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Private networks · UK business guide
Private 5G vs DAS: which does your site need?
Private 5G connects your operational devices to a network you control. A distributed antenna system (DAS) brings public mobile coverage inside your building. A UK manufacturer can need both: public reception for staff and visitors, and a private network for robots, cameras and production equipment.
Compare private 5G and DAS by the service you need
| Requirement | Private 5G | Public mobile DAS |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Connect authorised operational devices | Bring public mobile service into the building |
| Who connects | Devices provisioned for the private network | Phones with service on the networks included in the installation |
| SIMs | Private-network credentials and compatible devices | Existing public mobile subscriptions |
| Traffic destination | Business applications through the chosen private core and data path | The mobile operator’s network |
| Typical factory role | Robots, machine gateways and inspection cameras | Calls and mobile data for staff, contractors and visitors |
| Design dependency | Spectrum, device support, core and application requirements | Signal source, operators, building layout and distribution |
Many sites need both DAS and private 5G
A manufacturer needs reception for the supervisor’s phone and a controlled network for shop-floor robots. A hospital needs public mobile coverage for people and a separate, qualified connection for operational devices. Solving one requirement does not remove the other.
Seneca delivers both. We can survey and install them together through one coordinated programme, sharing access planning and suitable infrastructure. The design still separates the public mobile service from the private device network.
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Operational connectivity
Start with Private 5G networks →
How DAS receives and distributes the mobile signal
An off-air repeater DAS receives outdoor mobile signals and distributes them through indoor antennas. Its design depends on the available donor signals. An operator-connected system takes an agreed signal source from the mobile operators and distributes it across the estate.
Active distribution uses powered components; it is not, on its own, a description of where the signal comes from. The signal source, radio technologies and operators must be specified alongside the distribution design.
Private 5G and DAS costs for the same factory
Private 5G: £35,187 to £53,783 ex VAT across the two factory scenarios below.
| Same indoor factory | Private 5G, ex VAT | Four-network LTE DAS, ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 m², one floor | £35,187 1 indoor radio(s), 40 SIMs | £29,539 |
| 5,000 m², one floor | £53,783 3 indoor radio(s), 100 SIMs | £49,928 |
DAS: £29,539 to £49,928 ex VAT. The lower and upper endpoints are the named 1,000 m² and 5,000 m² scenarios, not percentage allowances. Both use the Manufacturing profile, one floor and one-year support. Private 5G assumes 40 and 100 concurrent devices respectively; DAS assumes suitable outdoor signals for four-network LTE distribution.
Equal price does not buy equal capability. DAS gives public-network reception; private 5G gives an authorised device network. These are separate estimates, not a combined-project quote or an allowance for operator-fed active DAS.
All figures are installed calculator examples, rounded to the nearest pound: indicative; confirmed by survey; ex VAT. They include equipment, cabling, survey, design, installation, commissioning and one-year support. Private 5G includes core, radios, radio licences and the stated SIMs. Excludes travel and accommodation and optional hardware replacement. Application devices, application integration, internet backhaul and spectrum licence fees are outside these network examples.
Get an instant estimate → · Read the private 5G cost guide →
Choose the network from the device requirement
List the public mobile networks you need indoors separately from the machines, cameras and gateways you want to connect. Confirm private-network bands, SIM support and application interfaces before choosing the hardware. For medical equipment, device approval and clinical requirements remain part of qualification.
If the requirement is ordinary laptop access on a small site, assess Wi-Fi first. Read the Wi-Fi comparison →
DAS and private 5G sector applications
Private 5G for manufacturing → · Private 5G for healthcare → · DAS for manufacturing →
Questions about comparing DAS and private 5G
What is the main difference between private 5G and DAS?
Private 5G provides a network for authorised operational devices. Public mobile DAS distributes mobile-operator service inside a building. They are different services, not tiers of the same product.
Can a factory use private 5G and DAS together?
Yes. DAS supports public mobile reception for staff and visitors while private 5G connects qualified operational devices. Seneca can survey and install both through a coordinated programme.
How much do private 5G and DAS cost for the same site?
For the 1,000 m² factory example, private 5G is £35,187 and four-network LTE DAS is £29,539 ex VAT. At 5,000 m² the examples are £53,783 and £49,928. Both include installation and one-year support; survey confirmation and the stated exclusions apply.
Does DAS give us control of the mobile operator’s network?
No. DAS improves distribution of the public mobile service within the premises. It does not give the business control over the operator’s core or turn public subscribers into private-network devices.
Request a quote for DAS, private 5G or both
Tell us about your site, devices and the work you need to connect. We will scope delivery and ongoing support around those requirements.
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