Private Wireless Networks in Smart Cities: Architectures, Performance Analysis, and Deployment Strategies
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Private Wireless Networks in Smart Cities: Architectures, Performance Analysis, and Deployment Strategies
Rahul Bangera, Ellicott City, MD, USA.
Email: rahulmbangera@gmail.com
Abstract— The development of the "Smart City" concept has historically been limited by public cellular networks and the fragmentation of unlicensed connectivity standards. As cities transition from passive data collection to active, real-time automation, the need for deterministic latency, enhanced security, and widespread coverage has driven the adoption of a new architectural approach. This paper explores the emerging role of Private Wireless Networks (PWNs), particularly Private 5G (P5G) and Private LTE, which utilize shared-spectrum frameworks like the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) as the foundation for future urban management. Through a comprehensive technical comparison, this study demonstrates that Private 5G surpasses Wi-Fi 6 and LoRaWAN in mission-critical applications, especially those requiring mobility and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). Additionally, we review key deployments in Las Vegas (USA), Sunderland (UK), Liverpool (UK), Tucson (USA), and Brownsville (USA) to assess tangible impacts on traffic management, digital inclusion, public safety, and autonomous logistics. The research concludes that, despite regulatory and integration challenges, transitioning toward municipal "micro-operators" and neutral host architectures offers a viable path for sustainable, sovereign, and scalable smart city connectivity.
Keywords: Private 5G, Private LTE, CBRS, Smart Cities, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Wi-Fi 6, LoRaWAN, Connected and Automated Logistics (CAL), Network Slicing, Municipal Infrastructure.