Celona has launched an access point (AP)-only private 5G solution to support AI-driven operations in industrial environments.

Dubbed AerFlex, the offering is a cloud-controlled private 5G platform that relies on plug-and-play access points instead of specialist servers to provide high-performance wireless infrastructure in Wi-Fi-deficient areas.

The product splits network functions between Celona access points and the cloud while utilizing Celona’s unified private 5G operating system.

Focusing on smaller and more distributed environments, Celona is promising modest-sized enterprises granular 5G control and industrial AI use without the need for servers and their lengthy deployment times.

This positions the company against Nokia and Ericsson, alongside networking names such as Cisco and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).

Ericsson recently revamped its private 5G push, offering private 5G networking products that can support licensed spectrum and a neutral host offering that is compatible with all the major U.S. cellular operators.

Cisco, meanwhile, partnered with NEC last year to advance its private 5G ambitions, building on its multi-carrier launch from 2022.

In addition, last year saw HPE aim to streamline the deployment and management of 5G private cellular networks through its Aruba Networking Enterprise Private 5G offering.

Of its rivals, one has been explicitly named by Celona as in its crosshairs. In conversation with SDxCentral, the vendor argued it is a viable enterprise alternative in the private 5G market, particularly against market heavyweight Nokia.

Founded in 2019, the vendor is banking on the increasing traction of private 5G. Recent ABI Research found that manufacturing firms are increasingly integrating private cellular solutions into their operations, namely in 4G LTE, but with 5G on the ascent.

The allure of AI is a likely catalyst, with Omdia citing AI-powered use cases as a central reason manufacturing is the largest and fastest-growing vertical for private 5G networks.

With this increased interest, SNS Telecom & IT has predicted that close to 60% of the forecast $6 billion in private network investments by the end of 2027 will be directed toward the build-out of standalone private 5G networks.