As more businesses seek greater control over connectivity, private LTE and 5G networks are gaining ground as solutions for reliable and scalable communications. Companies explore these networks to manage industrial IoT, manufacturing, and site-specific demands, looking beyond public networks for security and tailored performance. With a variety of suppliers and technologies emerging, enterprises now face expanding choices on how to upgrade and optimize their digital infrastructure for future applications. This shift is stirring competition and fostering innovation across the mobile ecosystem.
Industry research from previous years had projected a steady but cautious incline for private LTE/5G adoption, with initial growth centered on pilot programs in limited sectors such as utilities and manufacturing. While earlier data emphasized vendor-led supply and incremental advances in spectrum allocation, the latest findings suggest both broader enterprise demand and rapid maturation of technologies like O-RAN and network slicing, leading to more ambitious deployment targets and a heightened competitive landscape.
Why Are Private LTE/5G Networks Expanding?
Global deployment of private LTE/5G networks reached 6,500 sites by the end of 2025, propelled by businesses requiring more dependable connectivity than public networks currently offer. According to research by Berg Insight, the market was valued at $2.4 billion in 2025 and is set for robust expansion as companies transition operations from LTE towards advanced 5G use cases. Enterprises are motivated by the need for low-latency solutions, increased security, and the flexibility to support evolving industrial and IoT applications.
How Are Vendors and Offerings Shaping the Market?
Major players such as Nokia, Ericsson, and Huawei are shaping the private LTE/5G ecosystem, providing comprehensive solutions that span radio, core networks, and support services. Nokia leads with about 960 customers and over 2,000 deployments, although it recently announced plans to divest its Nokia DAC solution to focus resources on larger segments. Meanwhile, a growing roster of smaller vendors—like Airspan Networks, Celona, and Mavenir—offer specialized equipment and turnkey solutions, increasing competition and fueling innovation across nearly 60 providers.
Which Technology Trends Influence Adoption?
The sector is experiencing notable developments, including the adoption of virtualized network functions and O-RAN, which enable more flexible and programmable infrastructure. Emerging trends such as neutral host models, new regulatory policies, and alternative technologies like Wi-Fi 7 and network slicing are shaping enterprise decision-making. According to Melvin Sorum, IoT analyst at Berg Insight,
“The private cellular network market is undergoing a transformation, driven by the increasing availability of dedicated spectrum, evolving device ecosystem and a growing number of latency-sensitive enterprise use cases.”
These factors collectively determine whether enterprises choose private cellular technologies or alternatives for different scenarios.
Looking forward, the value of private LTE/5G network solutions is projected to hit $12 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 38 percent. As deployments grow, businesses are expected to expand existing networks and introduce new applications. Berg Insight observes,
“While the market historically has been mainly supply-driven, it is today increasingly driven by organic demand from end users.”
The choice between private LTE/5G, Wi-Fi 7, and other wireless innovations will shape industrial networking strategies, depending on performance requirements and cost-benefit analyses.
With rising enterprise demand, the landscape of private LTE/5G networks now looks very different from only a few years ago. Industrial companies evaluating upgrades from LTE to 5G must weigh integration complexities, evolving spectrum regulations, and the interplay with other wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi 7. For those considering adoption, understanding the strengths of each vendor and the fit of core network software—whether from established names like Nokia or emerging firms like Druid Software and Expeto—will be key. Careful evaluation of these networks’ role in the overall IT and operational technology architecture is essential, as network programmability and cost efficiency become major decision factors. Ultimately, successful strategies will depend on aligning connectivity choices with specific operational needs and growth objectives in a dynamic and fragmented market.
