The Department of Defense released its private 5G deployment strategy late last year, outlining plans to integrate advanced wireless networks across U.S. military installations. This comprehensive approach seeks to enhance operational efficiency, bolster security and support broader modernization initiatives.
We analyzed and extracted the key points from the strategy below.
At the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 5G Summit, top brass from the DOD—such as Principal Director for FutureG and 5G Dr. Thomas Rondeau—and various civilian agencies, like the National Science Foundation, will speak directly to industry to answer your burning questions about how 5G networks are being implemented in federal systems. Register now! It’s all happening on Feb. 27 in Tysons Corner, Virginia.
Key Objectives of the Strategy
The 5G deployment strategy is structured around three primary objectives:
- Alignment With Mission Needs
Private 5G networks will be tailored to the unique operational requirements of military installations, providing robust connectivity and precision to enable mission success. While commercial 5G solutions are anticipated to dominate, private networks will be deployed where commercial offerings fall short due to security or performance concerns.
- Secure and Accelerated Deployment
Accelerating the adoption of both private and commercial 5G networks is central to this strategy. The focus includes establishing policies and governance to ensure secure deployment with trusted vendors, especially for sensitive environments.
- Building an Open RAN Ecosystem
The strategy emphasizes the use of Open Radio Access Network, a.k.a. Open RAN, technology to enable greater interoperability and scalability across vendor equipment. Open RAN is considered critical for enhancing the flexibility and security of military communication networks.
Enabling Department-Wide Modernization
The deployment of private 5G networks aligns closely with the Pentagon’s overarching modernization goals. Speed, scalability and secure data-sharing capabilities are crucial for advancing operations such as Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control. CJADC2 relies on seamless communication between disparate military systems, for which 5G serves as a backbone to facilitate real-time data transfer and comprehensive battlefield insights.
Beyond military operations, 5G networks will improve quality-of-life services for personnel at installations, providing high-speed connectivity for both mission-critical and non-mission applications.
Implementation Strategy
The DOD’s Office of the Chief Information Officer has tasked its 5G Cross-Functional Team with overseeing the deployment process. This team is responsible for developing governance policies, identifying limitations of existing commercial networks and guiding private network implementations. Additional directives and reference documents are expected to be released soon, providing more clarity for stakeholders.
The leader and driving force behind the 5G Cross-Functional Team is Juan Ramirez, who will be a keynote speaker at the 2025 5G Summit, from Potomac Officers Club. Register for the Feb. 27 event today!
Applications for Contractors and Enterprises
The integration of private 5G offers numerous opportunities for government contractors to align their offerings with DOD requirements. Areas where contractors can make an impact include:
- Infrastructure Development
Designing and deploying Open RAN-compatible private networks that emphasize scalability and flexibility.
- Security Solutions
Creating advanced security protocols to meet the stringent needs of military operations.
- Data Transfer and Analysis Technologies
Providing tools that ensure seamless and secure data flow within CJADC2 frameworks, enhancing decision-making speed and accuracy.
Contractors and enterprises involved in telecommunications, cybersecurity and AI-driven analytics should position their solutions to align with these objectives.
Future Outlook
The DoD’s private 5G rollout is just one element of a broader strategy to maintain technological superiority. The department’s commitment to leveraging emerging technologies underscores the need for contractors to remain informed and innovative.
Join a vital GovCon-centric conversation on the latest in telecommunications tech at the 2025 5G Summit on Feb. 27.
