Apple Announces Support for Private Networks, Network Slicing for iPhones and iPads

Cellular phones and COTS devices like IPads are increasingly used to interface with industrial equipment.  These devices are particularly popular for use by personnel, such as field workers and service technicians whose activities necessitate remote or mobile capabilities.  Remote and mobile applications are also key targets for emerging cellular-based private networks.

Leading cellar phone supplier Apple has announced that its iPhones and IPads that support its iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems, respectively, now support private, data-only LTE, 5G NSA (Non-standalone) and 5G SA (Standalone) cellular networks.  An eSIM or physical SIM that has been specifically provisioned for that network must be used to connect the iPhone or iPad to a private network, plus the SIM and private cellular network must use a supported Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC) that are designated for private network use.

Connections from an iPhone or cellular iPad to a private 5G or LTE network use a supported frequency band approved by the regulatory authority of the country where the device is being used. Compatibility will vary by iPhone and iPad model and country or region where the device is being sold.

By creating a geofence, the iPhone can seamlessly switch between a private network SIM and a carrier SIM as the user moves in and out of private network coverage. When they enter the geofence, the private network SIM is enabled, then automatically disabled when they exit the geofence and leave private network coverage. The Private Cellular Network payload allows defining up to 1000 geofences, each with a radius ranging from 100 meters to 6.5 kilometers. This feature is only available when using a single private network eSIM or physical SIM on the iPhone.

Managing 5G Network Slicing

iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 offer the ability to assign specific network slices to managed apps on their carrier's 5G Standalone (SA) network. This causes all traffic for a designated managed app to be routed to the slice identified by a specified Data Network Name (DNN). The ability to assign network slices is available through the corresponding MDM app installation and settings commands or declarative app configuration. (Declarative app configuration will be available in a future update to iOS 17 and iPadOS 17.) If both Network Slicing and VPN are configured for an app or device, the VPN connection takes precedence over the Network Slice, rendering the Network Slice unused.

Users must consult with their cellular carrier to set up a network slice. The DNN assignments for network slicing may vary based on carrier, plan, or subscription.

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