Private 5G Network in a Box: What's Included

Private 5G and LTE network-in-a-box systems

A network in a box packages the parts of a private LTE or 5G network (radios, core software, SIMs and management) so they arrive configured to work together. Designs differ: some run the core inside the radio, others on an on-site server or controller, often with management from the cloud^[1]^[2]^[3]. On CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum each radio must still register with a Spectrum Access System (SAS) before it transmits, so ask whether SAS service is part of the package^[4].

13 products from 10 vendorsUpdated Oct 1, 202617 sources

What to compare

What is actually in the box

Compare the parts list line by line. Ericsson's on-site controller, for example, bundles a dual-mode 4G/5G core, VPN, logging, a domain proxy, a SIM manager and lifecycle management^[2]. Samsung packages baseband, radio, core and a management system as a one-box solution^[5].

Where the core runs

The core can be embedded in the radio, run on a server at your site, or run in a cloud. Celona offers cloud-controlled AerFlex or an on-premises Celona Edge for larger sites, and Nokia hosts its core functions on an on-site edge server^[6]^[3]. See core network software for the trade-offs.

Who operates it

Some systems are sold as a service. Nokia describes its Digital Automation Cloud Private Wireless with MX Industrial Edge (DAC PW/MXIE) as a subscription-based private wireless service that Nokia operates and manages, and Ericsson says certified specialists manage Ericsson Private 5G sites through its cloud-based Network Management Portal^[3]^[2]. Others hand you the controls. Decide which you want before you compare prices.

Room to grow

Check the limits on radios, devices and sites. Ericsson supports multiple sites that share a core at one central location^[2]. Smaller kits may cap the radio count: Waveform's network-in-a-box listing offers one to three radios^[7]. Private5G.com is operated by the team behind Waveform and RSRF.

LTE, 5G or both

Match the system to your devices. Ericsson offers dual-mode 4G/5G from core to radio, and Nokia's system supports 4.9G/LTE and 5G standalone^[2]^[3]. See devices for what phones, handhelds and cameras support.

Spectrum and SAS

Ask which SAS the system uses, whether the subscription is included, and what happens if that provider leaves the market. Google stopped taking new SAS customers in June 2026 and plans to shut its SAS down on June 10, 2027^[8]. Our guide to CBRS SAS administrators lists the alternatives.

What does a network in a box include?

Typical network-in-a-box components and what to ask about each
Component	What it does	What to ask
Radios	Base stations that serve your devices; on CBRS each one registers with a SAS before it transmits^[4]	How many, indoor or outdoor, Category A or B? See radios.
Core	Admits devices, sets up data sessions and routes their traffic^[9]	Embedded, on site or in a cloud? See core network software.
SIMs or eSIMs	Identify each device to the core; U.S. CBRS networks can use identities under the shared network code 315-010^[10]	How many are included, and who provisions more?
Management	Dashboards for radios, devices and access rights; Ericsson's is a cloud-based portal^[2]	Who has access, and what still works if the internet link drops?
SAS connection and domain proxy	The SAS assigns each radio its channels and maximum power^[11]. A domain proxy talks to the SAS on behalf of many radios^[12]; Ericsson includes one in its controller^[2]	Is the SAS subscription included, and with which provider?
Devices (in some bundles)	Phones, cameras or routers preconfigured for the network	Which devices are included, and do the ones you already own support your band? See devices.

As an example of a small kit, Waveform's network-in-a-box listing includes one to three indoor or outdoor CBRS radios running embedded 5G or LTE core software, pre-provisioned SIMs and remote onboarding support, and its camera bundle adds cameras that ship preconfigured with SIMs bound to the network^[7]^[13]. Private5G.com is operated by the team behind Waveform and RSRF. As of October 1, 2026, both Waveform listings are marked as coming soon^[7]^[13].

Network in a box, component build or turnkey project?

The technology is the same in each case. What changes is who chooses the parts, who integrates them and who runs the result.

Three ways to buy a private network
Path	What you get	What you still handle	Often fits
Network in a box	Radios, core, SIMs and management chosen and configured to work together	Mounting, power and cabling, devices, and the SAS account if it is not included	Pilots, single buildings or yards, teams without cellular specialists
Component build	Your choice of each radio, core, SIM platform and management tool	Integration, interoperability testing and ongoing support	Teams with radio and core skills, or with specific radio or core requirements
Turnkey project or managed service	Design, installation and often operation by a provider; Betacom, for example, designs, installs and operates its 5G as a Service networks^[14]	Requirements, site access and acceptance testing	Complex or multi-site projects, or organizations that do not want to run the network

The last column offers starting points, not rules; many projects begin on one path and move to another.

How equipment, supported networks and turnkey projects differ goes deeper. Waveform sells equipment and preconfigured, supported networks, and RSRF delivers turnkey installed projects; Private5G.com is operated by the team behind both.

Which network-in-a-box systems are on the market?

The systems below appear in our directory. They are listed alphabetically, inclusion is not a recommendation, and each description summarizes the vendor's own documentation.

Complete private network systems in our directory, as their makers describe them
System	How the vendor describes it
Celona Orion	Access points, the EdgeOS network operating system, Orchestrator AI management and Celona SIMs (physical and eSIM), deployed cloud-controlled (AerFlex) or with an on-premises Celona Edge^[6]
Ericsson Private 5G	Full-stack dual-mode 4G/5G system: radios including Radio Dots, two on-premises controllers per site with the core, domain proxy and SIM manager, and a cloud Network Management Portal^[2]
JMA Wireless Private Wireless Network	End-to-end private wireless platform built around JMA XRAN virtualized RAN software, for 4G and 5G on licensed, shared and CBRS spectrum^[15]
Mavenir Private Networks	End-to-end 5G system based on cloud-first, open architecture^[16]. In June 2025 Mavenir said it would refocus its Open RAN investment on 4G and 5G software while continuing to support existing hardware customers^[17]
Nokia DAC PW/MXIE	Subscription-based private wireless service combining radio, an on-site MX Industrial Edge server that hosts the core functions, and industrial devices; Nokia operates and manages the network^[3]
Samsung Networks private network solution	Baseband, radio, core and a management system packaged as a one-box solution^[5]
Waveform Private 5G Network-in-a-Box	One to three CBRS radios with embedded core software, pre-provisioned SIMs and remote onboarding support; marked as coming soon as of October 1, 2026^[7]

Private5G.com is operated by the team behind Waveform and RSRF.

Common questions

How much does a private 5G network in a box cost?

Price depends on the number and type of radios, core licensing, SIMs, support and whether operation is included. Waveform's listing, for example, says full specifications and pricing will be available soon^[7]; Private5G.com is operated by the team behind Waveform and RSRF. Our private 5G cost guide explains the cost drivers, and the project brief builder records what a supplier needs to quote.

Can a network in a box grow into a larger network?

Check the limits before you buy: radios per core, devices per core and sites per system. Some systems are built to span sites; Ericsson, for example, supports multiple sites that share a central core^[2]. Ask each vendor what the upgrade path looks like if you outgrow the kit.

Do I need IT or radio staff to run one?

It depends on the operating model. Nokia operates its DAC PW/MXIE service for customers, and Ericsson says certified specialists manage sites through its cloud portal^[3]^[2]. With a self-managed kit, your team handles SIMs, devices, monitoring and the SAS account.

Does a network in a box keep traffic on site?

Often, but check. Nokia's design terminates the user plane on premises and uses its cloud for orchestration rather than production data, and Ericsson's core runs on on-premises controllers^[3]^[2]. Ask where the user plane runs in any system you compare.

Does a network in a box include devices?

Some do. Nokia describes DAC PW/MXIE as combining radio, on-premises edge computing and industrial devices^[3], and Waveform's camera bundle ships cameras preconfigured for the network^[13]; Private5G.com is operated by the team behind Waveform and RSRF. Either way, confirm every device you plan to use supports your band; see our Band 48 and n48 device guide.

Sources

Neutrino430 indoor base station — Baicells. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Ericsson Private 5G — Ericsson. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
DAC PW/MXIE within OT ICS Environments: A Networking and Security Approach (white paper, v1.0) — Nokia, Jul 5, 2026. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
47 CFR 96.39: Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) general requirements — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), Sep 30, 2026. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Private Networks — Samsung Networks. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Celona Orion platform overview — Celona. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Coming Soon: Private 5G Network-in-a-Box — Waveform. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Google Exiting CBRS Spectrum Management — Broadband Breakfast, Jun 12, 2026. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
5G System Overview — 3GPP, Jan 10, 2023. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
IMSI Assignment and Management Guidelines for Shared HNI for CBRS Range (Version 2, July 2020) — ATIS IMSI Oversight Council. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
47 CFR Part 96: Citizens Broadband Radio Service (SAS functions in §96.53) — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), Sep 30, 2026. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Signaling Protocols and Procedures for CBRS: SAS–CBSD Interface Technical Specification (WINNF-TS-0016, V1.2.7) — Wireless Innovation Forum, Mar 21, 2022. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Coming Soon: Private 5G + Security Camera Network-in-a-Box — Waveform. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Betacom 5G as a Service (5GaaS) private wireless — Betacom. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Private Wireless Solutions — JMA Wireless. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Private Networks — Mavenir. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.
Mavenir Signs Debt Recapitalization Transaction to Drive Continued Growth — Mavenir, Jun 16, 2025. Accessed Oct 1, 2026.

Product facts on this page come from each product’s record and its cited sources.