Jessica Jiyung Oh

As businesses across industries embrace digital transformation and seek enhanced connectivity, private 5G networks are emerging as a powerful solution to address their unique needs. The current market size of Private 5G networks is projected to witness a remarkable growth trajectory, with a CAGR of 42.3% to 51.2% expected until 2030. 

Private 5G networks offer enhanced security, ultra-low latency, and guaranteed bandwidth, making them ideal for mission-critical applications in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation. Unlike public networks, private 5G networks can be customized to align precisely with specific business requirements and use cases, optimizing resource allocation and performance.

The convergence of private 5G with IoT devices, edge computing, and AI is unlocking unprecedented possibilities for automation, real-time data analytics, and predictive maintenance.

[Regulatory Landscape of Private 5G in Korea]

 Regulatory frameworks for Private 5G networks vary across regions. Within KCA's multifaceted role in shaping the Korean private 5G market, "Developing regulations and guidelines" serves as a critical cornerstone.

Key areas of regulation

- Spectrum allocation: KCA defines how the limited radio spectrum is allocated for private 5G networks. This involves establishing licensing procedures, determining eligibility criteria for different types of users, and setting spectrum usage fees.

- Technical standards: KCA sets technical standards for network equipment, software, and services to ensure compatibility, interoperability, and network security. This includes defining minimum performance requirements, data encryption protocols, and network management procedures.

- Security and privacy: KCA establishes robust security and privacy regulations to protect sensitive data within private 5G networks. This includes data breach notification requirements, user authentication protocols, and data retention policies.

- Quality of service (QoS): KCA defines minimum QoS requirements for private 5G networks to ensure reliable and consistent connectivity for critical applications. This involves setting metrics for latency, bandwidth, and packet loss.

- Interference prevention: KCA takes measures to prevent interference between private 5G networks and public networks or other radio services. This may involve setting geographic separation requirements or defining power limits for network transmissions.

[Accuver and KCA Collaborate to Pave the Way for Private 5G Networks]

Private 5G networks are booming in smart factories, but signal interference between nearby businesses can be a problem. To ensure smooth operation and regulatory compliance, KCA (Korea Communications Agency) needed a solution for on-site inspections.

Their plan consisted of three key parts:

- Building a database: This database would store inspection results and statuses for different scenarios, helping KCA track compliance and identify potential issues.

- Developing a dedicated inspection program: KCA wanted a program specifically designed for private 5G networks, including wireless station verification and signal strength/interference measurements.

- Defining evaluation criteria: Clear standards were needed to assess the results of inspections and ensure consistent enforcement.

To tackle this challenge, KCA partnered with Accuver, a technology company specializing in network testing solutions.

Together, they created a comprehensive inspection protocol in 2023:

Wireless station verification: Accuver's portable analyzer (XCAT-IXA) verified the proper configuration of network equipment.

Outdoor interference in high-rise buildings: For scenarios where walking measurements weren't feasible, Accuver used a drone-based solution (XCAL-Air) in conjunction with XCAT-IXA to measure interference levels more effectively.

After six months of collaboration, the efficient inspection program is ready. KCA will now report it to the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT for approval.

This new program will help ensure responsible development and efficient operation of private 5G networks in Korea, ultimately benefiting businesses and consumers alike.

[XCAL-Air for Outdoor interference measurement]

XCAL-Air is a powerful, integrated drone-based package specifically designed for measuring and analyzing performance in airspace networks. 

This advanced solution combines various network equipment, including spectrum analyzers, scanners, and mobile network measurement devices, boasting a comprehensive feature set for efficient network verification in airspace environments.

Thanks to Accuver's innovative tools, KCA can obtain precise 5G signal strength

measurements in the air. XCAT-IXA spectrum analyzer checks signal strength and transmits the data to the cloud. This enables them to view real-time signal strength, such as RSRP from Private 5G cells, on a 3D map, making it easy to identify any weak spots or interference. According to KCA rules, areas with an RSRP stronger than -115dBm outside the designated zone require adjustment. In the future, KCA plans to create a database of

on-site inspection data for private 5G sites and manage it continuously for supervision.

[Conclusion]

The convergence of Private 5G with IoT devices, edge computing, and AI opens unprecedented possibilities for automation, real-time data analytics, and predictive maintenance. The role of entities like the Korea Communications Commission (KCA) becomes crucial in shaping regulations and guidelines to facilitate the seamless integration of private 5G networks.

Accuver's collaboration with KCA showcases a proactive approach to addressing challenges in private 5G deployment. By developing a comprehensive on-site inspection protocol, including wireless station verification, signal strength/interference measurements, and interference prevention, the collaboration ensures smooth operation, regulatory compliance, and efficient management of private 5G networks in smart factories.

The introduction of XCAL-Air as a drone-based solution for outdoor interference measurement further enhances the capability to identify and resolve coverage in airspace networks. Accuver's innovative tools, such as the XCAT-IXA spectrum analyzer, enable precise 5G signal strength measurements. The integration of these tools aligns with KCA's objective to create a database of on-site inspection data for continuous supervision and management of private 5G sites. Cooperation between Accuver and KCA to revitalize the private 5G Network market will continue.

Accuver plans to continue developing solutions for two key markets: regulatory agencies, like the FCC and Ofcom, who require private 5G on-site inspections (similar to KCA), and engineering companies who need private 5G completion inspections.