Finland’s Transport and Communications Authority (Traficom) has urged for more mid-band spectrum to be allocated to private networks, arguing that the growth of this sector is being stunted by cost and a lack of awareness.
The agency, which monitors the country’s telecommunications landscape, emphasized that expanding spectrum availability would help overcome several challenges that are currently limiting the broader adoption of these networks.
Traficom’s research, which involved consulting with private network users and providers, has revealed that industries such as manufacturing, ports, and healthcare are increasingly leveraging private networks.
These specialized setups offer businesses enhanced security, reliability, and performance, making them an attractive option for organizations looking to support digitalization efforts. However, despite this growing interest, the sector is expanding more slowly than anticipated due to a variety of obstacles.
According to the Finnish authority, the primary barriers include long sales cycles, limited awareness of the potential benefits of private networks, and difficulties in sourcing terminal equipment.
Traficom’s findings point to a fragmented deployment approach in Finland, with businesses either opting to establish their own private networks or entering into partnerships with telecom operators.
This mix of individual and collaborative strategies is reflective of the wider private network segment, where organizations typically rely on a combination of approaches to meet their needs.
At present, Finland assigns frequencies from 2,300 MHz to 2,320 MHz and 24.25 GHz to 25.1 GHz for the operation of private 4G and 5G networks. While these bands are essential for private network operations, Traficom advocates for the release of additional spectrum in the 2 GHz to 7 GHz range.
The authority believes that this mid-band spectrum would provide larger coverage areas, along with greater capacity and faster data rates, which would significantly improve the quality and scalability of private network deployments.
Traficom noted that Finland is not alone in identifying the need for additional spectrum in this area. International bodies working on spectrum allocation have also recognized the importance of mid-band frequencies for private networks.
However, Traficom argues that European strategies, particularly those related to the development of 6G technology, should place more emphasis on the needs of private network operators. The authority believes that without addressing these needs, Europe could fall behind in the global race to build robust digital infrastructures.
The Finnish authority further stressed that the transition from 4G to 5G would bring even greater opportunities for private networks.
As 5G becomes the standard in mobile telecommunications, Traficom expects its deployment in private networks to accelerate, offering new capabilities for industries in areas such as automation, real-time data analytics, and secure communication.
In conclusion, Traficom’s call for expanded mid-band spectrum underscores the growing importance of private networks in the digital era.
As businesses continue to embrace new technologies, the availability of the right spectrum will be critical to unlocking the full potential of private networks, driving innovation across various sectors, and supporting Finland’s broader digitalization goals.