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Private 5G networks for businesses
Speak to an expert about ultra-low latency and security
Speak to our enterprise connectivity experts…
- Compare the latest 5G private networks
- Find flexible private 5G deployment options
- Protect your business from rising connectivity costs
What is a private 5G network?
A 5G private network is a high-performance wireless system built for large commercial sites, delivering exceptional speed, rock-solid security, and seamless coverage.
Using a dedicated spectrum, it guarantees bandwidth to connect devices, sensors, and machines reliably across wide areas.
It can operate as a complete wireless internet solution or work alongside existing WiFi to boost performance and capacity.
Why use us for 5G private networks
Our experts make it simple to choose and implement the right 5G private network for your business. From initial advice to installation, we ensure your network delivers the speed, security, and reliability you need.
Experts you can trust
Our enterprise connectivity experts have extensive experience designing and deploying 5G private networks for complex commercial environments.
Tailored to your business
We match your requirements with the best 5G private network options, ensuring your solution is optimised for performance, coverage, and security.
End-to-end support
From planning and setup to ongoing optimisation, we provide complete support so your 5G private network delivers consistent results.
The key benefits of a 5G private network
These six key benefits explain why 5G private networks are increasingly being adopted in factories, warehouses, hospitals, airports, and stadiums across the UK.
High performance
Private 5G networks do not suffer from contention (where numerous internet users slow down broadband speeds), guaranteeing reliable high speeds and low latency across a large network area.
Find out more in our complete guide to business broadband contention.
Network encryption
Unlike some WiFi networks, private 5G networks are always encrypted, creating a secure environment for data transmission. Only authorised SIM cards can access the network, which mitigates cybersecurity threats such as malware attacks.
💡 Encryption encodes data exchanged on the 5G network, ensuring that it cannot be read by individuals outside the network.
Coverage
A private 5G network offers an extensive range, with even basic 5G access points providing five times the range compared to a WiFi router.
5G private networks require significantly less cabling, function both indoors and outdoors, and suffer no blind spots due to physical obstructions.
Find out more in our guide to business broadband coverage.
Mobility
Devices that move, including laptops and autonomous robots, seamlessly hand over connections between 5G access points across an entire site.
This means that devices do not experience a loss in connectivity, which is often encountered when switching between WiFi routers without a mesh network.
Enabling the IoT revolution
A 5G private network provides the speed, coverage, and reliability required by IoT devices and mobile autonomous robots.
These devices are swiftly revolutionising the logistics and manufacturing industries.
Augmented reality
In the future, augmented reality, where smart glasses provide a digital overlay to our vision, is expected to have many industrial applications.
Although currently niche, these devices will require the low latency and extensive range connections provided by a 5G private network.
Private 5G network costs and pricing
Setting up a private 5G network for a large site is a major investment. Yet full coverage often needs five times more WiFi routers than 5G access points, making costs similar to fibre with a WiFi mesh.
The number of 5G access points and associated equipment increases with the overall size and layout of your property. Larger or more complex sites require more hardware, cabling, and configuration work, which naturally increases the total project cost.
Type of mobile internet
If you want the scale and reliability of a 5G private network at a lower price point, a 4G LTE private network can deliver similar coverage with slower speeds. This is often chosen by businesses with less intensive data needs or tighter budgets.
Existing LAN infrastructure
If your site already has local area network equipment installed, this can be integrated into the design of your 5G private network. Leveraging existing infrastructure helps to lower installation costs, minimise downtime, and speed up overall deployment.
5G spectrum availability
The cost of securing dedicated spectrum will depend on availability in your area and the rates set by mobile internet providers. Limited availability can push prices higher, so spectrum costs should always be factored into early project planning.
Private 5G network providers
Choosing the right provider is key to unlocking the full potential of a private 5G network. Below are some of the best business broadband providers offering private 5G solutions, each with unique strengths to match different business needs.
Vodafone
Vodafone delivers enterprise-grade Mobile Private Networks (MPNs), using dedicated spectrum for secure, ultra-low-latency connectivity. They have real-world deployments across manufacturing, logistics, and utilities.
Best for businesses looking for a proven global player with strong UK infrastructure.
Virgin Media O2 Business
Virgin Media O2 Business provides portable and fixed private 5G solutions tailored for UK enterprises, supporting IoT and mission-critical operations across transport, retail, and manufacturing sectors.
Best for companies integrating private 5G with existing broadband and mobile services.
BT Business
BT Business, in partnership with Ericsson, offers full 5G private network deployments using dedicated spectrum. They’ve delivered for complex sites like the Port of Tyne and sectors such as logistics and smart ports, and they supplement them with 5G SA slicing when needed.
Best for businesses seeking a trusted UK operator capable of end-to-end, scalable private 5G solutions.
How to deploy a 5G private network
Our enterprise network specialists can guide you through every stage of rolling out a 5G private network. Here’s the six-step process for deploying one at a commercial site in the UK.
1. Initial consultation and site survey
Start by engaging a 5G network specialist to assess your requirements. This includes evaluating your site layout, the number of devices, application needs, and any existing infrastructure. A physical survey helps identify the optimal placement for 5G access points.
2. Network design and budgeting
Using the survey results, your provider will create a detailed design covering coverage zones, hardware specifications, business broadband redundancy, and security requirements. This is also the stage to set a full budget for your private 5G deployment.
3. Selecting a 5G provider
As of February 2025, four spectrum providers operate in the UK: EE, Vodafone, Three, and Virgin Media O2 Business. Choose a provider with available dedicated spectrum in your location to ensure your network has the capacity it needs.
4. Installing 5G access points
5G cellular access points are mounted on walls, ceilings, or dedicated masts to deliver coverage. Larger sites may require mast installations for extended range. For temporary needs, mobile 5G masts can be deployed.
5. Configuring the 5G network
Network managers set performance thresholds for speed and latency, apply security protocols, and integrate with the provider’s platform. This allows for ongoing optimisation and device management.
6. Connecting devices
Devices are onboarded using eSIMs or physical SIM cards. A private 5G network can connect laptops, tablets, smartphones, and a growing range of IoT devices. Always check compatibility before deployment.
Alternatives to a 5G Private Network
Large British businesses comparing business broadband options need to understand all the connection possibilities available to them.
Our experts have outlined the alternatives for wireless internet across a large commercial site, comparing their performance to that of a 5G private network:
Public 5G networks
In small business broadband, public 5G networks in the UK’s major cities now provide one of the cheapest fast broadband with their mobile business broadband services.
However, there are three key reasons why a private 5G network is a superior option for a large business:
- Contention: Public 5G networks are prone to connectivity problems when there are too many users on the network.
- Cybersecurity: Public 5G networks are not encrypted like private networks, so they do not provide the same business broadband cybersecurity advantages.
- Range and Speed: The range and speed of public 5G networks depend on the locations of existing 5G infrastructure. In a private 5G network, these can be optimised at the design stage.
Leased line WiFi
Leased line broadband connections can provide large commercial sites with broadband bandwidth of up to 10 Gbps.
Large sites can then use a series of business broadband routers to provide wireless connections throughout the site.
A leased line connection with a modern router will provide faster wireless business broadband speed but over a much shorter range compared to a 5G private network.
At a large commercial site, such as an airport, the number of routers and the cables required for universal coverage can make a 5G private network a better option.
Satellite broadband
Satellite business broadband already offers complete wireless coverage to the British Isles.
Some large commercial sites could utilise satellite broadband dishes on vehicles to provide wireless connections across a large area with minimal upfront costs.
The main issue with a satellite business broadband connection is the long latency, as data must travel to and from space. A private 5G network offers significantly better performance.
Other considerations for 5G private networks
Our enterprise broadband experts present the following key considerations when appraising a 5G private network for your business:
5G private network scalability
A 5G network has two aspects that make it scalable as the wireless internet requirements of a site change.
Firstly, a 5G private network can support many hundreds of devices, so adding more users shouldn’t be an issue.
Additionally, more access points can be added, or existing 5G access points can be moved to extend the coverage or meet the speed requirements of a 5G private network.
Find out more in our guide to business broadband scalability.
Device compatibility
Modern laptops and other devices easily connect with WiFi routers by simply requiring a password. Unfortunately, quickly connecting to a 5G private network can be less straightforward.
Connecting a device to a 5G private network requires a network administrator to issue an eSIM or a physical SIM card. While this is excellent for cybersecurity, it makes connecting new users more burdensome.
While IoT devices are typically compatible with SIM cards, this is not the case for laptops. Some laptops do not have eSIM functionality or a SIM card slot, making it problematic to provide wireless internet to infrequent visitors to your site.
5G private networks – FAQs
Our experts answer your most commonly asked questions.
What are the main 5G private network contract models?
Private 5G contracts typically follow one of three models:
- As-a-service leasing: the provider supplies hardware and includes maintenance and carrier fees in a monthly cost.
- Wholly owned: the business buys and manages all hardware and contracts directly with a carrier.
- Hybrid: a mix of owned or leased hardware with a cloud-hosted network.
What is the difference between public 5G and private 5G?
Public 5G is delivered by mobile network operators and shared by many users, while private 5G is a dedicated network built for one organisation. This means private 5G offers guaranteed performance, greater security, and tailored coverage.
Is private 5G better than Wi-Fi?
For large sites or mission-critical operations, private 5G offers lower latency, higher capacity, and stronger security than standard Wi-Fi. However, Wi-Fi remains a cost-effective option for smaller, less demanding environments.
How long does it take to deploy a private 5G network?
Deployment times vary depending on site size and complexity, but most commercial private 5G projects take from a few weeks to several months, including site surveys, design, installation, and configuration.
Can small businesses use a private 5G network?
Yes, but 5G private network business broadband prices are likely to be prohibitive for most small businesses.
Smaller companies often opt for alternatives like 4G LTE private networks or advanced business broadband solutions.
What are the security benefits of private 5G networks?
Private 5G networks use dedicated spectrum and infrastructure, reducing exposure to external threats. They also allow full control over encryption, access permissions, and data routing, which enhances protection against cyberattacks.