Telenor's Take on the Progress of Private 5G Networks

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At the Telecoms Europe: 5G and Beyond virtual event held earlier this year, Terje Jensen, Global Business Security Officer at Telenor, provided a comprehensive update on the state of private 5G networks. His case study presentation highlighted not only how far the industry has come, but also the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Jensen began by reflecting on the continued optimism around private networks. Market forecasts from a range of analysts suggest annual growth rates of between 45 and 55 percent, driven by global demand across industries such as logistics, healthcare, defence, mining, and offshore operations. While similar projections were made a few years ago, the pandemic delayed progress and forced a reset. However, the fundamental need for digital transformation has remained a strong catalyst.

At Telenor, private networks are not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Jensen explained that private 5G can be delivered as a service layered over the public network, or as fully isolated, on-premises installations. Many enterprises, in fact, are opting for a hybrid model that combines both approaches. The key is flexibility and alignment with evolving customer needs.

The drivers for private network adoption are largely rooted in digitalisation. Enterprises seek improved efficiency, enhanced safety, stronger security, better compliance, and the ability to innovate. Jensen emphasised that these drivers vary across sectors, making it critical to engage directly with customers to understand their immediate pain points and long-term ambitions.

To illustrate this, Jensen walked through several real-world deployments. A standout example was a major port in Southeast Asia, where Telenor helped enable remote crane operation. This reduced safety risks and improved operational efficiency, with additional use cases such as automated insurance documentation generating cost savings that justified the initial investment.

In Norway, Telenor supported a fully automated warehouse with 24/7 operations. 5G provided the low-latency connectivity required for robotic forklifts and precision logistics. This project is set to evolve further with integration of autonomous shipping, extending automation from land to sea.

Another compelling case came from the defence sector, where private networks have been installed in vehicles to provide field connectivity for mission-critical operations. Similar setups have been used in search and rescue, forestry, and emergency response, with edge computing and local analytics playing a crucial role.

Healthcare was also discussed, with smart hospitals opting for fully autonomous private networks and edge infrastructure to manage sensitive data, surgical systems, and workforce planning. Even industries like fish farming are exploring digitalisation, not just in offshore cages but across the supply chain, including logistics and distribution.

A common thread across all these examples is the reusability of components. By designing modular, interoperable solutions, Telenor and its partners have been able to apply core building blocks across very different sectors. For instance, video analytics developed for fish detection can be adapted to monitor safety compliance in industrial settings.

Jensen closed with a reminder that success in private networks depends on partnership. No single company can deliver all the components. A coordinated ecosystem is needed, one that can accommodate different business models, support multi-cloud strategies, and ensure secure, resilient and autonomous operations.

The value of private networks is becoming more tangible as deployments mature. Enterprises are increasingly recognising the impact on efficiency, safety, and innovation. As an operator experienced in critical infrastructure, Telenor sees itself as a natural partner in this journey.

The video of Terje Jensen’s full presentation is embedded below.

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