Private LTE & Private 5G — Your Own Cellular Network, Your Own Rules
Private LTE and private 5G networks deploy dedicated cellular infrastructure on your premises — providing the controlled coverage, quality of service, and security of a private network with the mobility and device density capabilities of cellular technology. They're the connectivity foundation for smart manufacturing, warehouse automation, campus mobility, and mission-critical operations.
What RLM Delivers on Private LTE / 5G Network
Public cellular networks share spectrum and infrastructure with millions of users — creating congestion, coverage gaps, and security exposure that enterprise operations can't tolerate. Private LTE/5G gives organizations dedicated spectrum (CBRS in the US, local licenses in other markets), purpose-built coverage, and the network slicing capabilities that prioritize critical applications over background traffic. RLM advises on private cellular strategy, CBRS spectrum planning, and vendor selection.
How We Approach Private LTE / 5G Network
The Private LTE / 5G Network dimensions that separate a deployment that pays back from one that quietly becomes shelfware.
Use Case & Coverage Assessment
We document the use cases driving private LTE/5G interest — device density requirements, latency-sensitive applications, security mandates, and the coverage footprint that defines network design requirements.
CBRS Spectrum Strategy
We advise on CBRS spectrum strategy — Priority Access License (PAL) vs. General Authorized Access (GAA), SAS provider selection, and the spectrum coordination that protects your network from interference in shared band deployments.
Vendor Evaluation
We evaluate private LTE/5G vendors — Celona, Ericsson Private Networks, Nokia DAC, Baicells, CommScope — against your coverage requirements, core network deployment model (on-premises vs. cloud), and the device ecosystem supported.
Integration Architecture
We design the integration architecture — connecting the private cellular network to enterprise LAN, SD-WAN, and application infrastructure — including the handoff logic for devices that roam between private and public cellular coverage.
Private LTE / 5G Network Evaluation Criteria
The Private LTE / 5G Network dimensions that separate a deployment that pays back from one that quietly becomes shelfware.
CBRS vs. Licensed Spectrum
CBRS (3.5 GHz) is the primary private LTE/5G spectrum in the US. Evaluate PAL auction strategy for interference protection vs. GAA deployment for lower cost — and whether your use case requires the priority access that PAL provides.
On-Premises vs. Cloud Core
Private 5G core networks can run on-premises (full control, no cloud dependency) or in the cloud (simpler management, lower initial cost). Evaluate the trade-offs for your security requirements and IT operations model.
Device Ecosystem Availability
Private LTE/5G requires compatible devices — not all enterprise devices support CBRS frequencies. Evaluate device availability for your use cases: handhelds, tablets, vehicle-mounted terminals, robots, and IoT sensors.
Integration with IT Infrastructure
Private cellular networks must integrate with enterprise IT — RADIUS authentication, VLAN assignment, firewall policy, and the network monitoring that treats cellular infrastructure as part of the enterprise network.
Total Cost of Ownership
Private LTE/5G infrastructure costs include spectrum, radio hardware, core network software, installation, and ongoing management. Build a multi-year TCO model before comparing against public cellular or WiFi alternatives.
"We needed private LTE across 12 distribution centers. RLM mapped the vendors, ran the RFP, and had us live in 90 days. Their knowledge of the carrier landscape is unmatched."
No upfront fees, no retainer, and no obligation to act on what we find.
Where This Matters Most
Sector-specific considerations we see repeatedly in mobility engagements.
A Sample of the Mobility Providers We Evaluate
RLM is vendor neutral. These are among 600+ providers in our evaluation set — inclusion here is not an endorsement, and we are paid by the provider you choose, not by any provider in particular. How that works →
Ready to Get Private LTE / 5G Network Right?
Talk to an RLM advisor who specializes in enterprise mobility. Vendor-neutral guidance from assessment through deployment.