MWC26: Private 5G Networks - Druid Software Discuss the Future of the Market

Why It Matters

Private 5G’s rapid adoption in critical infrastructure gives operators and vendors a lucrative, resilient revenue stream while enabling governments and enterprises to safeguard operations amid climate and geopolitical uncertainty.

Key Takeaways

• Private 5G scaling evident in utilities, mining, emergency services
• Multi-site deployments expanding across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and utilities
• Ecosystem relies on 200+ partners across 30 countries for interoperability
• Resilience and security drive demand amid climate storms and geopolitical tensions
• Success defined by flexible contracts, customer satisfaction, and best‑in‑breed solutions

Summary

At Mobile World Congress 2026, Druid Software’s global head of partnerships, Tai Kenny, outlined how private 5G networks are moving from isolated trials to broader commercial scale, highlighting the sectors where momentum is strongest.

Kenny noted that utilities, energy, mining and public‑safety agencies are deploying dedicated connectivity to boost resilience against climate‑driven storms and security blackouts. Multi‑site rollouts are now common in pharmaceuticals, healthcare and large‑scale utility grids, with centralized management of hundreds of sites across regions.

He cited concrete examples: a roaming solution with Vodafone that equipped Irish police, search‑and‑rescue and ambulance services with real‑time video and situational awareness, and a remote‑site deployment in Australia where a single data centre oversaw two networks 3,400 km apart. Druid also showcased a live demo with Nokia and KPN at the show, underscoring the importance of interoperable hardware.

The discussion signals a maturing market where success hinges on a robust partner ecosystem—over 200 go‑to‑market partners in 30 countries—and on offering flexible, non‑lock‑in contracts. Vendors that can integrate best‑in‑breed components and deliver 24/7 support are poised to capture the high‑value, mission‑critical segment of private 5G.

Original Description

Tadhg Kenny, President of Global Partnerships, Head of Marketing and PR at Druid Software discusses the market and vertical focused reality of Private 5G networks, what a strong private network ecosystem looks like, what the future holds for the market and what will define the vendors that successfully scale, with Darius Lloyd, Consulting Director, STL Partners.

To learn more about Druid Software, please visit www.druidsoftware.com