The industrial private 5G network shows benefits even though the market is still small. In 2026, it is estimated that there will be a spending of 15 million euros, while the value of one single project is 175 million euros, distributed over more years, of which one project: Terna. The International Research Organization for 5G & Connected Digital Industry of Politecnico di Milano keeps investment outside the market estimate.

However, this project shows what can be useful for a network private. Terna aims to monitor remote electric substations and high-voltage lines, even where public coverage is weaker, and intervene on plants before a failure interrupts the service. Apart from Terna, the market grows by 15% in 2025, with nine new projects added to the 29 already active.

Logistics guides the number of initiatives, with 24% of the total, while universities and innovation centers are at the top for cumulative spending. In ports, where people and equipment move across extensive platforms, a dedicated mobile network can offer difficult-to-obtain coverage and continuity with other technologies. WiFi is ahead.

The 96% of large and very large enterprises interviewed use at least one fixed or WiFi network for their main activities. Among those who use mobile networks, 84% resort to 4G public and 50% to 5G standard. 'The 5G private, which seemed to represent an opportunity for a new role of telecoms in corporate strategies – says Marta Valsecchi, director of the International Research Organization for 5G & Connected Digital Industry – has remained a niche market. On the limited development weighs also the perception of connectivity as a commodity, rather than as a strategic element of business development.' And indeed, from the survey emerges that for 65% of the enterprises the greater obstacle is measuring the benefits and building a plan that justifies the investment.

Only 3% of respondents consider connectivity a lever to change the business model. Of course, as noted by Antonio Capone, scientific officer of the International Research Organization for 5G & Connected Digital Industry, it is 'the economic fragility of operators, whose capacity to invest has been eroded over years of fragmented market management'. Brussels can affect on the cost side.

The EU harmonized the 3.800-4.200 MHz for local networks, and 79% of the enterprises interviewed declare a medium or high interest for dedicated frequencies. The German experience gives the measure of the transition from licenses to construction. On an adjacent band, from 2019, there are almost 500 local assignments, but according to Politecnico, only a small part has translated into operational projects.

The advantage of common rules could be replicated in more countries, reducing the cost of every new installation. For the telcos, facing stagnant revenues, these new markets should be used to increase their competitiveness. For the telcos, the ones entering with stagnant revenues, they should be used to increase their competitiveness.