Nokia, ZTE, and Ericsson as Leaders in Private 5G Network Infrastructure

A recent competitive analysis by Omdia has ranked Nokia, ZTE, and Ericsson as the top three vendors in the emerging private 5G network infrastructure market. The assessment, which reviewed nine end-to-end providers, highlights these companies’ technological maturity, strategic commitment, and capability to deliver full-stack solutions customized for enterprise use across various industries.

Private 5G networks are transitioning beyond basic connectivity solutions to become comprehensive platforms addressing the unique needs of complex vertical markets. Early investment in the space has often resulted in stronger product maturity and competitive advantage, but the dynamics of the market are rapidly evolving as enterprise demands and new use cases continue to emerge.

Success in the private 5G sector increasingly depends on making strategic decisions—such as integrating private 5G with Wi-Fi, targeting mission-critical use cases or niche verticals, or combining edge computing with artificial intelligence capabilities. Despite the potential, the market has proven challenging for many vendors and service providers. Notably, efforts to develop broad tier 2 and 3 distribution models have largely failed.

Vendors now understand that private networks demand a specialized approach with a select number of focused partners rather than expansive distribution strategies. Those unable to bridge the gap between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) have struggled to gain traction. Effective deployment in this domain requires close coordination between IT and OT teams from the outset.

“While the industry often touts enterprises as the next big frontier for 5G, those involved in private networks are doing the hard work of converting the vision into tangible revenue,” said Pablo Tomasi, Principal Analyst for Private Networks and Enterprise 5G at Omdia. “Private 5G offers vendors and their partners the chance to expand into adjacent areas beyond traditional connectivity. Nokia and ZTE, for example, support industrial use cases and systems integration to enable Industry 4.0. Ericsson and Celona are tackling indoor coverage gaps via neutral host models, while Huawei Enterprise Wireless is transforming railway operations through large-scale, mission-critical deployments.”

According to Omdia, these developments demonstrate how the private 5G market is maturing into a solution-oriented, industry-focused ecosystem.