Benefits and usage scenarios
Deploying a private mobile network using Azure Private 5G Core at the enterprise edge ensures that the enterprise has complete ownership of all data. It also positions the packet core instance as close as possible to the devices it serves, removing reliance on cloud connectivity. Additionally, local data processing can ensure low latency levels and reduced backhaul for IoT applications.
Key benefits
Azure Private 5G Core provides the following key benefits:
5G core network functions
Each packet core instance that Azure Private 5G Core deploys is a set of 5G network functions. These network functions include the subscriber database, policy control, control plane, and user plane.
You can also configure a packet core instance to operate in 4G mode to support Private Long-Term Evolution (LTE) use cases.
Centralized service management
Azure Private 5G Core provides a centralized software lifecycle and service management for the private mobile network across multiple sites. You can use the Azure portal and Azure Resource Manager (ARM) APIs to carry out provisioning, orchestration, and monitoring tasks.
Flexible monitoring and troubleshooting options
For monitoring a private mobile network, Azure Private 5G Core allows you to monitor the sites in the network either centrally from the cloud or locally at each site.
For cloud monitoring, you can use platform metrics or an application of your choice. For local monitoring, Azure Private 5G Core provides the packet core dashboards, with which you can monitor a site in real time. If an issue is detected during network monitoring, you can use the distributed tracing tool to troubleshoot and find the root cause of the issue.
Usage scenarios
5G networks provide low latency, security, and high bandwidth, which puts Azure Private 5G Core in the optimal position to support Industry 4.0 use cases, such as:
- Automation - Production-line analytics and warehouse automation with robots.
- Video analytics - Video analytics for worker safety, airport safety, or drone applications.
- Remote edge deployments - Remote private mobile network deployments to, for example, oil or gas drilling sites.
- Defense - Command posts and battlefields connected with real-time analytics.