Hyper Times
Private 5G for Rail Depots and Yards: When It Beats Fibre and Public Mobile
A private 5G network gives a rail depot or yard its own 4G/5G coverage, on its own spectrum, with its own core and SIMs. It is the better choice when fibre would take months to install, public mobile coverage is weak or operational data must stay off the public internet.
Why depots and yards struggle with connectivity
Depots and yards are large, busy and often a long way from the nearest fibre. Running new cables means trenching across tracks, possessions and planning, which can take months. Public mobile networks were not designed around them either: coverage drops between sheds, under canopies and in cuttings and capacity is shared with everyone nearby.
At the same time, more equipment needs a connection. Maintenance teams use tablets and handheld readers. Trains download data when they return. CCTV, access control and condition sensors all want a reliable link and each one adds load to whatever network is there.
What a private 5G network is
A private 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) network is a dedicated cellular network built for one site and one organisation. Nothing is shared with the public, and traffic does not cross the public internet.
A typical Hyper Logical deployment has four parts:
- Radio head: a 4TRx software-defined radio mounted on a pole beside its antenna, supporting bands n40, n77 and n78.
- Fibre: tactical fibre reels with locking connectors link the radio to the server.
- Edge server: runs the radio software and the 5G core on site, in a portable case or a 1U rack.
- Network console: shows live and historic KPIs for every device on the network.
One cell covers roughly 1 km downlink with good line of sight and one core supports up to 1,000 active devices. The theoretical maximum downlink is 1.5 Gbps, using 100 MHz with 4×4 MIMO; real performance varies by site.
When private 5G beats fibre
Fibre is fast and reliable once it is in, but getting it in is the problem. Private 5G is a better fit when:
- Time matters: a private network can be deployed in days rather than waiting months for civil works.
- The site changes: yards are reconfigured, temporary works come and go and wireless coverage moves with them.
- Devices move: fibre connects fixed points; private 5G connects handhelds, vehicles and trains anywhere in the cell.
When private 5G beats public mobile
Public 4G and 5G are convenient but outside your control. Private 5G is the better choice when:
- Coverage is patchy: you place the radio where your site needs it.
- Capacity must be guaranteed: there is no shared bandwidth with the public.
- Data must stay private: traffic stays on your network, with no public internet exposure.
- You need control: you own the SIMs and can see every device in one console.
Buy, hire or start small
Operators do not have to commit to a full network on day one. Hyper Logical offers three routes: a single Pop-up cell, Pop-up Pro or a full Enterprise network designed for the site. Each option can be bought or hired, which suits both permanent depots and short-term works.
Plan a private network for your depot
To find out what private 5G could do for a depot, yard or lineside site, visit hyperlogical.com, call 0330 401 0001 or email hello@hyperlogical.com.
