2023 Showcase

2023 Private 5G Showcase

Private Wireless (both 4G LTE and 5G) promises significant innovation and benefits across multiple industries, from mining to manufacturing to utilities. The market continues to make progress, with new use cases unlocked every day. Check out our showcase of thought leaders and learn about their efforts in making private 5G deployable, manageable, and scalable.

Courtesy of our sponsors!

Complimentary Report Download

2023 Private 5G

No personal info needed to download

Download Private Wireless Report

By downloading this report, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive new report updates

The monthly AvidThink infrastructure brief. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

Analysis by AvidThink

What the 2023 Private 5G report finds

The interviews converge on a single tension: private 5G's technical promise is running ahead of its business case. Vendors, analysts, and early adopters agree the technology works, but manageability, cost, and clear business outcomes still gate mainstream enterprise adoption heading into 2024.

  1. Business outcomes beat technology

    NTT's Parm Sandhu and Dell's Sandro Tavares argue enterprises want automation, worker safety, and productivity, not networks. NTT offers private 5G as a subscription service, starting from the desired outcome rather than the equipment.

  2. Cost and manageability still gate adoption

    Aarna Networks' Amar Kapadia names manageability, cost, and purpose as the three barriers, aiming to make private 5G as manageable as Wi-Fi. InterDigital's Milind Kulkarni and Napatech's Charlie Ashton target the CAPEX, OPEX, and energy costs of scaling.

  3. Early growth is real but small

    Dell'Oro's Stefan Pongratz reports 60% year-over-year private wireless RAN revenue growth in 2Q 2023, boosted by CBRS spectrum, yet private wireless is still only 1-2% of the RAN market. 650 Group's Chris DePuy projects a $1-2 billion market within five years.

  4. Neutral host is a leading use case

    Airspan's Glenn Laxdal and Boingo's Derek Peterson point to in-building neutral host coverage using 4G and 5G small cells, with strong interest from hospitality and education sectors alongside mission-critical private deployments.

  5. ROI can arrive fast

    Spirent's Steve Douglas says early adopters see return on investment within six months through productivity gains and cost reduction. A Spirent survey of over 200 enterprises found business outcomes and security are the primary adoption drivers.

  6. Wi-Fi and NaaS reshape the picture

    Dell'Oro's Siân Morgan reports enterprise WLAN posting three quarters of 40%+ growth, with 6 GHz and AIOps advancing. Juniper's Jeff Aaron prioritizes AIOps over private 5G and sees Network-as-a-Service shifting spend from capital to operational.

Download the full report →

Highlights from industry thought leaders

Video interviews

650 Group

Indoor versus Outdoor Private Wireless Prospects

  • 650 Group's Chris DePuy projects the private cellular market reaching $1-2 billion within five years.
  • The market is segmented into outdoor and indoor uses serving key verticals.
  • 650 Group has published multiple reports covering equipment, software, telecom core, and the public RAN market.
Abstract
Chris DePuy, Co-founder and Analyst at 650 Group, highlighted the anticipated growth of the private cellular market, projected to reach $1-2 billion in five years, serving key verticals and segmented into outdoor and indoor uses. DePuy also revealed that 650 Group has published multiple research reports on the private cellular market, including topics on equipment, software, telecom core, and the public ran market.
Aarna Networks

Private 5G Needs these 3 Things to Succeed

  • Aarna Networks CEO Amar Kapadia names manageability, cost, and purpose as the three barriers to private 5G growth.
  • Aarna is building orchestration and management to make private 5G as manageable as Wi-Fi and cost-competitive.
Abstract
Amar Kapadia, CEO of Aarna Networks, identifies manageability, cost, and purpose as the three key elements hindering the growth of private 5G networks. To address these issues, Aarna Networks is developing an orchestration and management solution for private 5G, aiming to make it as manageable as Wi-Fi, cost-competitive, and a network that connects edge computing applications to end devices.
Airspan Networks

Private Wireless Driven by Neutral Host and Smart Facilities

  • Airspan CEO Glenn Laxdal identifies two categories: in-building neutral host coverage and mission-critical private wireless.
  • He predicts significant neutral host deployments using 4G and 5G small cells, with hospitality and education interest.
Abstract
Glenn Laxdal, President and CEO of Airspan Networks, discussed the company's progress in private wireless networks, identifying two categories: in-building coverage for neutral hosts and private wireless for mission-critical applications. He predicted significant deployments in the neutral host market using 4G and 5G small cells, and highlighted the interest from the hospitality and education sectors, emphasizing that Airspan's solution can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively.
Boingo

Converging 5G and WiFi into Private Wireless

  • Boingo CTO Derek Peterson urges replacing traditional firewalls with a zero trust security approach for private wireless.
  • Working with neutral host providers like Boingo delivers a converged solution that reduces deployment costs.
Abstract
Derek Peterson, CTO of Boingo, underscored the growing significance of private wireless networks and the necessity for a unified security management approach, replacing traditional firewalls with a zero trust concept. He stressed the importance of enterprises understanding their specific use cases and collaborating with neutral host providers like Boingo, which can offer a comprehensive understanding of various technologies and provide a converged solution, thereby reducing the major deployment costs associated with private wireless networks.
Cal Poly

Cal Poly's 5G Innovation Lab - Unlocking Data Potential and Learning

  • Cal Poly CIO Bill Britton established a 5G Innovation Lab to evaluate 5G's potential for the university.
  • The lab develops a networking blueprint and helps public sector partners get comfortable with 5G technology.
Abstract
How can 5G technology revolutionize education at a Polytechnic University? William (Bill) Britton, VP IT and CIO from Cal Poly explains: - The establishment of a 5G Innovation Lab to evaluate the potential of 5G technology for the university - Developing a blueprint for the future of networking at a Cal Poly, where data is crucial for various applications - Helping public sector partners and other entities understand and get comfortable with 5G technology for their own use
Cal Poly

Private 5G is Revolutionizing Education and Increasing Student Engagement

  • Cal Poly's Miyu Nishii describes a private 5G testbed enhancing classroom experiences with new engagement models.
  • The testbed lets business students analyze large datasets quickly and makes computer science projects like chatbots more accessible.
Abstract
How can 5G technology revolutionize the educational experience for students? Miyu Nishii, Digital Innovation Project Manager (and 4th year Business Information Systems student) from Cal Poly explains how having a private 5G testbed: - Enhances classroom experiences with new engagement models - Empowers business students to analyze large amounts of data quickly and efficiently - Faciliates computer science projects, such as chatbots, to be more accessible and efficient across campus
Dell

Solving the Private 5G Equation

  • Dell's Sandro Tavares urges a holistic approach to private 5G focused on the business proposition, not just technology.
  • Dell is building an open telecom ecosystem, collaborating with partners to validate private 5G solutions.
Abstract
Sandro Tavares, Director of Telecom Systems Marketing at Dell, emphasized the need for a holistic approach to private 5G, focusing on the business proposition and benefits for end users, and not just the technology. He highlighted the importance of vendors offering a comprehensive package that includes the necessary components to deliver the desired outcome for enterprises, and mentioned Dell's efforts to create an open ecosystem for telecom solutions, collaborating with partners to build and validate solutions in areas like private 5G
Dell'Oro Group

Enterprise WLAN Market Remains Hot

  • Dell'Oro's Siân Morgan reports three straight quarters of over 40% YoY enterprise WLAN revenue growth.
  • New 6 GHz band access and AI operations are enhancing wireless LAN equipment capabilities.
  • Campus network-as-a-service is emerging to simplify Wi-Fi for enterprises.
Abstract
Siân Morgan, Research Director for the Enterprise WLAN at Dell'Oro Group, reports a significant expansion in the enterprise-class wireless LAN market, with three consecutive quarters of over 40% YoY revenue growth due to the increased importance of wireless LAN in operations during COVID-19. Despite supply constraints and rising costs, revenues remained high and are expected to return to normal growth patterns beyond 2025, with new features such as access to the 6 GHz band and AI operations enhancing the capabilities of wireless LAN equipment and the emerging trend of campus network-as-a-service simplifying Wi-Fi for enterprises.
Dell'Oro Group

When Will Private Wireless Take Off?

  • Dell'Oro's Stefan Pongratz notes CBRS spectrum accelerating private wireless from macros to small cells to enterprise.
  • Private wireless RAN revenues grew 60% year-over-year in 2Q 2023 but remain just 1-2% of the RAN market.
Abstract
Stefan Pongratz, Vice President and Analyst at Dell'Oro Group, discussed the evolution of private wireless, noting its shift from macros to small cells and now to enterprise wireless, and its accelerated growth due to the availability of the CBRS spectrum. Despite private wireless currently representing only 1-2% of the overall RAN market, Pongratz revealed a 60% year-over-year growth in private wireless RAN revenues in 2Q 2023, but cautioned that it will take time for it to become a larger market share.
Exact Ventures

Private Wireless Market Overview

  • Exact Ventures' Greg Collins provides quantitative market research on private or enterprise 5G and LTE networks.
  • Collins sees private 5G and LTE expanding revenues, with future integration into unified communications as networks mature.
Abstract
Greg Collins, founder of Exact Ventures, discussed the company's quantitative market research in wireless infrastructure markets, with a focus on private or enterprise 5G and LTE networks. Collins highlighted the potential of private 5G or LTE to expand revenues and grow the wireless services market, and the firm's work with clients on their specific use cases for core networks, including the future potential for more integration with unified communications as private networks mature.
Federated Wireless

5G Innovation Network Transforms Campus Connectivity & Research

  • Federated Wireless CTO Kurt Schaubach partnered with AWS and T-Mobile to deploy a private 5G network at Cal Poly.
  • A neutral host capability augments carrier connectivity and extends coverage to challenged campus areas.
Abstract
Wondering how to transform broadband connectivity and support 5G research on a university campus? Kurt Schaubach, CTO from Federated Wireless, explains how they collaborated with Cal Poly to achieve this goal by: - Partnering with AWS and T-Mobile to deploy and operationalize a private 5G network - Introducing a unique neutral host capability to augment carrier connectivity on campus - Expanding coverage and emergency services to previously challenged areas like Poly Canyon and inside the William and Linda Frost Center for Research and Innovation
Federated Wireless

Cal Poly's 5G with Converged 4G/5G Core & Neutral Host Infrastructure

  • Federated Wireless SVP Carl Temme explains how Cal Poly used private wireless to address coverage gaps.
  • A neutral host network hosts public cellular services, with T-Mobile providing seamless connectivity for subscribers.
Abstract
Looking for ways to improve cellular coverage in hard-to-reach areas? Carl Temme, SVP Products from Federated Wireless explains: - How Cal Poly utilized a private wireless network to address coverage gaps - The implementation of a neutral host network to host public cellular services - The partnership with T-Mobile to provide seamless connectivity for subscribers Don't miss out on this insightful discussion on innovative solutions for private cellular coverage!
HPE Aruba Networking

New Applications for Private 5G

  • HPE Aruba's Phil Mottram sees rising private wireless demand in military, ports, warehouses, factories, and mines.
  • Following its Athonet acquisition, HPE Aruba showcased a camera-based security application for threat detection.
Abstract
Phil Mottram, EVP and GM of HPE Aruba Networking, discussed the increasing demand for private wireless networks, particularly 5G and cellular networks, in sectors like military, ports, warehouses, factories, and mines that have struggled to modernize their technology. Following HPE Aruba Networking's recent acquisition of private networks specialist Athonet, Mottram underscored the significance of edge applications, showcasing a security application that uses cameras for potential threat detection.
InterDigital

CAPEX and OPEX Constraints are Limiting Private 5G

  • InterDigital's Milind Kulkarni highlights the financial challenges companies face implementing 5G networks.
  • The 3GPP's role in standardizing systems for global interconnectivity was emphasized at Mobile World Congress.
Abstract
Milind Kulkarni, VP of Engineering at InterDigital, spoke at the Mobile World Congress about the financial challenges companies face when implementing 5G networks, and emphasized InterDigital's commitment to making 5G more accessible. He also highlighted the role of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project in standardizing systems for global interconnectivity and praised the congress for fostering industry collaboration.
JMA Wireless

Private Wireless Drives Innovation

  • JMA Wireless CCO Neville Meijers advocates private wireless as a driver of industry change.
  • JMA's platform is already used by Caesars for in-building coverage, with more enhanced services expected.
Abstract
Neville Meijers, Chief Commercial Officer of JMA Wireless, advocates for the potential of private wireless to drive industry change and is currently in discussions with various industries about using JMA's unique platform for this purpose. The platform, already used by Caesars for in-building coverage and expected to be used for other enhanced services, is also being considered for future use in running a private wireless system.
Juniper

AIOps Wins

  • Juniper's Jeff Aaron says private 5G is not a roadmap priority, with AIOps automation and insights taking precedence.
  • Aaron sees growing interest in Network as a Service, shifting acquisition from capital to operational expenditure.
Abstract
Jeff Aaron, VP of Enterprise Marketing at Juniper, revealed that while private 5G has garnered interest, it is not a primary focus in their current roadmap, with the company instead prioritizing AI Ops automation and insights to improve user connections and experiences. Aaron also highlighted the growing interest in Network as a Service (NaaS), a flexible solution that transitions acquisition from a capital to an operational expenditure, and predicted its uptake beyond the commercial space.
Napatech

Maximize the Efficiency of Private 5G

  • Napatech's Charlie Ashton highlights financial challenges scaling private wireless, needing support optimization and lower energy use.
  • Offloading the data plane to a SmartNIC boosts packet core performance and reduces data-center costs and energy.
Abstract
Charlie Ashton, Senior Director of Business Development at Napatech, highlighted the financial challenges operators face when scaling up private wireless networks, emphasizing the need for user support optimization and energy consumption reduction. Napatech offers solutions that enhance packet core performance, support more subscribers, and reduce data center costs and energy consumption by offloading the data plane to a SmartNIC, partnering with packet core software vendors and server OEMs to ensure end users can utilize their technology.
neXt Curve

Is there a Monetization Path for Private 5G?

  • neXt Curve's Leonard Lee flags private 5G's heterogeneous nature and scalability issues, with limited deployments so far.
  • Lee predicts high-value use cases will present opportunities as the industry moves past its discovery phase.
Abstract
Leonard Lee, Executive Analyst at neXt Curve, highlights the challenges of private 5G, including its heterogeneous nature and scalability issues, and notes that the industry is still in a discovery process with limited deployments. Despite the difficulties, Lee predicts that there will be high-value use cases that present opportunities in the future.
NTT

Private 5G is about Business Outcomes

  • NTT's Parm Sandhu says customers want business outcomes like automation, worker safety, and productivity, not just networks.
  • NTT offers private 5G as a service on a monthly subscription, starting from the desired outcome and financials.
Abstract
Parm Sandhu, VP of Enterprise 5G Products & Services at NTT, highlighted that customers are more interested in achieving business outcomes such as automation, worker safety, and productivity, rather than just purchasing a network or edge compute. NTT has been successful in meeting these needs by starting with the desired business outcome, working out the financials, and offering private 5G as a service, which allows customers to switch to a monthly subscription model, with a focus on providing secure, robust, and reliable communication for mission-critical use cases.
Spirent

Return on Investment for Private Wireless

  • Spirent's Steve Douglas says early private wireless adopters achieve ROI within six months via productivity and cost savings.
  • A Spirent survey of over 200 enterprises found business outcomes and security are the primary 5G adoption drivers.
Abstract
Steve Douglas, Head of Market Strategy at Spirent, disclosed that early adopters of private wireless networks are experiencing a return on investment within six months due to the benefits of 5G, including increased productivity and reduced costs. A survey by Spirent involving over 200 enterprises revealed that business outcomes and security are the primary drivers for adopting 5G in private networks, with the technology unlocking value in areas like video monitoring.
We expect ongoing traction of private wireless in enterprises despite initial teething issues. Our research and engagements with tier-1 operators, enterprises, global systems integrators (GSIs), networking vendors, and hyperscalers indicate continued interest and a commitment to the technology and architecture.
Download 2023 Private 5G Report

By downloading this report, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Continue exploring

More executive showcases across next-gen infrastructure.

2025

2025 MWC Barcelona

Leading executives at MWC 2025 in Barcelona discussing AI, GenAI, AI-RAN, O-RAN, 5G-Advanced, 6G, Telco Cloud, Private 5G

30 video interviews
2026

2026 MWC Barcelona

Leading executives at MWC 2026 in Barcelona discussing AI, ML, GenAI, agentic AI, AI-RAN, O-RAN, 5G-Advanced, 6G, and plenty more AI.

12 video interviews
2026

2026 Predictions

Infrastructure tech leaders review 2025 and share 2026 predictions for AI, networking, cloud, security, datacenter, and 5G/6G.

21 video interviews
Browse all topics →