Ericsson Private 5G Compact is an end-to-end private cellular network solution designed for the needs of today’s dynamic enterprise IT ecosystems. Initially based on the 4G LTE Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum in the USA, Ericsson Private 5G Compact is a cloud-native solution packaged to make it easy for enterprises to prioritize security and Quality of Service (QoS) while also enabling plug-and-play deployments that scale with an API-first design philosophy.
Ericsson Private 5G Compact provides an added layer of security over and above SIM-based authentication. The added layer of security is built from the ground up using zero trust principles and is based on a granular and dynamic policy framework that is core to the architecture. The policies are applied based on the connection’s context, which includes network, user, device, environment, application, and cellular attributes.
Solution Architecture and Capabilities
NetCloud Interoperability
Ericsson Private 5G Compact utilizes a unified cloud management and orchestration experience that delivers SD-WAN, enterprise-class security, cellular intelligence, and advanced analytics at the edge through full interoperability with NetCloud Manager — all managed through a single pane of glass. NetCloud Manager intelligently integrates the CBRS Spectrum Access System (SAS) to manage and prevent interference. To optimize network coverage and QoS, RF planning tools are included as part of NetCloud Manager.
Mobility Gateway
Built around a converged 4G/5G cellular core, Ericsson Private 5G Compact has the flexibility to be deployed on the enterprise premises or in the cloud, thus enabling enterprises to maintain their data locally while still benefitting from the power of cloud-based configuration and policy management. With this inherent flexibility, the Ericsson Private 5G Compact Mobility Gateway enables secure access to enterprise data services from authenticated cellular endpoints.
Cellular Access Points
The Ericsson Private 5G Compact solution includes plug-and-play cellular access points (CAPs) that support the 4G LTE CBRS spectrum band 48. Sometimes referred to as small cells, these CAPs form the private radio access network (RAN) that cellular endpoints and clients connect to and are authenticated through the mobility gateway. CAPs rated for indoor locations (A2400) and outdoor environments (A2405 and A2415) work together to create contiguous private network connectivity across the entire enterprise location.
NetCloud Private SIM-Enabled Routers and Endpoints
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards are critically required by every cellular network to authenticate edge devices such as cellular routers/adapters and cellular clients such as cell phones, tablets, and barcode scanners. In fact, any device that incorporates a NetCloud Private SIM card or Private eSIM can gain controlled access to the Ericsson Private 5G Compact — including third-party endpoints and routers. However, to realize the benefits of a fully converged and centrally managed system, Ericsson Cradlepoint CBRS routers and adapters are the preferred endpoint solution for connections to the LAN or SIM-less edge devices.
WAN Edge Router
The WAN edge router connects the on-premises equipment, including the Ericsson Private 5G Compact Mobility Gateway and CAPs, to the internet and remote data centers. Depending on the deployed Ericsson Private 5G Compact architecture, the WAN edge router may also connect remote CAPs at a site to a centralized mobility gateway in a data center. For the best end-to-end management, policy orchestration, and user experience, this WAN edge router may be a Ericsson Cradlepoint device, but third-party devices are also compatible with Ericsson Private 5G Compact and may be a better fit for some network architectures.
