Celona Launches Industry-First Cloud-Controlled AP-Only Private 5G Platform

Celona has launched AerFlex, an access point (AP)-only private 5G platform designed to simplify deployment and management by eliminating the need for on-site servers and complex infrastructure. The solution splits network functions between cloud-controlled APs and a cloud-based operating system, enabling faster and more scalable private 5G networks aimed especially at smaller and distributed enterprises, including industrial AI applications. This approach contrasts with traditional private 5G systems that require expensive edge hardware and multi-vendor integrations, making AerFlex more accessible and cost-effective for a wider range of businesses. However, US companies Moso Networks and Ataya dispute Celona's claim to be first with this architecture, asserting their Chorus solution, launched over a year earlier, pioneered the cloud-controlled AP-only private 5G model. Celona's product is being tested by enterprises such as Cargill and positions itself against rivals like Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco, and HPE, emphasizing its unified private 5G OS and local breakout security features. Celona executives highlight the significance of private 5G as a critical connectivity layer for AI and edge applications, aiming to expand private 5G adoption beyond large campuses to smaller, remote, and distributed environments.