Cradlepoint’s NetCloud Private Networks (NCPN) is an end-to-end private cellular network solution designed for the needs of today’s dynamic enterprise IT ecosystems. Initially based on the 4G LTE Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum in the USA, NetCloud Private Networks is a cloud-native solution packaged to make it easy for enterprises to prioritize security and Quality of Service (QoS) while also enabling plug-and-play deployments that scale with an API-first design philosophy.
NetCloud Private Networks provides an added layer of security over and above SIM-based authentication. The added layer of security is built from the ground up using zero trust principles and is based on a granular and dynamic policy framework that is core to the architecture. The policies are applied based on the connection’s context, which includes network, user, device, environment, application, and cellular attributes.
Solution Architecture and Capabilities
NetCloud Interoperability
NetCloud Private Networks utilizes a unified cloud management and orchestration experience that delivers SD-WAN, enterprise-class security, cellular intelligence, and advanced analytics at the edge through full interoperability with NetCloud Manager — all managed through a single pane of glass. NetCloud Manager intelligently integrates the CBRS Spectrum Access System (SAS) to manage and prevent interference. To optimize network coverage and QoS, RF planning tools are included as part of NetCloud Manager.
Mobility Gateway
Built around a converged 4G/5G cellular core, NetCloud Private Networks has the flexibility to be deployed on the enterprise premises or in the cloud, thus enabling enterprises to maintain their data locally while still benefitting from the power of cloud-based configuration and policy management. With this inherent flexibility, the NetCloud Private Networks Mobility Gateway enables secure access to enterprise data services from authenticated cellular endpoints.
Cellular Access Points
The NetCloud Private Network solution includes plug-and-play Cellular Access Points (CAPs) that support the 4G LTE CBRS spectrum band 48. Sometimes referred to as small cells, these CAPs form the private Radio Access Network (RAN) that cellular endpoints and clients connect to and are authenticated through the Mobility Gateway. CAPs rated for indoor locations (A2400) and outdoor environments (A2405 and A2415) work together to create contiguous private network connectivity across the entire enterprise location.
NetCloud Private SIM-Enabled Routers and Endpoints
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards are critically required by every cellular network to authenticate edge devices such as cellular routers/adapters and cellular clients such as cell phones, tablets, and barcode scanners. In fact, any device that incorporates a Cradlepoint Private SIM card or Private eSIM can gain controlled access to the NetCloud Private Networks — including third-party endpoints and routers. However, to realize the benefits of a fully converged and centrally managed system, Cradlepoint CBRS routers and adapters are the preferred endpoint solution for connections to the LAN or SIM-less edge devices.
WAN Edge Router
The WAN Edge Router connects the on-premises equipment, including the Mobility Gateway and CAPs, to the internet and remote data centers. Depending on the deployed NetCloud Private Network architecture, the WAN Edge Router may also connect remote CAPs at a site to a centralized Mobility Gateway in a data center. For the best end-to-end management, policy orchestration, and user experience, this WAN Edge Router may be a Cradlepoint device, but third-party devices are also compatible with NCPN and may be a better fit for some network architectures.
Notable benefits
- Implemented as an integrated system including edge to core single pane of glass visibility
- Inherent cellular-based security with unified policy management of access, network, SIM, and traffic from edge to core
- Extensibility leveraging RESTful APIs for dashboarding, custom applications, and integrations
- Leverage a large portfolio of Cradlepoint routers with features including ruggedization, Wi-Fi 6, gigabit Ethernet, containers, GNSS, PoE, and more
- Mobility Gateway and Cellular Access Point Specifications
- Private SIM Specifications
- Ordering Guide
- NetCloud Service Plans
- Support & Warranty
Notice: All specifications subject to change without notice.
The NetCloud Private Networks solution requires at least one Mobility Gateway and at least one Cellular Access Point. For detailed specifications, see the following:
Private SIMs are required for each edge device that participates in the private network. SIMs for NetCloud Private Networks can be traditional physical SIMs (Private SIM) or digital eSIMs (Private eSIM). Private eSIMs can be downloaded onto a device that has consumer Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) capability (for example, an iPhone® 14 or a Google Pixel™). Once installed, Private SIMs and Private eSIMs have the same functionality and can be activated and managed from the Private SIMs page in NetCloud Manager.
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PHYSICAL SIM CARD SPECIFICATIONS |
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Form Factor: |
Tri-cut (2FF, 3FF, 4FF) |
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Temperature Range: |
-25 °C to 85 °C (-13 °F to 185 °F) |
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eSIM SPECIFICATIONS |
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Edge Device Compatibility: |
eUICC consumer eSIM capable |
Physical SIM Card Info
NetCloud Private Networks is comprised of a Mobility Gateway, Cellular Access Point(s), and Private SIMs, which all have corresponding NetCloud Service plans. For a complete end-to-end management solution, Cradlepoint routers and adapters should be added to the system. For details on NCPN features, refer to the summary on the NetCloud Service webpage and the detail in the NetCloud Service Features document. For more details on how to order NetCloud Private Networks, refer to the following:
Step 1: Select NCPN Mobility Gateway capacity for entire solution
Step 2: Select NCPN Cellular Access Point(s) (selection of one or more indoor/outdoor models)
Step 3: Select NCPN Private SIMs for connected endpoints (selection of one or more Plastic or Digital SIMs)
Step 4 (optional): Select supported Cradlepoint CBRS endpoints
Step 5 (optional): Select compatible Cradlepoint WAN edge router
Step 6 (A2415 only): Select compatible external antennas
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STEPS |
COMPONENT |
DESCRIPTION |
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1 |
Mobility Gateway |
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2 |
Cellular Access Point(s) |
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3 |
Private SIMs — Plastic Private eSIMs — Digital |
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4 (optional) |
Cradlepoint CBRS endpoints |
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5 (optional) |
Cradlepoint WAN edge router |
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6 (A2415 only) |
External antennas; See the A2415 Outdoor Cellular Access Point Data Sheet for further details. |
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REGION |
NCPN PACKAGE PLAN |
DESCRIPTION† |
PART NUMBER |
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US only: |
Mobility Gateway |
PROMO — 500 Mbps
PROMO — 2 Gbps
PROMO — 5 Gbps |
NCPN-000x-MG500MBPS
NCPN-000y-MG2GBPS
NCPN-000y-MG5GBPS |
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SIM Management for Plastic SIMs |
PROMO — Private SIMs (10 pack) |
SA0x-SIM10-CB |
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SIM Management for Digital eSIMs |
Private eSIM (1 eSIM) |
SA0x-SIM-DIGITAL-CB |
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CBRS Cellular Access Points — Essentials |
PROMO — Indoor A2400 CAP with AC power supply and line cord
PROMO — Outdoor A2405 CAP with PoE injector and line cord
PROMO — Outdoor A2415 CAP with AC power supply and line cord, no antennas included |
PA0x-2400NM-CN
PB0x-2405NM-CC
PE0x-2415NM-CN |
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Renewal — Mobility Gateway |
500 Mbps — 1 year |
NCPN-0001-MG500MBPS-R |
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Renewal — Cellular Access Point |
Indoor — 1 year
Outdoor — 1 year |
PA01-NCESS-R
PB01-NCESS-R |
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Renewal — SIM Management for Plastic SIMs |
Private SIMs (10 pack) — 1 year |
SA01-NCPNSIM10-R |
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Renewal — SIM Management for Digital eSIMs |
Private eSIM (1 eSIM) — 1 year |
SA01-NCPNSIM-DIGITAL-R |
x = 4 or 6 years
†PROMO SKUs (promotional SKUs) are available for a limited time and add an extra year to the standard 3- or 5-year NetCloud Service Plan. Starting 07/01/2024, new subscriptions revert to the standard 3- or 5-year NetCloud Service Plan. All renewals have a 1-year duration.
All NCPN hardware and software are sold as part of a NetCloud Service package, which includes:
- Cradlepoint Global Support for the full subscription term.
- Hardware limited lifetime warranty for as long as they have a subscription license to an active NetCloud Service Plan.
