A Private Cellular Network (PCN) is a dedicated wireless communication network designed specifically for a particular business, organization, or use case.
Unlike public cellular networks operated by telecom companies like Verizon or AT&T, PCNs are tailored for use by a defined group. This allows businesses to create a custom network that can deliver speeds, coverage, and bandwidth that wasn’t available before.
Businesses are quickly realizing the benefits of deploying a PCN. In this blog, we will outline some of the most common uses for PCNs and guide you on how you can deploy them within your own organization.
Controlled Coverage Using PCNs
Private Cellular Networks are specifically designed to provide wireless coverage in targeted areas such as the operating room of a hospital or the factory floor of a car manufacturing plant. This focused coverage ensures that organizations have robust and reliable connectivity exactly where it’s needed.
The ability to provide pinpoint connectivity also means businesses no longer have to keep adding endpoints until every device is covered, as the precision networking capabilities provided by PCNs greatly improve the efficiency of existing endpoints and can reduce the number of new endpoints that need to be added to a network.
Enhancing Security
Unlike public cellular networks, a Private Cellular Network is exclusively used by a predetermined group, allowing for the configuration of advanced security protocols like end-to-end encryption or network access control on the device and/or user level.
This heightened security is crucial for protecting sensitive data such as company performance or patient healthcare records and offers peace of mind that the network is protected against the most dangerous digital threats, including zero-day attacks thanks to our use of Ericom software.
Using a Private Cellular Network for Dedicated Bandwidth
Have you ever been to an event like a concert or sporting event and not been able to use your smartphone? The likely cause of your internet issues was that there wasn’t enough bandwidth to support the large number of connections in your area.
A significant advantage of PCNs is the ability to provision dedicated bandwidth. This ensures that organizations don’t have to share network resources (bandwidth) with external users, leading to more reliable and consistent performance.
Especially in scenarios where network demand is high or where critical operations rely on uninterrupted connectivity, having dedicated bandwidth means that operations can run smoothly without being interrupted by public network traffic.
Combining PCNs & IoT 4.0 Devices
Private Cellular Networks play a pivotal role in enabling IoT applications and driving forward next-gen concepts like smart cities. These networks offer a secure and reliable way to connect hundreds of devices, sensors, and endpoints, which are often essential in the manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and other industries that commonly leverage IoT.
