• July 27, 2023

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Las Vegas has proven that private 5G can be a positive force for society with their 5G LAN deployment, creating the largest private network in the U.S. today. The network uses CBRS spectrum and is geared to help local businesses, government, and educational institutions. The network is also supporting telemedicine and remote learning, as well as some IoT capabilities. However, where does Las Vegas’ private 5G network go from here? 

Last September at Mobile World Congress, NTT, a leading global IT infrastructure and services company, announced the expansion of a private LTE and 5G project in Las Vegas that would make it the most extensive private network in the United States as well as the largest open, municipal CBRS deployment. This private 5G network is intended for innovation, to allow for new smart-city services.

So, what can we expect from the network in the future? Las Vegas Las Vegas CTO Michael Sherwood answered that question in the Private Networks Forum on May 23, 2023.

“It’s a network open to the people… For us, that brings companies here, it brings people here, it brings opportunity,” explained Sherwood. “And so, a lot of these things are not only about making Las Vegas the most technologically advanced city in the U.S., but it’s also about bringing the best opportunities, the best jobs, the best future state as well. It brings the best ideas together and minds together, which we just happen to love that it’s here.”

When asked about monetizing the network, Sherwood acknowledged the value of doing so, but he doesn’t see the city of Las Vegas going down that path at this moment.

“We’re really about delivering services. We’re not thinking of it as a utility at all,” said Sherwood. “We’re using it to serve the community, and so we don’t charge for the services, we don’t intend to charge. So, no monetizing. Although I’d love to say yes, I don’t see that as where we’re going as an organization.”

While still figuring out how to make this public network fit with the private sector, Sherwood stated that they are on the right path with a focus on maintaining a network that is for the community at the end of the day.

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Sources:

rcrwireless.com/20230726/private-networks/whats-next-for-las-vegas-citys-private-5g-network

services.global.ntt/en-us/newsroom/city-of-las-vegas-working-with-ntt-to-deploy-largest-private-network-in-the-us