Private networks: an enabler of the enterprise digital transformation

Why private networks

A private network is a mobile network exclusively dedicated to the use of an organization. It is customized to meet the specific service needs of the organization, facilitating efficient connections among people and objects.

Private networks address the limitations of older communication infrastructures, including operating costs, coverage, and throughput. Beyond mere connectivity, they play a crucial role in driving enterprise digital transformation by providing enhanced security, control, and performance.

Private networks can be standalone, hybrid (relying on both private and public connectivity) or based on a public infrastructure (5G slice). All these setups require SIM/eSIM-based authentication to manage connectivity. The SIM/eSIM safeguards network credentials and the identity of the user or device within a tamper-proof secure element.

Private networks concern almost all business areas: transport and logistics, railways, airports, seaports, energy, manufacturing, mines, health, campuses, public security, mission-critical infrastructures, public infrastructures, agriculture, construction, etc.

The stakeholders

Deploying and operating private networks require specific telecom knowledge that user organisations do not usually have. For that, they need to rely on a variety of players:

• Solution providers that focus on the infrastructure to connect the various devices, networks, and systems.
   
• Communication Service Providers in charge of providing the communication services.
   
• System integrators that source solutions from various suppliers to build and deploy private networks.

Challenges for private network providers

Beyond the infrastructure implementation choice (isolated private network, hybrid or public 5G network slice), stakeholders responsible for deploying and operating private networks face the challenge of delivering agile, reliable, and secure solutions.

• Administrators must be able to easily manage the private network, including agile provisioning and control of user access to the infrastructure. 
   
• For employees or devices, private networks must offer a seamless and secure experience from the initial connection throughout day-to-day usage, offering solutions that are simple to use and tailored to the specific roles of end users.
   
• Connectivity should be available anytime and anywhere within the service area, and sometimes beyond, with the ability to seamlessly switch between private and public networks.
   
• By design, private networks access a wide range of sensitive and critical resources, including inventory, production flows, digital twins, employees’ and customers' data, as well as all production and accounting applications. These resources require protection against malicious attacks.

Thales solutions for private networks

Private network providers need to design solutions easy to deploy and operate, matching industry standards for quality, resilience, and longevity. For that purpose, Thales brings a complete range of solutions and services to:

• Identify who can use the network: grant authorized access to the private network with a smooth and secure device activation and during the whole device life cycle for both users and connected objects. Thales solutions include eSIM as a Service (accessible from our Digital Platform), as well as eSIM Management for over-the-air updates.
   
• Connect and manage devices: contribute to providing the best connectivity for resilient network attachment regardless of the private network architecture (standalone or hybrid), the radio technology (4G LTE or 5G) and the device type. Thales solutions include Instant Connect and Adaptive Connect.
   
• Protect data: ensure all data is protected, secure applications, storage and sensitive data. Thales solutions include IoT SAFE and Trusted Key Manager (TKM) providing end-to-end security.

These solutions are designed for private 4G and 5G deployments, either fully private or hybrid.

We facilitate the identification of authorized users. We ensure the SIM connectivity continuity across private and public networks. We also protect data exchanges, irrespective of the network utilized.