Private Network Operators Serving as Specialized Competitors to MNOs as Private Networks Grow in Industrial Markets

ABI Research New York

and Vodafone have historically had an advantage in acquiring spectrum, often winning at spectrum auctions due to their influential role in serving consumer smartphones. However, as more IIoT customers adopt private cellular networks, users are increasingly partial to niche operators with spectrum assets tailored to their coverage and performance requirements. For example, utility customers often require wide-area coverage, low latency, and resilient connectivity in remote areas. Anterix, a popular private network operator that solely caters to utilities, procured a low-band spectrum so its customers could balance capacity and coverage in remote geographies. Whereas traditional MNOs are motivated to serve populated areas to reap returns from consumers, private network operators' decisions are entirely driven by the needs of industrial customers, leading to business choices that would otherwise be seen as uneconomical to traditional operators.

Acquiring spectrum to match the needs of an industrial market can be a precarious and limiting strategy. Spectrum is a costly asset that traditional MNOs can afford by supporting millions of high-throughput consumer devices. Private network operators must package their spectrum offering with more profitable, specialized private network services to avoid relying completely on one asset. While current private network operators, like Anterix, Ambra Solutions, Citymesh, Tampnet,  and Globalstar have found profitable target markets or advantageous regulatory environments to succeed, many within the industry do not believe more private network operators will enter the market. Industry experts believe owning a spectrum's cost and regulatory burden is too high. New private network operators might also struggle as more countries release national spectrum schemes (similar to CBRS in the United States) that provide customers an alternative to traditional and private network operators when sourcing spectrum. Some private network operators believe they can still distinguish themselves from nationally available spectrum initiatives by continually investing in spectrum not commonly offered by regulators, like low-band spectrum.

"Though the business model of these non-traditional spectrum providers might be too niche to be profitable beyond their target markets, their existence proves that specialization is an important competitive advantage in the private wireless market," says Stokes. "Specialized operators will continue to emphasize their verticalized expertise as spectrum deployment models diversify."

These findings are from ABI Research's The Role of Private Network Operators in Industrial IoT Markets application analysis report. This report is part of the company's IoT Networks and Services research services, which include research, data, and analyst insights.

About ABI Research

ABI Research is a global technology intelligence firm uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology solution providers and end-market companies. We serve as the bridge that seamlessly connects these two segments by providing exclusive research and expert guidance to drive successful technology implementations and deliver strategies proven to attract and retain customers.

ABI Research????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

For more information about ABI Research's services, contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific, or visit www.abiresearch.com.

Contact Info: 

Global
Deborah Petrara
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]  

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2309035/ABI_Research_2024.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/private-network-operators-serving-as-specialized-competitors-to-mnos-as-private-networks-grow-in-industrial-markets-302158834.html

@ prnewswire.co.uk | CA7609751028 PRIVATE