) support |
Most private 5G deployments today target Release 16 or 17 feature sets. Release 16 is the minimum for Standalone operation with full slicing and URLLC support.
3GPP Release 16 defines two formal categories of Non-Public Networks, which determine how the private network relates to public network infrastructure:
Standalone Non-Public Network. Operates entirely independently — own spectrum, own core, own authentication. Devices on the SNPN cannot roam onto public networks and vice versa. Maximum isolation and control. Used for critical OT environments where zero dependency on carrier infrastructure is required.
Public Network Integrated NPN. Private network hosted within or leveraging a public network's infrastructure. The private network uses carrier spectrum and may integrate with the carrier's core. Devices can be provisioned to access both private and public coverage. Used where carrier partnership provides spectrum access.
Many real-world deployments blend elements: private RAN with a local 5G core on-premises, carrier spectrum leased under a PNI-NPN arrangement. The device authentication and data routing remain local, with carrier spectrum access providing the licensing framework.
Private 5G is not a consumer technology. The organizations deploying it share common operational characteristics: large physical sites, mission-critical wireless requirements, high device density, security isolation mandates, or a combination of these.
| Sector | Primary Driver | Key Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Mining | Remote equipment operation, worker safety, underground coverage | Tele-operated haul trucks, RTLS, SCADA |
| Utilities | OT isolation, SCADA modernization, field mobility | Substation automation, IEC 61850, field workforce |
| Manufacturing | Automation, AMRs, predictive maintenance | Autonomous robots, IIoT sensors, AR maintenance |
| Ports & Logistics | AGV automation, container tracking, yard operations | Automated cranes, AGVs, OCR systems |
| Transportation / Rail | FRMCS replacement, CBTC, passenger connectivity | Train control, trackside communications |
| Government / Defence | Security isolation, sovereign communications | Base connectivity, emergency response, remote sites |
| Enterprise / Campus | IoT density, OT/IT convergence, mobile workforce | Large campus connectivity, connected devices |
In Canada, spectrum is regulated by ISED (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada). Unlike the United States, which has the CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) framework enabling enterprises to access 3.5GHz spectrum for private networks without carrier involvement, Canada does not have a direct equivalent as of 2026.
Canadian private 5G deployments typically access spectrum through one of three pathways:
ISED has been actively consulting on enterprise spectrum access frameworks. Organizations planning private 5G deployments with a 3–5 year horizon should monitor the Radiocommunication Act consultation process, as new enterprise-friendly access mechanisms are expected to emerge.
Technical reference pages across the Private5G.ca library.
A site assessment maps your operational requirements to a realistic private 5G architecture — spectrum, coverage, use cases, and cost.