Planning a Private LTE Network: Engineer’s Checklist

Introduction

In an era where enterprises demand secure, high-performance connectivity — especially for industrial IoT, manufacturing, and mission-critical operations — private LTE networks have become an increasingly compelling solution. Instead of relying on public cellular networks or congested Wi-Fi, organisations can build their own dedicated LTE networks, leveraging the CBRS band (Band 48) to gain control, predictability, and security.

This guide provides a comprehensive engineer’s checklist for planning a private LTE network. Whether we’re starting from scratch or evaluating deployment strategies, we’ll find practical steps, design considerations, and technical best practices. By the end, we’ll have a clear roadmap to deploy a resilient, high-performance private LTE network.

1. Gather requirements: define our use case

Before we dive into technology, it’s critical to understand why we’re building a private LTE network.

• Purpose & goals: What problem are we solving? Is it secure connectivity, high device density, low latency, or coverage in a challenging site?
• User profile: Who connects? Fixed devices, mobile users, or both?
• Device types & volume: How many devices will use the network? Sensors? Cameras? Routers? TVs?
• Mobility & coverage: Which devices move around? Are there large zones that need coverage?
• Application traffic: What kind of data will be carried (video, telemetry, voice)? Estimate bandwidth per device.
• Security needs: Do we need SIM-based authentication, encryption, or isolation from public networks?

These questions align with the OnGo Private LTE Deployment Guide’s recommendation to begin with detailed requirement gathering.

2. Regulatory & spectrum planning

After defining the use case:

1. Spectrum choice: For CBRS-based private LTE, decide whether to use GAA (General Authorised Access) or PAL (Priority Access License).
2. SAS & CBSD vendors: Choose a Spectrum Access System (SAS) provider and compatible Citizen Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs).
3. Licensing: If going with PAL, acquire or sublicense the license.
4. SIM / Subscriber identity planning: Decide how SIMs will be provisioned (eSIM, physical SIM) and which IMSI / subscriber blocks we’ll use.

3. Site survey & RF design

A thorough site survey is foundational for reliable coverage and capacity.

• Map the environment: Sketch floor plans, identify walls, obstructions (metal, concrete), and locations of existing APs or power/data sources.
• Estimate device density: Where will devices cluster? Which areas will be high traffic?
• Coverage planning: Using propagation tools or simulation software, estimate how many base stations (CBSDs) are needed.
• Traffic estimation: Based on our earlier use case, calculate the required bandwidth (e.g., video, voice, telemetry). OnGo guides use tables to approximate per-device rates.
• Backhaul & power: Identify power (AC, PoE) and data connectivity (fibre, Ethernet) points for RAN equipment.

4. Network architecture design

Designing our private LTE architecture includes several components:

1. RAN (Radio Access Network): Select CBSD models (omni, directional), antenna types, power, and placement.
2. Core Network / EPC: Choose an EPC (Evolved Packet Core) — could be on-premises, cloud-hosted, or hybrid.
3. Management & EMS: Determine how we’ll manage fault, performance, and configuration (EMS system).
4. Backhaul: Define how base stations connect to the core (wired, wireless).
5. Redundancy: Plan for redundancy, e.g., dual SIM gateways, backup base stations, or EPC failover.

5. SIM provisioning & security

Security is a strong value proposition in private LTE.

• SIM provisioning: Decide how we will generate, provision, and manage SIMs (eSIM or physical).
• Authentication: Use SIM-based mutual authentication to ensure that only authorised devices connect. Horizon’s DG505G device supports SIM-based authentication. Horizon Powered
• Encryption: By default, LTE provides encryption at the radio layer. Consider additional encryption or IPsec for sensitive data.
• Access control: Define network access policies, Quality of Service (QoS), and segmentation if needed.

6. Capacity & performance planning

Next, ensure our network can support the expected load.

1. Device capacity: Based on device count and traffic type, model how many base stations and how much spectrum are needed.
2. Throughput planning: Factor in peak vs average usage.
3. QoS design: Prioritise critical traffic (e.g., video surveillance, voice) with suitable QoS policies.
4. KPIs definition: Define key performance indicators (KPIs) — throughput, latency, packet loss, device registration success, and handover success.

7. Installation & commissioning

Once the design is ready, move into deployment.

• Install CBSDs: Place and mount base stations at mapped locations.
• Configure EPC & EMS: Deploy and configure core network components and management systems.
• Register with SAS: Register CBSDs with our chosen SAS provider and ensure spectrum authorisation. Ong O Alliance
• Provision SIMs / Devices: Create and activate SIMs, configure UEs (User Equipment).
• Commission Devices: Connect clients, verify authentication, test throughputs, handovers, and coverage.

8. Monitoring and operations

Once the network is live, continuous operations are key.

1. Performance monitoring: Use EMS/monitoring tools to track KPIs.
2. Alarm management: Define alarms for failures, thresholds, handover issues, and capacity breaches.
3. Maintenance: Plan firmware updates, SIM lifecycle management, and cell tuning.
4. Support structure: Identify internal contacts (EPC team, RAN team, operations) and external support (vendor, SAS).

9. Security & resilience

Beyond commissioning, ensure long-term security and resiliency.

• Failover & redundancy: Use dual SIM gateways (e.g., dual-SIM LTE/5G routers) to provide backup connectivity. Horizon’s IR2005G supports dual SIM and automatic failover. Horizon Powered
• Network segmentation: Segment critical traffic vs general-use devices.
• Key management: Secure SIM credentials, manage updates.
• Incident response: Define procedures for security breaches or network downtime.

10. Scaling & future planning

Finally, think about growth.

1. Pilot to full deployment: Test in a limited area first; expand gradually.
2. Cost modelling & ROI: Estimate CAPEX (equipment, installation) and OPEX (monitoring, licenses, SIMs) to build a business case.
3. Upgrades: Plan for future 5G or private 5G deployment — or network slicing.
4. Lifecycle management: Strategy for scaling, replacements, SIM churn, and spectrum renewal.

Conclusion & CTA

Deploying a private LTE network is not trivial, but with thoughtful planning — from spectrum and architecture to security and scaling — it can deliver powerful, secure connectivity tailored to our organisation’s needs. Using this engineer’s checklist, we can minimise risk, design for performance, and build a network that supports our digital transformation journey.

Ready to take the next step? Contact Horizon Powered to explore rugged CBRS-band devices (like the IR2005G or DG505G) and expert support for private LTE deployments.

Internal linking suggestions

• Link to the IR2005G product page when discussing industrial gateways.
• Link to DG505G SIM-based authentication post when discussing SIM provisioning security.
• Link to MH600E business hotspot when talking about dual-SIM failover or redundancy.

External references

1. OnGo Private LTE Deployment Guide (OnGo Alliance) for planning and a checklist.
2. CBRS Alliance webinar on deployment steps & design.

FAQs (for featured snippets)

Q1: What is a private LTE network?

A private LTE network is a cellular network (using LTE technology) built for exclusive use by a specific organisation or campus, rather than the general public. It often leverages unlicensed or lightly licensed spectrum (like CBRS) to provide dedicated coverage, security, and performance.

Q2: Do I need a license to deploy private LTE?

It depends. In the U.S., we can use CBRS Band 48 under GAA (General Authorised Access) without needing a paid license, though we must coordinate via a Spectrum Access System (SAS). For more exclusive access, we may acquire a PAL (Priority Access License).

Q3: How many devices can connect to a private LTE network?

This depends on our capacity planning, spectrum, and network architecture. By estimating per-device bandwidth and traffic patterns, engineers can model how many devices (IoT, video, etc.) the network can support.

Q4: How secure is private LTE compared to Wi-Fi?

Private LTE is generally more secure: it uses SIM-based mutual authentication, built-in LTE encryption, and can be segmented. Additionally, we can apply network-level policies, QoS, and further encryption for sensitive data.

Q5: What hardware do I need for a private LTE deployment?

Key components include: CBSD base stations (RAN), a core network (EPC), SIMs (or eSIM), LTE gateways or CPE devices (e.g., dual-SIM routers), and management software (EMS for monitoring and configuration).

Learn more about 25105G Backbone for Remote Surveillance here.

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