The evolution of private 5G in Mexico
An opportunity for business digital transformation.
In the dynamic environment of telecommunications networks, private 5G is gaining ground as an innovative and strategic solution for businesses. Unlike public 5G networks, which are available to all users, private 5G networks belong to individual companies, offer restricted access and are designed for highly specialized and customized applications. This technology is set to revolutionize key sectors by providing ultra-reliable, low-latency communications, with private connectivity as its main input.
One of the first sectors to deploy private 5G networks was the mining sector, with the aim of protecting life and improving safety. However, private 5G has many more potential applications, from factories and logistics centers to hospitals and other environments that require the reliability, security and speed of a cable connection together with portability.
Private 5G: beyond Wi-Fi
It is important to note that a private 5G network is a cellular network, not Wi-Fi. This means that devices within the coverage area of the private 5G network automatically receive private network services, enabling continuous and secure connectivity without the user having to make additional configurations. This characteristic is crucial for industrial applications where reliability and low latency are essential. As it is a cellular network, security is a key factor. Therefore, authentication is not based on passwords; for a user or device to have service they must have a SIM card authorized by the private 5G core.
Ikusi’s vision
At Ikusi, we are exploring how to work with 5G for the private sector. More and more companies are approaching us to ask about our solutions and to find out how they can benefit from this technology. The Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) is the regulator that oversees the deployment of 5G in Mexico. For over two years, Ikusi has been actively involved with the committee created specifically for this purpose, contributing to spectrum tables, infrastructure, use cases, regulation, cybersecurity and testing. Our main focus has been on use cases and testing but, recently, we have also been involved in discussions about the radio spectrum.
The importance of the spectrum
Frequency bands are a critical aspect for the deployment of private 5G. There are currently no frequency bands assigned exclusively to 5G in Mexico, so it is necessary to request frequency bands for secondary use. This is a challenge we are actively addressing with the Radio Spectrum Committee.
Expansion and collaboration
Ikusi’s aim is to cover the entire wireless area, including Wi-Fi, 4G and 5G. To put together a private 5G proposal for Mexican industry, Ikusi has partnered with the manufacturer Ericsson, who developed Private 5G. This product offers secure, high-speed 4G and 5G connectivity and is designed to accelerate the digital transformation of companies. It is a private network that is easy to order, install and manage, with a cloud-based network management portal and a troubleshooting app, built to satisfy the self-management needs of users of information technologies (IT) and operational technologies (OT).
This solution enables a wide variety of industrial case uses, for both indoor and outdoor environments. Its network management system allows organizations to manage their own networks or integrate them with the operator’s management system if they wish. Integration with IT and OT systems is easy, thanks to an open API.
The future of private 5G
To sum up, private 5G represents the next evolution in networks for mission-critical applications, offering a unique combination of reliability, security and portability. At Ikusi we are committed to leading this change and to giving companies the tools they need to prosper in the digital era.