Private 5G vendors are accelerating their push for neutral host network models as an alternative to traditional Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), which continue to dominate in large public venues like airports, stadiums, and convention centers. While neutral host is gaining ground in enterprise and industrial environments due to its efficiency and cost advantages, DAS remains entrenched where single-operator optimization and high-capacity performance are still top priorities.
The growing appeal of neutral host stems from its ability to reduce capital and operational expenditures by eliminating the RF engineering complexity and extensive cabling associated with DAS. Enterprises can share physical infrastructure among multiple mobile network operators (MNOs), leading to faster deployments and simplified management. For many businesses, this shift aligns with broader goals around digital transformation and network modernization.
Yet, some enterprises are taking a third route—deploying fully private 5G networks with no connection to public macro networks or neutral host models at all. One high-profile example is Airbus, which in 2024 launched a global initiative to replace Wi-Fi with private 5G across its facilities. The company’s goal is to enhance digital operations through a highly secure, self-managed network infrastructure.
The company emphasized that independence from public mobile networks allows for greater cybersecurity and operational control—priorities that resonate with other manufacturing and engineering firms seeking similar autonomy.
While Airbus’s approach is exceptional in its scope and sector, most enterprises are opting for neutral host strategies. However, in high-density venues, DAS remains the preferred solution. Its centralized base stations and use of licensed spectrum (e.g., 700 MHz and 2.5 GHz) enable robust signal quality and minimal interference with outdoor macro networks. DAS also supports dedicated infrastructure for each MNO, allowing for performance optimization tailored to specific traffic patterns and event-driven surges.
Neutral host networks, by contrast, must balance the demands of multiple operators using shared resources—potentially compromising user experience if not carefully managed. But recent advances are helping to close the performance gap. Dynamic network slicing and finer-grained resource sharing now allow capacity to be allocated almost instantly among tenants. These capabilities have been further enhanced by 3GPP Release 18 (introduced in 2024), which simplifies network slice management in localized environments such as campuses and factories.
In the U.S., neutral host deployments using the CBRS band face constraints due to spectrum allocation windows that occur in minutes rather than seconds—limiting their flexibility compared to DAS. Still, innovation continues. Open RAN architectures are particularly promising for neutral host implementations. By sharing radio units (RUs) while allowing MNOs to retain control over distributed units (DUs) and core networks, Open RAN enables cost-efficient, multi-operator coverage without ceding visibility or control.
UK-based Boldyn Networks is actively advancing neutral host strategies through investments in Open RAN and strategic acquisitions. Its 2023 purchase of Cellnex’s private networks unit—including Finnish provider Edzcom—expanded Boldyn’s footprint across Europe, with over 50 private networks in countries like France, Germany, and the UK. A flagship project is underway in the London Underground, where shared 5G infrastructure will support multiple operators in the confined and complex tunnel environment—an ideal use case for the neutral host model.
As private 5G matures, the industry is shifting toward flexible deployment strategies that reflect the specific needs of each use case. Whether through DAS, neutral host, or fully private deployments, organizations are rethinking connectivity as a strategic asset—one that must balance performance, cost, security, and scalability in equal measure.
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