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Mehmet Yavuz, Co-Founder and CTO at Celona, discusses the evolution of private cellular networks and their increasing role in enterprise connectivity. Yavuz highlights the shift from experimental deployments to large-scale operational use cases, particularly in industrial and OT environments. He shares real-world data from recent deployments, emphasizing the practical advantages of private 5G in addressing challenges like coverage at scale, rapid deployment timelines, and high-interference environments. The presentation also previews technical innovations, including dual-mode 4G/5G access points, edgeless core architecture, and the integration of AI-driven operations (AI Ops) to simplify the management of these networks.
Reflecting on the company’s seven-year journey, Yavuz emphasizes how their thesis of making cellular enterprise-friendly has gained significant traction. He provides specific examples of current successes, such as Cargill’s deployment across numerous sites and Mariana Minerals’ rapid four-week setup of a 400-acre mining facility. A major highlight is the expansion of private 5G into “AI factories” and data centers, where extreme electromagnetic interference (EMI) often cripples traditional Wi-Fi. By utilizing cellular technology’s 30 dB noise immunity advantage, these facilities maintain critical connectivity for technicians and augmented reality applications. Yavuz argues that private 5G is not replacing Wi-Fi but acting as a necessary complement for mission-critical, high-mobility, and outdoor industrial needs.
The presentation concludes with a look at future-proofing through Agentic AI and the introduction of the AP20 dual-mode access point. This hardware allows for simultaneous 4G and 5G operation, supporting transition strategies for legacy devices while enabling modern high-bandwidth applications. Celona continues to scale globally by adapting to various regional spectrum regulations, such as CBRS in the United States and mid-band allocations in Europe and Asia. By shifting the focus from basic connectivity to operational KPIs and integrated OT management, Celona aims to further simplify the deployment of private cellular networks so they can be managed with the same ease as traditional local area networks.
Personnel: Mehmet Yavuz
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