Private Network vs. Public Cellular Network: Which Should I Choose?
Learn how both private and public cellular networks function, alongside the differences between each that will impact which choice is best for your facility.
Learn the Major Differences Between Installing a Private Cellular Network and Buying Public Cellular from MNOs
From iPads in environments including manufacturing, hospitality, & healthcare to push to talk radios & wireless inventory scanners, cellular access powers diverse technology for businesses. As coverage needs continue to grow and technology increasingly relies on cellular connectivity, organizations need to understand how this technology works and what they need to do to leverage it.
One key distinction to know is the difference between public cellular networks and private cellular networks. When dictating cellular access, businesses can decide to buy data from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to get cellular coverage or can set up a private network. Which option is best for any given environment depends on the specific use cases and needs within that environment — ultimately coming down to pairing the right technology to the right use cases. Read on to learn how each network functions, alongside the differences between each that will impact which choice is best for your use case.
Public Networks vs Private Networks: Which are Better?
Key Differences Between Public and Private Cellular Networks
- Differences in Set-Up
- Differences in Cost
- Differences in Coverage
- Differences in Security & Privacy
- Differences in Latency & Performance
- Differences in Maintenance
What are Cellular Networks?
Cellular networks are communication systems that enable wireless communication between mobile devices. Also known as mobile networks, cellular networks transmit cellular data to enabled devices using radio waves. These waves originate through fixed location transceivers known as cellular towers, distributed to more disparate cells leveraging different frequencies to avoid interference. Most cellular networks can fall into two separate categories: public cellular networks and private cellular networks.
What is a Public Cellular Network?
Public cellular networks are cellular networks for commercial service offered by mobile network operators (MNOs) to the general public using existing cellular infrastructure. It is by far the most common form of cellular access; when a person makes a call or checks their phone under normal circumstances, they’re using public cellular.
These public networks are made available to consumers via subscription plans, with cell providers dictating service coverage areas and access availability. In turn, due to their general nature, public cellular networks are optimized to handle a high number of devices at the same time. Organizations may also buy data from an MNO themselves, supplying connectivity specifically for their business operations.
What is a Private Cellular Network?
Private cellular networks refer to networks that provide personalized cellular access configured outside of the public cellular network. These networks are configured by companies — such as Cox Private Networks — for specific purposes, limiting access to smaller groups of users in specialized environments. Unlike public cellular networks, private cellular networks are designed to provide concentrated service to niche user groups using dedicated infrastructure. This infrastructure leads to reliable LTE/5G cellular connectivity, equipping businesses with the benefits of cellular while allowing them to maintain control of equipment and network characteristics.
Public Networks vs. Private Networks: Which are Better?
The short answer is that public cellular networks and private cellular networks are each better than the other for specific consumers and use cases. As with almost any form of technology, both public cellular networks and private cellular networks have specific use cases that they were designed for and work best in. When deciding which works best for your organization's needs, you need to consider the specific strengths and weaknesses of each, and how that lines up with the needs of your organization.
Key Differences Between Public and Private Cellular Networks
While each type of network provides the same basic type of connection, there are vast differences between public cellular networks and private cellular networks. Here are the considerations organizations need to think about before committing to using one solution or the other for cellular access.
Differences in Set-Up
For consumers, private cellular networks require more set-up than public cellular networks. In fact, for most use cases, public cellular requires limited setup (i.e. purchasing data and connecting technology). For the majority of cases, organizations leveraging public cellular simply need to pay for a device to connect to cellular, and then access connectivity via that device as needed.
Meanwhile, private cellular networks do require substantial installation. There are several steps to getting a private cellular network up and running — including design, procuring equipment, solution deployment, and network configuration. Actual installation timelines will vary depending on the scope of a project.
Differences in Cost
Cost differences between public and private cellular networks tie directly to how users pay for either type of network. Users of public cellular have to pay a flat fee per device per month for their access plan. Meanwhile, fees associated with private cellular networks that don’t come along with public cellular networks include purchasing necessary tools (including hardware, software, and spectrum), along with expenses for network design, installation, and maintenance. Additionally, many providers – including Cox Private Networks — offer flexible pricing with heavy capex or opex models, depending on customer needs.
Differences in Coverage
The extended set-up and additional costs of private cellular networks result in the more reliable, customizable coverage they provide compared to public cellular networks. Public networks are maintained, created, and regulated for general public use; coverage is meant to reach and support as general an audience as possible, and may fail to reach specific buildings and more isolated outdoor spaces. Businesses that use public cellular are reliant on factors out of their control that may negatively impact coverage, such as how far away the closest cellular tower is.
Because they are designed, installed, and maintained both by and for private entities, private cellular networks offer specialized, pinpoint coverage for mission-critical use cases. This connectivity includes dedicated, reliable coverage for facilities requiring both indoor & outdoor coverage and hard-to-reach, reflective environments.
Differences in Security & Privacy
Inherently, private networks are more secure than public networks. While public networks offer service to any user subscribed to a provider, private cellular networks only deliver connections to specific, isolated audiences in sequestered locations. In turn, the chances of data breaches, cyberattacks, and hackers gaining access to a private network are far smaller.
Additionally, for private networks, organizations have total control over security protocols. By partnering with a collaborative designer of private networks such as Cox Private Networks, consumers can leverage security technology necessary for their unique cellular use case.
Differences in Latency & Performance
Because they exist for dedicated use cases, private cellular networks typically offer lower latency and greater performance than public cellular networks. Within public cellular networks, businesses have no control over network capacity or how many people are accessing the network at once — leading to potential issues with coverage and signal strength. Meanwhile, only qualified users within a specific area can access private cellular connectivity. With fewer users and a more focused purpose for the network, private cellular can outperform public cellular for latency & performance.
In fact, many organizations opt to install private networks directly because public networks don’t offer the connectivity they need. Whether due to geographic obstructions or building construction materials, public cellular signals do not always reach certain places that require connectivity. Private cellular networks can be designed to alleviate these issues.
Differences in Maintenance
When leveraging a public cellular network, consumers have no say in network maintenance. Public network providers may communicate shortages to consumers before they occur, but will often run on their own schedules fully independent of the needs of your organization. In turn, organizations leveraging public cellular need to keep a steadfast eye on how and when their providers plan maintenance.
Private cellular networks give organizations full control over when and how their networks receive maintenance. When working with an end-to-end provider of private cellular networks, the same company that built your network will be responsible for maintenance. These providers monitor network performance on their end; often, they may notice an issue before the consumer. Regardless of who signals an issue, organizations and providers can collaborate on when & how an issue is fixed.
How Does Cox Private Networks Provide Private Cellular Coverage?
Cox Private Networks is your technology partner to guide informed decisions on the connectivity your organization needs and make network technology accessible for your teams. At Cox Private Networks, we’ve worked with organizations across industries and consulted directly with customers to discover which type of connectivity best fits their needs. As an end-to-end provider, our team works with you through every stage of the process, from design through installation & maintenance. Want to learn more? Contact us today via our online form.
