- Private 5G and Wi-Fi are often complementary rather than direct replacements.
- DAS and small-cell designs have different fibre, Ethernet, power and mounting requirements.
- UK spectrum access must be resolved with Ofcom or an appropriately licensed service provider before the final hardware design.
Private 5G is arriving in UK commercial buildings
Private 5G is used in selected manufacturing, logistics, campus and other controlled environments where mobility, coverage or service-level requirements justify it. Adoption in offices is use-case led. It should be assessed alongside enterprise Wi-Fi, public mobile coverage and neutral-host options rather than assumed to be the default next step.
Understanding what private 5G actually requires from the building’s cabling infrastructure, and how it relates to existing Wi-Fi and structured cabling systems, is essential for any IT Director or Facilities Manager considering a private 5G project.
How in-building 5G works: DAS and small cells
In-building 5G coverage is typically delivered by one of two mechanisms: a distributed antenna system (DAS) or small cells. A DAS uses a central head-end unit, connected by fibre optic cabling to remote antenna units (RAUs) distributed around the building. The head-end amplifies the 5G signal and distributes it to each RAU, which radiates it into the local area. Small cells are self-contained 5G base stations, physically smaller than a traditional macrocell, that are connected by Cat6A or fibre to the building’s network and provide coverage in their immediate vicinity.
Both approaches require passive infrastructure, but not one universal specification. A DAS may use single-mode fibre or vendor-specific transport between the head-end and remote units. Small cells may use copper Ethernet or fibre and may require local mains power or PoE. Use the selected vendor’s design and power data.
The question is not whether private 5G needs structured cabling. It does. The question is whether the building’s existing cabling infrastructure can support the 5G deployment, or whether a cabling upgrade is required alongside the 5G equipment installation.
A small cell or radio unit connected through a link that cannot support its required speed, loss budget or power class may operate with reduced capability or fail commissioning. Test the route and confirm the exact equipment requirement.
Private 5G vs enterprise Wi-Fi: the right questions
Private 5G is not automatically a replacement for enterprise Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi remains well suited to general user connectivity, while private 5G may be selected for particular mobility, coverage, device-management or quality-of-service requirements. The decision should be based on measured applications and a radio design.
A building supporting both technologies needs a coordinated passive-infrastructure plan. Confirm the access-point and small-cell models, uplink speeds, fibre requirements, PoE classes, mounting locations, VLANs and total switch power budget. Cat6A is often chosen for new multi-gigabit copper links, but it is not a universal private 5G requirement.
DAS and small-cell systems need passive infrastructure, but the fibre, copper, power and topology must follow the selected radio design and vendor specification.
Ofcom spectrum and the licensing requirement
UK private-network deployments require an appropriate route to spectrum access. This may involve an Ofcom Shared Access licence, another applicable licence or a managed service that includes spectrum rights. The correct route depends on the frequency, location, power and service model, so it should be confirmed before final hardware selection.
The most common approach for commercial buildings is to work with a managed private 5G provider who licenses spectrum, supplies the core network equipment and manages the 5G infrastructure as a service. The building owner or tenant is responsible for the passive infrastructure, the structured cabling, the comms room space, and the physical mounting points for small cells or RAUs. ACCL provides the passive infrastructure element.
Warehousing and logistics: private 5G may suit autonomous equipment, tracking or operational systems where the radio survey and application requirements show a need for managed mobility, predictable coverage or service differentiation. Wi-Fi may also meet these requirements in some environments.
Manufacturing: Machine-to-machine connectivity for AI-driven quality control, predictive maintenance and autonomous production line management. Private 5G provides the deterministic connectivity these processes demand.
Large commercial campuses: Seamless connectivity across multiple buildings, car parks and outdoor areas where Wi-Fi coverage is impractical. Private 5G with outdoor small cells bridges the gaps.
Standards and sources
- Ofcom Shared Access licencesUK local spectrum access for private networks
- Ofcom spectrum informationFrequency use and licensing guidance
Frequently asked questions
What structured cabling does a private 5G network require?
The requirement depends on the architecture and hardware. DAS deployments often use fibre between a head-end and remote units. Small cells may use copper Ethernet or fibre and may be powered by mains or PoE. Confirm the vendor’s link speed, optical budget, power class, synchronisation, mounting and environmental requirements before specifying the passive infrastructure.
Can private 5G replace Wi-Fi in a commercial office?
Private 5G is not a replacement for enterprise Wi-Fi in most commercial office environments. Wi-Fi remains the appropriate technology for staff laptops, mobile devices and general office applications. Private 5G serves specific use cases requiring deterministic low latency, guaranteed throughput for machine-to-machine connectivity, or seamless outdoor-to-indoor coverage. The two technologies are complementary and are increasingly deployed in parallel in buildings with diverse connectivity requirements.
Do I need an Ofcom licence for a private 5G network?
You need an appropriate right to use the spectrum. This may be obtained through an Ofcom licence or through a managed provider whose service includes spectrum access. The route depends on the band, location, power and deployment model. Confirm it with Ofcom or the chosen specialist provider before ordering the radio hardware. Ofcom is styled with an initial capital only.
What is a DAS and how does it differ from small cells?
A distributed antenna system uses a central source and remote radio or antenna units distributed through the building. The transport between them may be fibre or vendor-specific infrastructure. Small cells are local radio units serving a smaller area and may connect by copper Ethernet or fibre. The preferred architecture depends on coverage, operators, spectrum, capacity, building size and the chosen vendor.