The industry perspective on the relationship between private 5G and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks has gradually shifted from being competitive to cooperative and mutually complementary. Relevant technical specifications such as 3GPP's Access Traffic Steering, Switching &; Splitting (ATSSS) and Wi-Fi Broadband Alliance's private network and Wi-Fi roaming initiatives have been aggressively promoted. There are various instances of 5G and Wi-Fi heterogeneous networking deployments worldwide, aiming to integrate the technical characteristics of both technologies for diverse application scenarios and optimal cost-efficiency in network deployment. This report provides an overview of the private 5G and Wi-Fi networks, explores their respective technologies towards shared roaming, and examines the current use of heterogeneous networking in vertical domains.

Table of Contents

1. 5G and Wi-Fi Heterogeneous Networking Trends

1.1 Private 5G Network and Wi-Fi Becoming Increasingly Complementary with Growing Industry Emphasis on Heterogeneous Networking

1.1.1 Technical Advantages of 5G and Wi-Fi Become Enterprises' Primary Options for Private Network Deployments

1.1.2 Transition from Partial Competition between Private 5G Networks and Wi-Fi towards Heterogeneous Networking

1.2 Private 5G Networks and Wi-Fi Technologies Evolving towards Shared Roaming

1.2.1 Existing 5G Architectures Have Basic Connectivity Capabilities but Lack Advanced Application Standards

1.2.2 3GPP Rel-16's ATSSS Specifications Further Enhance Shared Scenarios Between 5G and Wi-Fi

WBA Aims to Promote Roaming Between Private 5G Networks and Wi-Fi through Open Roaming

2. Current Use of Heterogeneous Networking in Vertical Domains

2.1 Utilizing Heterogeneous Networking to Enhance Differentiated Services and Signal Coverage in Vertical Domains

2.1.1 Korean Sacheon Aerospace Industrial Park Deploys Private 5G Networks and Wi-Fi 6E Enterprise Networks

2.1.2 Boingo Wireless Provides Differentiated Services at Chicago O'Hare International Airport through Private 5G Networks and Wi-Fi 6

2.1.3 Hazama Ando Corporation Reduces Signal Blind Spots at Construction Sites Using Wi-Fi with Local 5G

3. MIC Perspective

Appendix

List of Companies

List of Tables

Table 1. Boingo Wireless' Application of 5G and Wi-Fi 6 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Table 2. Participants and Tasks for Local 5G Verification at Hazama Ando Corporation's Construction Site

List of Figures

Figure 1. Comparison of Technical Characteristics between Private 5G Networks and Wi-Fi 6

Figure 2. Industry Perspectives on the Competition between Private 4G/5G Network Solutions and Wi-Fi 6

Figure 3. Operators' Evaluation of Technical Choices for Deploying Dedicated Wireless Networks at Different Time Points

Figure 4. 5G Integration with WLAN Architecture in 3GPP Rel-15 Specifications

Figure 5. Application Scenario of 3GPP Rel-16's ATSSS

Figure 6. WBA’s Roaming Architecture between 3GPP-Based Private Networks and Private Wi-Fi Networks

Figure 7. Objectives and Application Scenarios of Korea's Sacheon Aerospace Industrial Park

Figure 8. Deployment Status of Private 5G Networks and Wi-Fi 6E in Korea's Sacheon Aerospace Industrial Park

Figure 9. Content of Boingo Wireless' Airport 5G Solutions

Figure 10. Deployment of Local 5G and Wi-Fi at Hazama Ando Corporation's Construction Site"