Private 4G/5G Learning Resources
If you want to learn how to design, build and manage a Private Cellular Network, there are some great resources available online. This post provides a regularly updated list of available documents, courses, and videos to help you on your learning journey.
It's an exciting time for wireless network engineers. Private Cellular Networks will help us solve problems that have challenged the capabilities of Wi-Fi technology to connect devices in demanding environments. When I first started exploring PCNs 5 years ago, the online learning resources were limited to 3GPP specifications and telco-focused articles.
Thankfully, some excellent resources are available for folks starting their learning journey today.
Getting Started
CWNP - Certified 5G LAN Specialist (C5S) Course and Exam - Free (for now)
"The C5S course provides learners with a vendor-neutral introduction to 5G LANs. This course starts with ensuring the attendee has a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts for private spectrum options, cellular wireless technology benefits, and key application drivers. The C5S course then builds towards providing the attendee with a comprehensive understanding of the functions and capabilities of a 5G LAN."
If you have a background in enterprise Wi-Fi, you will be very familiar with the specialist courses and certifications like CWNA provided by CWNP.
This course is an excellent place to start learning the basics of cellular network architecture and earn an industry-standard certificate. It will equip you with the knowledge required to decide how to use PCNs in your business and competently assess the various commercial solutions available.
While it was sponsored by Celona, a private cellular network vendor, it was designed to be vendor-neutral.
Format: Video and online examination. 📺 🙇
Price: Free, likely paid in the future.
Private 5G: A systems approach - Open source
If reading is your preferred learning method, this open-source book from the team at Systems Approach LLC should be your starting point. The book takes you through the 5G architectures you need to know, building knowledge, and deploying your own PCN using the Open5GS mobile core.
I know that other backfill learners like myself, who love to get hands-on as early as possible, then figure out why nothing is working, will return to this book regularly.
Format: Online Book 📖
Coursera / Qualcomm Wireless Academy: 5G for Everyone
Qualcomm provides the underlying wireless technology for much of the hardware used in PCNs, from mobile devices to base station radios.
This video-based course is getting fantastic reviews from Coursera students, is currently available for free enrollment, and provides a certificate you can share on LinkedIn. I haven't taken it myself yet but it's high on my list.
Format: Video and online examination 📺🙇
Waveriders Discord Study Group and Community
Wherever you are on your study path, join the Waveriders Discord to connect with fellow students and share your experiences with private cellular networking.