Private 5G vs Public 5G
Private 5G runs on enterprise or industrial premises, often with local spectrum and a local core. Public 5G is the MNO service. Same standards, radically different threat model.
| Attribute | Private 5G | Public 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Enterprise / integrator | MNO |
| Spectrum | Local licensed (CBRS, DE 3.7 GHz) | MNO-licensed |
| Roaming exposure | Often none | International IPX |
| Core | On-prem or edge-hosted 5GC | MNO 5GC |
| Threat model | IT/OT convergence, insider | Signaling, fraud, mass surveillance |
| Regulatory | Enterprise obligations | Full telecom compliance |
Verdict
Private 5G buyers who copy MNO security controls (signaling firewalls, roaming defenses) overspend where the risk is not. Their real exposures are IT/OT segmentation and physical access to the local core. Public MNO controls do not translate 1:1.