Private 5G sounds exciting at first—faster speeds, tighter control, better privacy. But when you peel back the layers, the pitch starts to fall apart.

Most enterprises don’t need to build their own cellular network or rethink their network configuration from scratch. And the few that try often end up buried under complexity and cost.

We’ve seen how it plays out—and we’re not convinced it’s the future.

We'll talk about:

• What private 5G actually is—and what makes it different from public networks
• Why some teams still think it’s worth the cost (and where that thinking goes wrong)
• What it really takes to set up a private cellular network from scratch
• Where private 5G works—and where it quickly falls apart
• Why neutral-host networks offer the same benefits without the baggage
• How Meter’s Cellular product solves the coverage problem

What is private 5G?

Private 5G is a self-contained cellular network deployed and managed by a single organization. It uses 5G radio technology but operates independently from public carriers like Verizon or T-Mobile.

You get your own spectrum, your own infrastructure, and your own 5G core—isolated from commercial mobile networks. It gives you full control over traffic, coverage, and performance—but you also inherit every networking burden.

How is private 5G different from public 5G?

Public 5G is managed by carriers and shared across millions of users. Private 5G networks are owned and operated by individual organizations, offering isolation and control—but also adding cost, setup, and maintenance responsibilities.

You're building your own mini mobile network, with all the operational weight that comes with it.

Core features of private 5G

Private 5G stands out because of how isolated it is. That’s both its strength and its biggest weakness.

Runs on dedicated spectrum

Private networks use licensed, shared, or unlicensed spectrum—often CBRS in the U.S. Most choose shared access, but some pay for priority licenses to avoid interference. That gets expensive fast.

Full control of network behavior

You set the rules for access, QoS, latency, and security. Some systems offer network slicing, but getting it right takes deep telecom experience.

Built for specific use cases

It works best for high-stakes automation—AGVs, smart factories, and real-time control systems. You’re not deploying this to run Slack and Zoom.

Private 5G network layout

Setting up private 5G isn’t like installing Wi-Fi. You’re building an actual cell network—complete with antennas, a mobile core, and custom infrastructure.

How it works

Most of the work starts with signal coverage. That means installing a dense mesh of radios—called a radio access network—that connects devices to the rest of the system. You’ll need far more radios than you would access points, especially indoors where signals bounce or drop.

All that traffic flows into the 5G core, the software layer that handles device authentication, traffic routing, and mobility. It’s what makes the network behave like a proper carrier—even if you’re only using it on one site.

To reduce lag, many setups include edge computing, where data gets processed close to where it's created. That’s helpful for things like real-time control systems, robotics, or video analytics.

How it’s deployed

You can deploy private 5G fully on-premises, with all hardware and software running inside your own walls. That gives you full control—but also full responsibility for setup, updates, and troubleshooting.

Some newer setups offload parts of the system to the cloud. You still manage on-site radios, but the 5G core or orchestration tools run remotely. It saves a bit on complexity but doesn’t eliminate the overhead.

Why enterprises consider private 5G

Some enterprise teams still see private 5G as the next step in connectivity because it can offer more control, fewer interruptions, and tighter security. That confidence usually fades once the bills show up and the complexity sets in.

Tighter data control

Routing traffic through a local network sounds like a safer move. And yes, there’s less public exposure. But you're now responsible for everything—device authorizations, access control, patching, threat response. One misstep and your “secure” network isn’t.

Custom traffic prioritization

You can prioritize traffic or tune for network throughput with private 5G, but it’s far from simple. Network slicing and QoS tuning require deep telecom experience—and the tools are still maturing. Most teams don’t have the time or staff to get it right.

Less interference and cleaner spectrum

Using shared or licensed spectrum sounds like a fix for Wi-Fi noise. But managing your own RF environment isn’t easy. CBRS still has interference risks, especially in urban areas—and priority licenses cost real money.

Better coverage in hard-to-wire sites

Some believe 5G radios are better than Wi-Fi in places like ports or factories. But that only holds if your deployment is flawless—and you’ve invested in dense RAN coverage, which most skip to save money.

More reliable mobility and handoffs

Private 5G handles roaming better than Wi-Fi. But the gap only matters if your site has mobile devices constantly moving. Most offices and warehouses don't need telco-grade handoff logic.

The major reasons why private 5G falls short

We’ve talked to teams who’ve piloted 5G enterprise network setups. Here’s what they’ve run into again and again.

The costs are enormous

Private 5G isn’t plug-and-play. Spectrum licenses can cost hundreds of thousands—or more, depending on the region you’re in.

You’ll need to install radios, a 5G core, and edge compute systems. Plus, someone has to maintain it all—that usually falls on your already maxed-out IT team.

Every layer adds cost and complexity. There’s no such thing as “set it and forget it” in cellular.

Network isolation breaks mobility

Devices on private 5G can’t roam onto public networks. That kind of network isolation might sound secure—but it breaks the user experience the second someone steps offsite.

It’s like building your own robot and wondering why it can’t talk to the rest of the factory.

Setup and management are complex

You’re now a mobile carrier. You have to manage spectrum, hardware, orchestration, and traffic policies. Most enterprise teams aren’t staffed for that. Besides, most MSPs aren’t trained to do it either.

Device compatibility is spotty

Phones and IoT devices don’t always support private 5G out of the box. Some need custom SIMs or firmware tweaks.

If the bands don’t match—or provisioning fails—you’re stuck troubleshooting one device at a time.

No clean path to scale

Each site needs its own 5G private network. You can’t extend coverage or share users across locations. That means rebuilding infrastructure, duplicating spectrum access, and increasing overhead with every expansion.

Where private 5G sometimes works

We don’t think private 5G is worthless. It’s just very narrow in where it actually helps. Private 5G can be useful—but only in very specific setups with clear technical requirements and the budget to back them up.

Manufacturing

Large factories sometimes turn to private 5G for precision control of automated systems. That includes autonomous robots, sensors, or machine tools that rely on real-time instructions.

In these environments, even a split-second delay or dropped connection can break workflows. Wi-Fi doesn’t always cut it, especially across wide factory floors or high-interference zones filled with metal structures.

But to make private 5G work here, teams need dense RAN coverage, deep IT expertise, and rock-solid reliability. It’s not a casual deployment—it’s a capital project.

Hospitals

Healthcare facilities have experimented with private 5G to support real-time patient monitoring and mobile imaging systems. If Wi-Fi is overloaded or unreliable, a dedicated cellular network can help reduce lag and packet loss for time-sensitive data.

However, this setup is rare. Most hospitals already invest in dedicated Wi-Fi infrastructure with solid redundancy and segmenting. Device compatibility still remains a hurdle—many medical systems aren’t certified to run on private 5G without modification.

It can work—but only if the hospital is willing to absorb the complexity and has a compelling reason to ditch Wi-Fi.

Airports and logistics hubs

Some airports and shipping centers are testing private 5G to handle baggage automation, freight tracking, and secure staff communications.

These facilities often have unique needs: big open spaces, lots of moving assets, and a mix of indoor and outdoor coverage. Private 5G can support high device density and consistent mobility, which Wi-Fi sometimes struggles with.

Still, deploying 5G across a site like this takes major planning—and comes with device lock-in and maintenance overhead. It also requires careful network planning to make sure the system doesn’t underperform or clash with existing infrastructure.

Potentially helpful, but only if the network will be used constantly by critical systems.

Where private 5G doesn’t make sense

Most enterprise environments already have better, simpler options. Private 5G sounds good on paper—but in real-world use, it often adds complexity without solving an actual problem.

Retail environments

Retailers want flexible networks that support shoppers, staff, and IoT systems. Private 5G makes that harder, not easier.

Customers can’t connect unless their devices are provisioned. And even if they could, they’d lose service as soon as they left the store. That’s a bad experience for shoppers and an unnecessary burden for store IT teams.

Wi-Fi 6 already offers reliable indoor coverage and device support. Then if you need mobile carrier coverage inside the building, a neutral-host fills the gap—without locking users into a private system.

Corporate offices

Office networks are already covered. Wi-Fi 6E delivers fast, stable connections for laptops, phones, printers, and conferencing gear.

Adding private 5G means re-architecting the entire network for no clear benefit. You’d have to manage SIM provisioning, build out indoor RAN coverage, and troubleshoot compatibility across every device type. None of that helps productivity—it just adds friction.

Then again, if coverage is the issue, a neutral-host setup solves it by extending mobile service indoors.

Event spaces

Conferences, stadiums, and arenas need high-density coverage—but private 5G isn’t the answer.

Most attendees use personal phones tied to public networks. A private system can’t support them without provisioning every single device. That’s not practical—or affordable.

Venue owners are better off working with carriers directly or using neutral-host infrastructure that blends into public networks. It’s cheaper, simpler, and actually works for the people walking through the doors.

Neutral-host networks are a smarter alternative

Neutral-host networks fill coverage gaps in buildings by extending carrier signals indoors. Unlike private 5G, they use shared infrastructure to support public network access.

That means your phone stays connected—without needing a new SIM or specialized hardware.

A neutral-host setup usually includes shared radios, a distributed antenna system (DAS), or small cells. It connects back to the carriers’ core networks, so users don’t notice they’ve moved indoors.

Meter’s Cellular product works differently.

We don’t use bulky DAS setups or carrier radios. Instead, we install our own Cellular Access Points. They plug in with one ethernet cable and bring public carrier service indoors. It’s simple, fast to set up, and part of the same network we already manage for you.

Why Meter's neutral-host wins out

Private 5G sounds like a good idea until you realize you're building your own cell network. It’s expensive, limited in coverage, hard to manage, and incompatible with most real-world use cases.

We’ve seen the difference firsthand. Enterprises that try private 5G end up drowning in complexity. The ones who switch to neutral-host setups get better results with less work.

Meter builds and manages fully integrated networks that support this model.

Here's what you get with Meter Networks:

• Vertically integrated: Meter-built access points, switches, and security appliances work together to create a cohesive, stress-free network management experience.
• Better coverage: Seamless connectivity without isolation from carrier networks.
• Zero management overhead: Fully managed and operated by network providers, reducing IT burden.
• Software: Use Meter’s purpose-built dashboard for deep visibility and granular control of your network, or create custom dashboards with a prompt using Meter Command.
• Lower cost: No need to buy and maintain expensive private 5G infrastructure.
• Scalability: Works anywhere, unlike private 5G, which is limited to a fixed location.

To learn more, schedule a demo with Meter.