Solution providers should keep an eye on these players in the private networking space that are making a name for themselves in private 5G, LTE and edge networking, especially as demand for AI use cases takes off.
The private networking market, which refers to the industry formed around a secure, isolated wireless network or private LTE and 5G cellular infrastructure, is expected to experience significant growth, with a projected compound annual growth rate of around 21 percent and reaching a market size of $5.2 billion by 2027, according to research firm IDC. The growth, IDC said, highlights the rapid adoption of private cellular networks across various industries, particularly driven by 5G technology.
And when discussing private networking, AI can’t be left out of the conversation. AI use cases, which are cropping up in nearly every industry, are one of the biggest drivers of the private networking discussion as businesses of all sizes look to securely roll out AI across their environments, including the edge of the network or in previously hard to reach locations.
Here are a handful of players in this space that are making a name for themselves in the private networking arena that are worth keeping an eye on in 2025.
Celona
Celona burst on to the networking scene in 2020 with a platform that lets enterprises build and deploy 5G/4G LTE private networks, which filled a major gap in the wireless connectivity market at the time. Now, it’s starting to catch on as channel partners and enterprises are experiencing the value of 5G and private networking firsthand, especially as new use cases and applications at the edge of the network pop up.
In fact, the company, which considers itself a pioneer in private 5G, believes that it’s time for enterprises to rethink their networks and applications in the age of AI. With that in mind, Celona in 2024 launched a suite of security features and integrations for industrial enterprises.
Cupertino, Calif.-based Celona goes to market via a strategic partnership with HPE Aruba Networking for the reselling of Celona’s cellular products. The company in 2022 launched its solution provider partner program on the heels of bringing on its first channel chief and closing its most recent, and oversubscribed, $60 million Series C funding round.
Ericsson Wireless Solutions
Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions, which now includes Cradlepoint after acquiring the company in 2020, is focused on building seamless networks, integrated security with private networking and wireless WAN offerings.
Ericsson Private Networks gives businesses a broad portfolio of private 4G and 5G network offerings that can be used across a variety of businesses, industries, communities and governments. The company’s Cradlepoint portfolio of cloud-enabled offerings provides secure and reliable connectivity to business customers of all sizes, according to the firm.
These days, Ericsson is focused on building AI into the network. AI requires data, and to get that data to the edge, good connectivity is king, the company told CRN in a recent interview.
KORE Wireless
KORE Wireless Group specializes in IoT and lowering IoT operational costs for businesses. As private networking began to gain popularity, the company began offering private 5G and LTE networking solutions using multiple wireless technologies to help businesses of all sizes achieve a more secure, reliable, and faster network.
Today, KORE offers private networking solutions that are built for the customer. These offerings can include Low Power Wide Area to 5G high speeds, according to the Atlanta-based company. KORE is targeting a variety of customer bases and use cases with its private networking offerings, including critical industries, like healthcare, and industrial use cases.
NTT Data
While not a vendor, solution provider giant NTT Data made the cut as one of the private networking players to watch thanks to its Private 5G offering for manufacturing, automotive, transportation, and energy and utilities organizations. The company said that its private 5G network was designed for reliable, high-bandwidth and ultralow-latency connectivity for critical infrastructure. Moreover, the solution provider remains true to its name as it delivers every aspect of the offering, including network equipment, design, build and deployment and managed network service operations.
The Private 5G offering can be designed by NTT for each business’ specific use cases, business outcomes and transformation goals and can be served u via flexible commercial models and through a full network-as-a-service solution, NTT Data, with U.S. headquarters in Plano, Texas, said.
Semtech Sierra Wireless
Semtech, which bought Sierra Wireless in 2022, offers a private 5G and LTE offering for businesses searching for a level of security and reliability that isn’t provided by public cellular networks or Wi-Fi.
Partner-friendly Semtech more than two years ago bought Sierra Wireless in a $1.2 billion deal to bring together two important technologies for the future of the Internet of Things (IoT)—Long Range Radio (LoRa) wireless and cellular. Today, the joined company is offering purpose-built private networking that can be used in a variety of harsh environments, such as mines, power grids, or manufacturing facilities where failure is not an option, the Camarillo, Calif.-based company said.
