HPE’s private 5G is one of the 10 Coolest Networking Products of 2024 (so far)

[Gayle_Levin]

In the heat of the summer, it’s good to be “cool.” CRN has recognized HPE Aruba Networking as one of the 10 Coolest Networking Products for 2024. Why? In a word “simplicity.”

“HPE Aruba Networking Enterprise private 5G is aimed at simplifying much of the complexity that comes with private 5G adoption and making it as easy to manage as Wi-Fi by using lightly licensed spectrum and providing the dashboard, radio management, spectrum access system, and SIM cards that might otherwise require working with up to seven different vendors.”

Removing private 5G complexity

Despite the excitement around private 5G, enterprise adoption has not been as steep a curve as expected. Why? Private cellular is relatively complex to deploy, with up to seven different providers for management, core software, underlying hardware, radios, carrier spectrum, and SIM/eSIMs functions. And these components need to be assembled and integrated, leading to higher costs and longer time to value.

As of late, we’ve seen three major changes that are transforming the way that enterprises adopt private 5G:

1. Availability of lightly licensed spectrum. Regulators in the U.S. have made Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) available for use in the 3.55-3.7 GHz band (B48/n78) and new Spectrum Access Systems are available to protect incumbents in the band (such as the military). Other lightly licensed models are gaining approvals in Europe and Asia that can operate using band n77 or n79, which means that carrier agreements are no longer required in these markets. This trend towards homologation is driving exciting new private 5G go to market models that can be standardized and rolled out on a larger scale.
2. Enterprise architectures. Early deployments were based on carrier frameworks that, while powerful, introduced more complexity than enterprises could easily consume. Newer architectures are optimized for enterprises with all-in-one solutions and intuitive wizards that accelerate deployment. In the future, we’ll see management coming together across wired, Wi-Fi, private 5G, and SD-WAN environments for shared resources such as identity and policy.
3. IT operator centric. Modern solutions are designed to be managed by IT teams, requiring much less cellular expertise. Since no deep 3GPP knowledge is required, the typical network manager can take on private cellular responsibilities, managing it in a similar way to the way that she currently oversees Wi-Fi.

The new private 5G principles aim to increase enterprise adoption through the use of lightly-licensed spectrum and enterprise simplicity – with no need for deep cellular knowledge.

Introducing HPE Aruba Networking private 5G

HPE Aruba Networking is unique in that we deliver both Wi-Fi and private 5G to meet enterprise wireless needs. Our new all-in-one offering covers everything—from the SIM/eSIM cards to our combination 4G/5G mobile core based on industry-leading Athonet technology—and is pre-configured to make it easier (and faster) to purchase, deploy, and manage. There’s a single point of contact for support, which streamlines issue resolution and eliminates finger pointing.

Unlike other offerings, HPE Aruba Networking Enterprise private 5G is an end-to-end solution that includes everything needed to deploy a cellular network and can be managed in a similar manner as Wi-Fi. 

When to consider private 5G

The discussion has shifted from private 5G vs Wi-Fi to private 5G and Wi-Fi. Private 5G augments Wi-Fi deployments to deliver seamless wireless for challenging use cases. Wi-Fi, especially the latest release Wi-Fi 7, is well suited for high density indoor coverage and can be used for hybrid work and outdoor coverage as well. Private 5G leverages some unique capabilities of 3GPP, the cellular standard, to meet some complex use cases.

Here are just a few examples where private 5G is well-suited to augment Wi-Fi:

• Wider area coverage, especially outdoors and in large warehouses
• High‑speed mobility without any loss of connectivity in order to avoid costly work stoppages for robotics, autonomous vehicles, and transportation operations
• Additional clean spectrum for segmentation of mission‑critical traffic such as optical ticket scanners at a crowded stadium
• Areas with RF complexity due to non-conforming materials such as manufacturing shop floors

Stay cool and learn more about private 5G and how HPE Aruba Networking is making it simpler to connect in our Getting Started Guide for Enterprises.