SIM Cards for Private Network (How They Work)

Over the past 20 years technology has grown at a seemingly rapid rate. Now instead of clicking the numbers on your keypad over and over just to send a text message to someone, you use your touch screen phone with fingers fast as lightning writing full paragraphs in mere minutes. Those are some pretty exponential changes in such a short time and since technology has changed and evolved so much, so has our wireless network options. 

When we first say “wireless network” you probably imagine one of the big three: Verizon, AT&T, and/or T-Mobile first and foremost. That’s fair! They cover a wide demographic. But nowadays as more and more people get on the Smartphone train- (Consumer Affairs reported that 310 million, 92% of Americans, own a Smartphone), and with that comes plenty of privacy concerns regarding our internet data and wireless networks. 

Private Networks are a “discrete” cellular network that is customizable and most importantly- not connected to a public cellular network. It’s an option that’s growing more and more popular for businesses and individual consumers as it can provide you with service better in quality and security. But how? And could you get access to a private network with your devices? What options are there for SIM Cards for Private Network(s)? All of that and more will be answered in this online guide.

• A Deep Dive into Private Network(s) and how it all works
• How SIM cards for a private network work — do you need a new one? How is it installed? 
• What is DeWi?
• REALLY: The World’s First Fully Encrypted & Private Phone Service

A Deep Dive into Private Network(s) and how it all works

So we mentioned it above, but a private network is a discrete cellular network that is customizable and most importantly- not connected to a public cellular network or can be accessed by the general public. And since it’s private it can have dedicated resources, dedicated “user groups” and SIMs, and has customized KPI’s. But does all this mean? Well, thanks to STL Partners, they’ve broken down these key elements:

• Dedicated resources: These can include the network infrastructure, platform and/or spectrum. These resources are not necessarily physically dedicated, but can be logically dedicated, as in the case of network slicing. (Though it’s good to note the entire network doesn’t need to be dedicated, they only have to dedicate a few resources).
• Dedicated user groups/SIMs: Access is controlled and is limited to certain user groups. Users will have logically dedicated SIMS, which in some cases may be virtual.
• Customized KPI’s: The private network is designed and customized to meet use case requirements that can’t be met by best-effort public networks.

There’s no specific size to a private network, it can be locally contained to a building- like for a business, or as big as a city- like for a private wireless network. Any organization that has a lot at stake in digital transference- for example, companies that specialize in IT and that supply many with internet tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, big infrastructure businesses, and any one that needs to contain vast amounts of sensitive information as safeguarding that sensitive data is one of the biggest draws of a private network. More and more big companies are looking into private networks as research develops detailing how good they are for business.

These are some of the broader strokes of what it means to be a private network- the definition can get a bit “loosey goosey” as more and more try their hand at starting their own private network- but foundationally you’ll need the listed above key elements to really make your “private” network private. So let’s expand upon what makes those elements so worthwhile and add a few more for good measure so you can see the scope of what make a private network unique:

Dedicated Resources

In terms of “Public Network(s)” – (more on public networks later), all of their users will have access to and utilize their bandwidth but with a private network the users that have access to the private network won’t have direct access to the bandwidth resource. Which means that in the case of a public network where in times you’ll have slower data speeds, the private network will have a consistent flow that’s reliable compared to a public one.

Dedicated User Groups and SIMs

Only those with given access whether it be through a password or SIM card will be able to access the private network. That lowers chances of security threats as access to the network is very controlled compared to a public network where mostly anyone can sign up.

Customized KPI’s (Key Performance Indicator)

Case-to-case data and tech failures are monitored at a much closer level along with overseeing trends with those closer eyes that public networks can’t afford to do because of how vast they are.

Control Access

With a public network you might be unable to control certain aspects of different network options, private networks allow the user complete control over any network configurations that they want to change. You’re able to change security settings, like not allowing a certain user IP access, to deciding what kind of hardware users can use on the private network.

Better QoS (Quality of Service)

QoS is the scale that’s used to monitor the flow of signals and data speeds over technologies, i.e.: voice calls, video calls, gaming, and more. With a private network certain actions that may be slower on a public network will be faster as the QoS is controlled and monitored at a much closer and personal rate.

How does Private Networks “work?” (and what’s the difference between a “Private Network” and a VPN)?

You’ve got the basis for private networks, now’s the time to answer how they work. Essentially private networks are a computer network that takes typical address space- (address space is best defined as “the total amount of memory that can be addressed by the computer” – there are different kinds of address spaces which you can see here) and utilizes it. More specifically the computer network uses a private address space of IP addresses- (IP [Internet Protocol] addresses are a series of numbers you’ll find that help identify a device on the internet or in this case the local private network). 

We talked about how private networks are best used when handling important information and that’s where you’ll most likely find those private networks. Frequently you’ll see private networks used for offices or residential areas that use LANs- (LAN [Local Area Network] is a series of devices connected in one, physical, location. If you’re a big geek you might have been to a “LAN Party” where a hundred or so people gather in one room and all connect to play games).

There’s no “one” company that makes and mass produces private networks, it’s usually a case by case, and any company or person(s) with the right knowledge can make their own private network.

What’s the difference between a “Private Network” and VPN?

If you’ve been doing research into private networks you’ll notice that they are often compared to a VPN. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and since their names share a root word, one might be curious as to whether the two terms are the same.

Let’s first define what a VPN is, a VPN (Virtual Private Network), creates a secure connection between your digital device and a remote server owned and operated by the VPN network. It helps to encrypt your data and hides your IP address- allowing you to sidestep any potential firewalls or website blocks. It also helps prevent location tracking. 

VPNs connect securely, but through a public, unsecure network. That’s why it’s virtually a private network. Essentially it is connecting to a private network while on a public network.

• Here’s a good real-life example of VPNs: You’re at home and you sign up for and connect with NordVPN- (a popular VPN service). You’re still on your home network and access your home internet on your home router which is connected through your ISP (Internet Service Provider). But then you reach Nord’s Servers, they provide you with an IP and it surfs the web from there.

And bringing it back to SIM cards for private network(s), with a SIM card, you are connected to the Private Cellular Service, so you aren't on a public network, remote accessing a private one. You are just on a private network.

How SIM cards for a private network work — do you need a new one? How is it installed? 

Private Cellular Network “is a local area network that uses licensed, shared, or unlicensed wireless spectrum and LTE or 5G technology to create a dedicated network configured to support an enterprise’s specific requirements within a specific geographic area.” You get all the above benefits we talked about in our “Deep Dive” section as your wireless network- how cool is that?

The United States Navy and Airforce exclusively used something called the CBRS spectrum (CBRS stands for Citizens Broadband Radio Service) until it was released to everyone in 2015. After that release, private cellular networks began their climb.

But how do SIM cards for private network’s work? 

Well, each person wanting to be a part of a private cellular network must have a SIM card and that SIM requires authentication before you can join the network- (kinda like how you need to activate your SIM card if you join a new wireless network, but for private cellular it needs to go through proper channels). Administrators, the ones who will handle authenticating SIMs, and those working with the private cellular network can supply a person with a physical SIM, eSIM, or introduce dual SIMs.

• Physical SIMs are those microchips you have to physically handle and insert into your phone for it to work.
• eSIMs are the digital version of a regular physical SIM card. It’s embedded directly into the device and it’s activated via computer signals.
• A dual SIM or a dual SIM capable phone, a feature in phones ever since the iPhone 11/Galaxy S21-ish era, is a phone that holds the capacity for two (dual) SIM cards. It’s almost like having two phones in one. It can hold two numbers, like for instance you can have a work phone and a personal phone in one phone. The device holder can switch between the two and they can even be two entirely separate wireless services. 

With a dual SIM capable phone it’s now easier than ever to install an eSIM for a private network, whether it’s built personally or it’s owned by a company. And with those two SIMs users can receive that coverage and advantages from the private network when you’re in the coverage area. 

Do you need a new one?

If your phone isn’t dual SIM capable- (which is rare nowadays, as if you’ve kept up with getting a Smartphone in the last 5 years your phone most likely is dual SIM capable) or has an eSIM then yes you would need a new one. However- with dual SIMs you can get your eSIM downloaded directly onto your phone to access the private network. An example for iPhone users, “an eSIM or physical SIM that has been specifically provisioned for that network must be used.”

How is it installed?

Normally, just like private networks as a whole, it’s a case-by-case scenario to how physical SIMs and/or eSIMs are installed for private networks. The private network will usually have a guideline step-by-step detailing out what you need to do along with help if any problems should arise. REALLY, a private cellular network, helps out with this process but more on that later.

What is DeWi?

DeWi stands for Decentralized Wireless and it’s a relatively new way to stay connected to strong wireless signals. For traditional wireless networks “integration” has been their biggest selling point and with their widespread coverage, it’s safe to assume why it’s the most popular and accessible option. Although it’s well integrated, there can come a few issues including having to build, construct, and maintain cell towers. These networks that own the towers, mainly companies like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are a part of “centralized” wireless. 

DeWi, Decentralized Wireless, will instead sell network antennas to customers where they will act as their own beacon, or in more technical terms- nodes. Intriguing right? But what are nodes? 

Nodes act as either a redistribution path or an end point depending on how many devices and what the connectivity path(s) are. Cell towers and antennas are the nodes for our current 4G LTE technology which is, currently, the biggest broadband cellular network technology.

But with DeWi, there will be no big and tall cell towers and with no central cell towers, hackers will have a much much harder time trying to get into your personal online information, making it a very real highlight for data privacy and encryption. It’s like a walking private network.

See a full breakdown of DeWi from this related blog post: What is DeWi? Our Complete Guide to Decentralized Wireless Networks

REALLY: The World’s First Fully Encrypted & Private Phone Service

REALLY is the world’s first phone service that’s fully encrypted and is completely private. There’s no spying, no tracking, and no hacking. REALLY will never sell your data because they don’t have access to it! It’s a phone service for those who are concerned about their data privacy and you can join the waitlist here.

REALLY itself has a private network, so when people sign up they will be able to install REALLY’s eSIM to access their network- there’s no purchasing of a physical SIM, it’s all digital and if that sounds like something that might be a bit confusing, don’t worry as there’s a real person at REALLY ready to help you through the process of downloading and installing your eSIM. 

REALLY’s private network would have security and encryption enabled directly, so when you connect through them and their gateway, the connection is secure. It’s also Decentralized Wireless, it eliminates dead zones and is eco-friendly as there is less infrastructure attached. 

The mission of REALLY is to “build the world's largest people-powered mobile network, emphasizing privacy, eliminating dead zones, and unlocking universal connectivity.”

Their eSIMs are easy to install and you’ll have access to a private network which makes your internet browsing feel safer already. Private networks are here to give businesses and solo consumers feel like their data privacy is secure and REALLY is a part of that rising trend. 

And if you’re interested in other REALLY services like comparing and contrasting any wireless carrier to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill.