[TusharK]

Reliance Jio is reportedly in talks with Tesla to build a captive private network, as the US-based EV maker plans to set up a manufacturing unit in India.



According to media reports, the captive private network will manage all critical operations at faster speeds. It will support connected car solutions and automated production processes among others. The private 5G networks enable companies to set up their own Wi-Fi and data network instead of taking the services from a telecom service provider.

It is said that the discussions between Reliance Jio and Tesla are still in their preliminary stages as Tesla is yet to confirm its plan to set up a production facility in the country.

Today, 5G technology is used in several sectors including automobile, healthcare and manufacturing. In December 2022, Airtel deployed a private 5G private network at Mahindra's Chakan plant, making it the first 5G-enabled auto manufacturing unit in India.

Source: Financial Express

Link to Team-BHP News

[frewper]

Can someone explain, how setting setting up a private 5G network within a company is superior than going the traditional way of setting up an Ethernet based Wi-FI network. Even with the traditional system achieving speed and redundancy is pretty much given, then why go this way?

"Set up their own Wi-Fi and data network instead of taking the services from a telecom service" --> What does this statement mean exactly. Since you are again going back to a telecom provider to set up your own 5G network, so how is it different ?

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by frewper

Can someone explain, how setting setting up a private 5G network within a company is superior than going the traditional way of setting up an Ethernet based Wi-FI network.

I think its just the last mile connectivity that would be changing from WiFi to 5G. Backhaul to the private tower/network(s) will still be fiber to support the bandwidth demands.

I guess the advantage is that the factory and offices need not maintain the network with a bunch of owned/leased hardware like routers, switches, access points, client WiFi modules etc etc. I would consider it more like SaaS model where ISP (Jio) would need to maintain the network. Single tower can blanket the entire factory. Tesla would still a SIM module for every client-machine but if Mahindra already moved then it would mean it can be implemented even on rare production machines!

"Set up their own Wi-Fi and data network instead of taking the services from a telecom service" --> What does this statement mean exactly

It means writer does not know what they are taking about.

[PreludeSH]

Wireless networks can satisfy stringent quality of service (QoS) requirements unlike wifi. Its the machines that will also be on network and can co-operate in real time.

They also enable mobility among different base stations even within private networks without loss of data or degradation of QoS during such scenarios. BMW, Benz and thers already have 5G networks within their manufacturing facilities.

They can also bridge such private networks across geographic locations maintaining the quality. Wireless networks like 4G/5G are very mature and provide greater quality, guaranteed service etc even when inter-operating among different vendors.

[antz.bin]

The news and the query intrigued me so I checked with ChatGPT. Here is what it came up with.

Originally Posted by ChatGPT

Setting up a private 5G network within a company offers several advantages over the traditional Ethernet-based Wi-Fi network. Here are some reasons why organizations might choose to adopt a private 5G network:

1. Increased network capacity: 5G networks provide significantly higher bandwidth and lower latency compared to traditional Wi-Fi networks. This allows for the simultaneous connection of a large number of devices and supports bandwidth-intensive applications. Private 5G networks can handle the increasing demands of data-hungry devices, IoT devices, and real-time applications.

2. Enhanced security: Private 5G networks can offer improved security compared to traditional Wi-Fi networks. They can utilize dedicated spectrum and implement advanced encryption protocols to safeguard sensitive data. With a private network, companies have more control over their security measures, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

3. Lower latency and better reliability: 5G networks offer ultra-low latency, making them ideal for applications that require real-time data transmission. Industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and autonomous vehicles can benefit from the reduced latency and improved reliability of 5G networks, enabling faster and more efficient operations.

4. Quality of Service (QoS): Private 5G networks allow organizations to prioritize critical applications and devices, ensuring consistent performance and responsiveness. QoS mechanisms can be implemented to allocate network resources based on specific requirements, guaranteeing the necessary bandwidth and latency for mission-critical applications.

5. Seamless mobility: 5G networks support seamless device mobility, allowing devices to maintain connectivity while moving between different areas of a facility. This is particularly useful in scenarios where devices need to be mobile, such as in warehouses, logistics, or smart factories.

6. Edge computing capabilities: 5G networks can be combined with edge computing infrastructure to process data closer to the source, reducing latency and enabling real-time data analysis. This can be advantageous for applications that require immediate insights and decision-making, such as autonomous systems or augmented reality.

7. Customization and control: By deploying a private 5G network, companies have greater control and customization options over their network infrastructure. They can tailor the network parameters, coverage, and capacity to their specific needs, optimizing performance and resource allocation according to their requirements.

While traditional Ethernet-based Wi-Fi networks have their advantages, private 5G networks provide an advanced and future-proof solution that offers higher speeds, increased capacity, enhanced security, lower latency, improved reliability, and greater flexibility. However, the decision to adopt a private 5G network should be based on a careful assessment of the specific needs and requirements of the organization.

We can discuss this further since we now have quite a bit of information.

[mohan41]

Also from ChatGPT:

WiFi and private 5G are both wireless communication technologies that offer various advantages depending on the use case. Here are some advantages of WiFi over private 5G:

Widespread Availability: WiFi is widely available and accessible in most public spaces, homes, and businesses. It has an extensive infrastructure and a large number of compatible devices, making it easier for users to connect and access the internet.

Cost: Setting up and maintaining a private 5G network can be expensive, especially for small businesses or individual users. On the other hand, WiFi routers and access points are generally more affordable and readily available, making WiFi a cost-effective choice.

Device Compatibility: WiFi is compatible with a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart home devices, and IoT devices. Most modern devices come with built-in WiFi capabilities, allowing seamless connectivity without the need for additional hardware.

Network Capacity: WiFi routers typically support multiple devices simultaneously, allowing multiple users to connect and access the internet at the same time. This makes WiFi ideal for environments with high device density, such as homes, offices, and public areas.

Speed: In many cases, WiFi can provide faster data transfer speeds compared to private 5G networks. WiFi 6 and the upcoming WiFi 6E standards offer high-speed connections, especially when using compatible devices and access points.

Local Network Control: With WiFi, users have direct control over their network settings and configurations. They can customize security settings, manage access controls, and optimize network performance according to their specific needs.

Existing Infrastructure: Since WiFi has been widely adopted for many years, there is already a significant infrastructure in place. This existing infrastructure makes it easier to extend or upgrade WiFi networks, especially within homes and businesses.

It's worth noting that private 5G networks also have their own advantages, such as lower latency, higher capacity, and greater reliability in specific scenarios where dedicated network control is required, like industrial automation or critical communications. The choice between WiFi and private 5G depends on factors such as use case, budget, device compatibility, and specific requirements of the network deployment.

[volkman10]

Ambani's Reliance lobbies India on satellite spectrum in new face-off with Musk.

Fight over satellite broadband spectrum rages in India
Billionaire Ambani at odds with Elon Musk's Starlink
Reliance asking for consultation to start afresh, letter shows

Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance has argued that the telecom regulator incorrectly concluded that home satellite broadband spectrum should be allocated and not auctioned, intensifying a face-off with Elon Musk's Starlink.

The methodology of giving out spectrum for satellite services in India - a market set to grow 36% a year to reach $1.9 billion by 2030 according to Deloitte - has been a contentious issue since last year.

Musk's Starlink and global peers like Amazon's Project Kuiper back an administrative allocation, while Ambani - Asia's wealthiest man who runs India's Reliance Jio - is arguing for an auction process.

Starlink argues that the administrative allotment of licenses is in line with a global trend. Reliance says an auction is needed for a level playing field as foreign players could offer voice and data services and compete with traditional players.

Link:

[PreludeSH]

Are they allocating it for free ? For TV, direct to home services, do they just allocate spectrum without fees ?
They should be paying and not give a backdoor entry to foreign satellite providers. Also, it will not work if there are too many of such players and you would run short of bands.

[Mortis]

These network service providers are throwing spanners in the works for too many new technologies where they do not have a foothold.

-Satellite based internet. None of them have the capability to compete. This technology can provide consistent internet access in the most remote places.

- Blocking the sale of WiFi 6E and Wifi 7 routers that use the 6Ghz band for blazing fast speeds. They claimed that the 6 Ghz band should be auctioned and needs to be allocated accordingly. I don't think this was required for 2.4 and 5Ghz. What do they expect ? There are several manufacturers in this field and their customer base is a lot smaller than network providers. Is each of them supposed to bid hundreds or thousands of crores for their slice of this spectrum just to sell Wifi Routers ?

[extreme_torque]

Originally Posted by PreludeSH

They should be paying and not give a backdoor entry to foreign satellite providers. Also, it will not work if there are too many of such players and you would run short of bands.

What do you mean "backdoor" entry? India is a member of the ITU and signatory to its treaty that regulates satellite spectrum and its designated by the ITU as shared spectrum for satellites and as such cannot be auctioned.

[PreludeSH]

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

What do you mean "backdoor" entry? India is a member of the ITU and signatory to its treaty that regulates satellite spectrum and its designated by the ITU as shared spectrum for satellites and as such cannot be auctioned.

Is it mandatory or just a working arrangement in vogue? I was just asking

With many satellite service providers coming up it might impact terrestrial operators. In future same spectrum used for terrestrial services will also be additionally used to provide seamless coverage. New standards are being worked out of which I am part of