5G Private Networks Driving Industry Transformation in APAC

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Across the Asia-Pacific region, the deployment of Private 5G (P5G) networks is unlocking new possibilities for industrial innovation, automation, and operational efficiency. A recent collection of case studies curated by GSMA and its regional partners offers concrete examples of how 5G is reshaping diverse sectors including manufacturing, logistics, public safety, healthcare, and scientific research. These implementations are not only improving processes but also establishing new models of collaboration and technical integration.

One of the standout examples comes from Thailand, where AIS, Huawei, and China Unicom have deployed the country’s first commercial dedicated private 5G network across three Midea manufacturing facilities. The network features a local User Plane Function and on-premise Multi-access Edge Computing, providing ultra-low latency and high uplink capabilities essential for automated guided vehicles, AI-driven robotics, and smart inspection systems. This has led to a 15 to 20 percent improvement in operational efficiency and approximately 30 percent reduction in costs, setting a benchmark for industrial private 5G deployments in the region.

In another initiative, AIS partnered with NECTEC and ARV to build a comprehensive 5G Standalone network in Thailand’s Wangchan Valley, an innovation testbed for Industry 4.0 and smart city applications. The network supports technologies such as autonomous drones, robotic arms, and industrial IoT systems. Key enablers include network slicing, private network functionality, and edge computing, which collectively enable tailored performance, high reliability, and flexible service orchestration across varied industrial scenarios.

Indonesia’s logistics sector is also seeing tangible gains. Telkomsel and Huawei collaborated on the country’s first 5G smart warehouse, integrating indoor small cells, private core, digital twins, AGVs, and AI-enhanced CCTV. By leveraging 5G NSA architecture and radio access network sharing, the solution delivers improved inventory accuracy, reduced errors, and optimised material handling. This case highlights the scalability of private 5G in complex operational environments.

In Singapore, the National University Health System, with support from Singtel and IMDA, has implemented a hybrid private-public 5G Standalone network. Designed to support Holomedicine applications, the network provides sub-10 millisecond latency, enabling real-time holographic imaging in surgical settings. Secure network slicing ensures prioritised medical traffic, while edge computing enables data processing closer to where it is needed, demonstrating 5G’s potential in clinical environments.

Public safety applications are equally benefiting from private 5G. In Hong Kong, China Mobile Hong Kong deployed a broadband trunking system using 5G over the 700 MHz band to enhance firefighting operations. Combined with inertial navigation, this solution improves in-building tracking and communication in GPS-denied environments, enhancing situational awareness and firefighter safety.

In the maritime domain, China Mobile Hong Kong’s collaboration with TurboJET demonstrates the extension of private 5G to ferry services across the Hong Kong–Macau route. Through a tailored hybrid network and advanced antenna systems, they achieved reliable broadband coverage offshore, supporting CCTV, passenger connectivity, and operational applications. This project highlights how 5G can be adapted to meet the connectivity challenges of mobile and remote environments.

Academic research is also benefiting. At Macau University of Science and Technology, CTM has deployed a non-public 5G network with edge computing to support high-precision planetary science research. The setup, which supports seamless cross-border collaboration and secure data transmission, illustrates how private 5G can underpin scientific discovery and digital sovereignty.

Across these case studies, several technical patterns emerge. Private 5G networks typically include on-premises core functions, often supported by edge computing to minimise latency and retain sensitive data within the enterprise perimeter. Network slicing and local breakouts are increasingly used to tailor quality of service for specific applications. Integration with industrial automation platforms, digital twins, and AI systems appears to be a common goal across most deployments.

Importantly, these projects highlight that private 5G is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each deployment is carefully engineered to address specific industry requirements, regulatory environments, and operational constraints. Successful implementations rely on close collaboration between network operators, technology vendors, and enterprise stakeholders.

As the APAC region continues to lead in the adoption of private 5G networks, these case studies offer valuable insights into how tailored connectivity solutions are driving digital transformation. With continued investment and cross-sector collaboration, private 5G is poised to become a foundational enabler of smarter, safer, and more efficient operations across the region.

The case studies are available in the white paper here.

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