In a new trend that poses a challenge to telecom giants, an increasing number of businesses are opting for private wireless networks instead of relying solely on public ones. A private wireless network is a dedicated, standalone system that allows controlled access for authorized users. These networks can either be managed by in-house teams or outsourced to established mobile network providers like Verizon and T-Mobile.

Contrary to the notion of a failed market, the sector is booming. According to insights from market research firm Dell’Oro, sales of private 4G/5G radio access network (RAN) equipment saw over 40% growth in 2025, contributing to 3 to 5 percent of total sales.

Private wireless is one of the most promising segments of the RAN market, showing a more favorable growth trajectory compared to the broader market. Although it is in the early stages of adoption, forecasts suggest that private wireless surpassed expectations in 2024, comprising around 3 to 5 percent of the total RAN market.

Key players like Huawei, Nokia, and Ericsson lead the market, with projections indicating a growth rate of 15 to 20 percent annually by 2029. Notably, the share of private wireless is expected to double in comparison to its current proportion. In contrast, public RAN is anticipated to see a slight decline of 1 percent during the same time frame. The year 2024 was noted as a pivotal moment for the market by Dell’Oro, as private wireless began to emerge from the shadows of the larger RAN segment.

To adapt to this shift, T-Mobile launched a portable 5G private network solution last year, demonstrating a commitment to enabling private network deployments virtually anywhere.