Private 5G vs Wi‑Fi 6: What’s Right for Your Business Connectivity?

Why this decision matters now

Hybrid work, high‑definition collaboration, cloud applications, mobile devices, scanners, cameras, AGVs and smart‑building systems all lean heavily on wireless. The question for UK IT and company leaders isn’t “Wi‑Fi or mobile?” in the abstract. It’s: “Which wireless platform should carry which workloads, today, and over the next five years, without over‑engineering or under‑serving the business?”

Two mature options dominate enterprise discussions:

• Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax)—ubiquitous, cost‑effective, brilliant inside offices and campuses, and the default for laptops, tablets and collaboration devices.
• Private 5G—mobile technology brought inside your estate, using locally licensed spectrum and a dedicated 5G core for managed mobility, determinism, and coverage in challenging spaces.

This article takes a pragmatic, outcome‑first approach. We’ll explain how each technology behaves, highlight the trade‑offs, and give you a decision framework that aligns with performance objectives, risk, budget and timelines.

If you’re starting with evidence, our Wi‑Fi site surveys provide the measured baseline for any wireless programme, from office floors to logistics hubs.

What private 5G is (and why it’s different)

Private 5G brings mobile technology on‑premises using locally licensed spectrum and a dedicated 5G core under your control (or a managed private instance). In practice you deploy small cells across your area, connect them back to a 5G core (on‑site or edge/cloud), and onboard devices via SIM/eSIM with centralised policy.

What you gain that’s materially different from enterprise Wi‑Fi:

• Managed mobility & handover: Seamless roaming at walking/vehicle speeds with network‑controlled handoffs.
• Deterministic scheduling: 5G radio schedulers provide consistent uplink and downlink performance; advanced profiles can target very low jitter for time‑sensitive tasks.
• Spectrum hygiene: Locally licensed/managed bands reduce interference from consumer devices—a boon in RF‑hostile or mission‑critical spaces.
• SIM‑based identity: Device identity and policy are tied to SIM/eSIM, simplifying zero‑touch onboarding for rugged devices and machines.

Where it shines:

• Industrial & logistics (AGVs, robotics, scanners that roam across large, metal‑dense spaces)
• Large venues & campuses (consistent mobility, predictable uplink for broadcast or safety comms)
• Outdoor or mixed estates (yards, compounds, car parks, perimeters)
• Security‑sensitive workflows requiring strong device identity independent of OS/user stack

What it asks of you: New skills (or a managed partner), spectrum licensing, a 5G core, SIM lifecycle management and device ecosystem planning.

Head‑to‑head: strength‑by‑strength comparison

0.1 Coverage & Propagation

• Wi‑Fi 6: Great indoors; 5 GHz is predictable in typical office floorplates. Coverage is cell‑based, with more APs where walls/attenuation demand.

• Private 5G: Mid‑band cellular propagates better through obstacles and across large spaces; you’ll typically need fewer small cells than equivalent APs for the same footprint—especially outdoors or in high‑bay warehouses.

0.2 Capacity & Concurrency

• Wi‑Fi 6: Excellent aggregate throughput at a very low unit cost; supports dense client populations well when RF is engineered and channels are planned.

• Private 5G: Strong at predictable capacity per device due to central scheduling; excels where uplink determinism matters (e.g., video streams from moving cameras).

0.3 Latency & Determinism

• Wi‑Fi 6: Sub‑20 ms one‑way is normal in well‑designed offices; jitter is acceptable for collaboration, voice and most industrial scanning.

• Private 5G: Can deliver tighter jitter bounds and more consistent latency under load—useful for time‑sensitive control, mobile robotics, or safety‑critical comms.

0.4 Mobility (roaming)

• Wi‑Fi 6: Fast roaming exists but is client‑driven and depends on implementation. For human mobility it’s fine; for vehicles or AGVs at pace, it can be less predictable.

• Private 5G: Network‑controlled handover is a core design principle. It’s the default answer for smooth, predictable mobility at speed.

0.5 Security Model

• Wi‑Fi 6: WPA3‑Enterprise, certificates and identity platforms give robust security. Device posture and micro‑segmentation often sit above the radio.

• Private 5G: SIM/eSIM‑anchored identity + policy at the mobile core. Useful where you want security independent of user OS and where devices are “headless”.

0.6 Device Ecosystem

• Wi‑Fi 6: Ubiquitous across laptops, tablets, phones and UC devices.

• Private 5G: Growing, but you must plan for modems, modules or dongles—especially for laptops and speciality equipment. Rugged handhelds and scanners increasingly offer 5G SKUs.

0.7 Cost & Complexity

• Wi‑Fi 6: Lower CAPEX/OPEX per area covered; fits easily into LAN operations and facilities workflows.

• Private 5G: Higher design/ops complexity (spectrum, core, SIM lifecycle). TCO pays back where mobility, determinism or RF hygiene are business‑critical.
  

Coexistence is often the winning architecture

Most medium‑to‑large UK estates will run Wi‑Fi 6 for people and productivity apps and private 5G for roaming machines and critical mobility. Think of it as two lanes on the same motorway:

• Wi‑Fi lane (productivity): Dense capacity for laptops, tablets, UC, collaboration boards, guest.

• 5G lane (operations): Deterministic mobility for scanners, cameras on vehicles, AGVs, rugged handhelds, and specialist IoT.

Coexistence doesn’t need to be complicated. You’ll segment at the edge (SSIDs vs. PLMNs/SIMs), apply zero‑trust controls consistently, and share the same structured cabling, PoE, and fibre backhaul. Operationally, each lane has its own management plane, with clear ownership boundaries.

Cabling, power and backhaul: foundations for either choice

No radio performs well on a weak foundation. Whether you pick Wi‑Fi, private 5G or both, expect to invest in:

1.1 Structured cabling (horizontal)

• Cat6a as baseline for new pulls: supports multi‑gig uplinks (2.5/5/10 GbE) and higher‑power PoE without thermal surprises.

• Density planning: Wi‑Fi APs typically outnumber 5G small cells in the same area; plan outlet locations accordingly.

1.2 Switching and PoE

• Multi‑gig access for high‑density AP banks or 5G small cells with multi‑gig fronthaul.

• PoE budgets: New tri‑radio APs and some small cells draw PoE+/bt‑class power. Model worst‑case and manage bundle thermals.

1.3 Fibre backbone & core

• 10/25/40/100 GbE runway between access and distribution/core.

• Resilience: Diverse risers and dual‑homed TRs so a single incident doesn’t darken a floor. (If you’re assessing readiness, a structured survey is the shortest path to clarity—book Wi‑Fi site surveys to start with evidence.)
  

Security and policy: same principles, different levers

• Identity: Wi‑Fi 6 typically anchors to WPA3‑Enterprise and directory‑backed identities; private 5G uses SIM/eSIM at the mobile core.

• Segmentation: On Wi‑Fi, you’ll lean on SSID/roles/VLANs and micro‑segmentation; on private 5G, you’ll define network slices/APNs and route flows to equivalent policy engines.

• Zero‑trust posture: Treat both lanes as untrusted until proven; posture checks remain OS‑level for Wi‑Fi clients and device attestation/SIM profiles for 5G.
  

Governance and spectrum: keep it simple, keep it legal

Private 5G relies on local spectrum licensing and a mobile core. In the UK, that means working within Ofcom’s licensing frameworks for private/local spectrum and ensuring your providers can demonstrate compliance and coordination. A good partner will handle the mechanics—site surveys, interference coordination, licence applications, and neighbour analysis—so operations stay focused on outcomes, not bureaucracy.

Total Cost of Ownership and business case: where each earns its keep

• Wi‑Fi 6: Lowest cost per user and per square metre. The business case is straightforward: more capacity, better user experience, and productivity.
• Private 5G: Justify on operational outcomes, mobile robotics, uptime for moving cameras, safety comms in RF‑difficult spaces, and strong device identity at scale. When these outcomes carry cost or safety implications, private 5G pays back rapidly.
  

A practical decision framework (score your use case)

Score each statement 0–3 (0 = not important, 3 = mission‑critical). Add the totals by column.

Interpretation:

• Wi‑Fi‑leaning if Wi‑Fi > 2× Private 5G
• 5G‑leaning if Private 5G > 2× Wi‑Fi
• Coexistence if scores are within 2–3 points—split lanes by workload.

If your results point to coexistence across several verticals, you’ll benefit from our industry‑specific Wi‑Fi installations approach—templates for offices, warehouses, healthcare, education, retail and venues reduce discovery time and risk.

FAQ’s

Is private 5G faster than Wi‑Fi 6?
Both can deliver multi‑hundred‑megabit user experience; the real difference is determinism and mobility. Private 5G offers more predictable performance under movement and interference.

Do we need private 5G for offices?
Usually not. For offices with knowledge‑worker devices, Wi‑Fi 6 remains the right default. Consider private 5G only if specific mobility or security outcomes justify it.

Can we run both?
Yes. Many estates do. Use Wi‑Fi for people and 5G for roaming machines/critical ops. Segment policy and keep foundations (cabling, power, fibre) shared and resilient.

Will private 5G replace our DAS for indoor mobile coverage?
It can—subject to spectrum and operator integration—but the business case differs from operations‑focused private 5G. Treat public‑mobile coverage and private‑ops connectivity as distinct workstreams.

Is Wi‑Fi 6 good enough for warehouses?
A: Often yes—especially for pedestrian workflows. If you have vehicles/AGVs, long aisles, heavy metal and strict mobility needs, private 5G may offer more predictable results.

Do our laptops work on private 5G?
A: They can—with embedded 5G modules or certified USB modems. You’ll also need SIM/eSIM provisioning and policy integration.

What’s the biggest hidden cost in private 5G?
A: Operational complexity: spectrum licensing, 5G core management and SIM lifecycle. These are manageable, but budget for partner support or internal capability.

Can Wi‑Fi 6 and private 5G share backhaul?
A: Yes. Both ride the same Cat6a/fibre foundations. Keep fault domains and management separate, but share the plant for efficiency.

Final thoughts & next steps

Choosing between private 5G and Wi‑Fi 6 isn’t about backing a winner; it’s about allocating the right tool to the right job and engineering the underlying plant so either option performs on day one and year five. For most UK organisations, Wi‑Fi 6 is the baseline for people and collaboration; private 5G is the specialist system for mobile operations and deterministic performance in difficult spaces.

If you want a decision grounded in evidence, not assumptions:

• Begin with an on‑site survey and modelling to size the opportunity and cost.

• Harden cabling, power and fibre backbones before refreshing radios.

• Pilot where the business benefits are most obvious, then scale with intent.

When you’re ready, we’ll scope, design and build the solution that fits your estate:

• Wi‑Fi site surveys – evidence‑led planning for offices, campuses and industrial spaces

Wireless network installation & support – end‑to‑end delivery from cabling to commissioning