The Ultimate Enterprise Private LTE Discovery Checklist: 14 Essential Questions to Ask

October 23, 2025

The comprehensive guide to Enterprise Private LTE planning. Download your checklist of 14 critical discovery questions to avoid errors and cut costs.

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From Concept to Connectivity: Introducing the Private LTE Deployment Checklist

Unbreakable connectivity has become the backbone of modern business. Whether you are running a manufacturing floor, managing a logistics hub, or operating across multiple campuses, your ability to stay connected directly impacts productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. 

Yet, many organizations still rely on Wi-Fi or public cellular solutions that were never designed for mission-critical operations.

Dropped connections, congestion, security vulnerabilities, and compliance gaps are daily frustrations that cost time and money.

For enterprises that cannot afford to be disconnected, Private Cellular Networks (PCNs) powered by LTE and 5G are the next step. These dedicated networks provide reliability, security, and control that traditional systems simply can’t match.

At Metro Wireless, we’ve developed a Private Cellular Network Discovery Checklist— a practical tool that helps businesses evaluate their current connectivity challenges and readiness for private LTE/5G.

This blog will walk you through why private cellular networks matter, how Metro Wireless builds them, and how the checklist can help you take the first step toward a better connectivity future.

Private LTE and 5G networks combine the speed and reliability of carrier-grade technology with the customization and control enterprises need

Why Wi-Fi and Public Cellular are no longer enough

For years, Wi-Fi has been the go-to solution for enterprise connectivity. Public cellular has also improved dramatically, but both technologies still share major limitations in large-scale or specialized environments. Businesses often face:

  1. Unreliable coverage indoors or across wide areas, especially in warehouses, factories, or campuses.
  2. Network congestion occurs when hundreds or thousands of devices try to connect at once.
  3. Inconsistent performance that cannot support mission-critical applications like IoT, automation, or real-time monitoring.
  4. Security risks that expose sensitive data to breaches.
  5. Compliance challenges in industries where regulations demand strict data localization and monitoring.

These limitations aren’t just frustrating— they’re costly. Downtime, lost productivity, and compliance violations can quickly add up. That’s why forward-thinking enterprises are shifting to private LTE and 5G networks that deliver more than just connectivity— they deliver control.

What makes Private Cellular different

Private LTE and 5G networks combine the speed and reliability of carrier-grade technology with the customization and control enterprises need. Unlike public networks or shared Wi-Fi, a private cellular network provides:

  1. Dedicated coverage engineered to your site’s unique layout.
  2. SIM-based security that ensures only authorized devices connect.
  3. On-premise control that keeps sensitive data localized.
  4. Scalability to handle thousands of devices simultaneously.
  5. Support for advanced use cases like robotics, augmented reality, and real-time asset tracking.

In short, a private cellular network is designed around your business, not the other way around.

No more dead zones or unreliable connections

Ready to Launch? Use This 6-Point Private LTE Discovery Checklist

This checklist is designed to help enterprises assess the need for a private cellular network (using LTE or 5G technology) based on common pain points, business requirements, and operational challenges. 

1. Is your current connectivity (Wi-Fi or public cellular) unreliable in your facility?

Understanding where connectivity falters is the first step toward justifying the investment in a dedicated Private LTE solution.

2. Are you experiencing interference, coverage gaps, or inconsistent performance indoors or across large sites?

Pinpointing the exact physical locations and causes of signal loss will determine the precise topology and radio needs of your new network.

3. Do you frequently experience downtime, latency issues, or security vulnerabilities with mission-critical applications, such as IoT sensors, automation, or real-time data transfers?

Quantify the financial and operational risk of these failures to calculate the immediate return on investment for high-reliability pLTE.

4. Do you have slow data speeds or limited bandwidth for high-device-density environments, like factories, warehouses, or campuses?

A dedicated spectrum and guaranteed quality of service (QoS) are essential to ensure that a massive influx of devices doesn't choke essential operations.

5. Does your industry or business require strict compliance with regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, or E911, where data must remain localized and secure?

Confirming regulatory requirements upfront will mandate an on-premises core infrastructure where all sensitive data is handled entirely within your control. Note: Public networks and Wi-Fi may not provide on-premise control or SIM-based authentication needed for compliance, unlike private cellular setups.

6. What types of endpoints and devices will need to connect to this wireless network? Are the private cellular compatible, or WiFi / public cellular only? Will new devices need to be procured?

A comprehensive inventory of all endpoints, from simple sensors to automated guided vehicles (AGVs), is necessary to confirm their inherent private cellular compatibility or to budget for new, purpose-built IoT devices.

Your 8-Point Private LTE Technical Planning & Data Checklist

Capturing this detailed implementation data upfront will save you time as you plan your private cellular network deployment. This list is the key element to begin scoping a private cellular network, and is what we use with all prospective clients when planning our Private Cellular Networks.

1. Scale floor plan drawings: number of buildings/sites/floors, square footage (per building/per floor)

Accurate scale diagrams are critical for the initial Radio Frequency (RF) design, directly influencing the number of access points and overall hardware required.

2. Estimated number of devices/users, including: IoT endpoints, SIM/eSIM-enabled equipment, and simultaneous connections.

A precise device count, especially the peak number of simultaneous connections, is essential for sizing the core network and ensuring adequate bandwidth provisioning.

3. Site address(es): used to assess spectrum availability (e.g., CBRS in the U.S.), nearby interference, and estimate coverage needs.

The physical location dictates which specific radio spectrum is legally available for use and helps identify potential outside signal interference that must be factored into the design.

4. Key use cases and priorities: such as automation, AR/VR, asset tracking, low-latency applications, or security-focused traffic.

Defining your top use cases ensures the network design prioritizes the correct metrics, such as ultra-low latency for automation or maximum capacity for data-heavy applications.

5. Ceiling/wall types and heights for mounting access points (e.g., drop ceiling, concrete, outdoor structures).

Knowing the structural elements and mounting surfaces guides the physical placement of the antennas, optimizing signal coverage while minimizing installation complexity.

6. Interior/exterior construction materials (e.g., concrete, metal, glass): impact signal propagation and RF design.

Understanding dense materials like concrete or metal is vital for predicting signal loss and attenuation, directly affecting the placement and power levels of all radio equipment.

7. Device compatibility details: list of endpoints (e.g., supporting LTE/5G, SIM/eSIM) and any proof-of-concept requirements.

Thorough compatibility checks mitigate risks later in the project and determine if a smaller-scale proof-of-concept (PoC)is necessary before full deployment.

8. Desired timeline for deployment, including integration with ERP/cloud systems and post-launch monitoring.

A clear timeline, including all necessary integration and testing phases, is needed to map out resource allocation and define success metrics for the entire project lifecycle.

Our Metro Wireless Discovery Checklist was created to simplify the process of evaluating whether your business is ready for a private LTE or 5G deployment.

By downloading and filling out the checklist, you’ll gain clarity on your connectivity needs and provide Metro Wireless with the essential details required to design a network tailored to your business. 

From coverage planning to compliance requirements and integration goals, the checklist captures everything needed to build a clear roadmap.

Instead of guessing where your network is falling short, the checklist helps you document pain points, operational requirements, and environmental factors that shape the right solution.

Think of it as the bridge between your current challenges and a future-proof network solution.

Our time-proven pLTE deployment process: from planning to always-on connectivity

Building a private cellular network doesn’t have to be complex. Metro Wireless follows a structured process that gets your system up and running quickly— often in a matter of weeks, not months.

1. Initial review

We start by understanding your use cases, business priorities, and connectivity challenges. This ensures your network isn’t just functional, but truly strategic.

2. Site survey

Using advanced RF planning tools, we analyze your environment, assess spectrum availability, and design a coverage plan that eliminates gaps and interference.

3. Proposal and design

Our team prepares a detailed proposal outlining the recommended equipment, costs, and deployment approach. Scalability, compliance, and ROI are all factored in from the start.

4. Deployment

Once approved, Metro Wireless provisions and installs the network with minimal disruption to your operations. Every installation includes testing, optimization, and staff training.

5. Ongoing support

Your private cellular journey doesn’t end at deployment. We provide continuous remote monitoring, security updates, and proactive support to ensure your network grows with your business.

This end-to-end process ensures your connectivity investment delivers lasting value.

Industries from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and education are adopting private LTE and 5G to improve efficiency, security, and competitiveness.

Why partner with Metro Wireless

Private cellular networks require expertise in spectrum management, RF design, and enterprise integration. Metro Wireless specializes in building tailored LTE and 5G solutions that address the unique challenges of each client.

What sets us apart?

  1. Speed of deployment: From site survey to launch in weeks, not months.

  2. Custom engineering: Networks designed for your exact site and industry requirements.

  3. Future-ready solutions: Scalable infrastructure that adapts to new technologies and use cases.

  4. End-to-end support: From planning through ongoing monitoring and security updates.

With Metro Wireless, you don’t just get connectivity— you get a partner committed to your success.

Shameless Plug: Take the first step today

If unreliable Wi-Fi or congested public cellular is slowing down your operations, it’s time to explore private LTE or 5G.

Our Metro Wireless Private Cellular Network Discovery Checklist makes it easy to evaluate your needs and prepare for the next stage of connectivity.

Download the checklist, review your current challenges, and let our team show you how private cellular can transform your business.

You’re closer than ever to unlocking connectivity that delivers performance, security, and control where it matters most.

Ready to get started? Contact Metro Wireless today at sales@metrowireless.com.

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Tyler Hoffman

CEO

Tyler Hoffman serves as the owner and CEO of Metro Wireless, a Detroit-MI based company that delivers better commercial connectivity via wireless solutions to a national client base. He lives in Detroit and holds an MBA from Kellogg @ Northwestern University, and a BBA from Ross @ University of Michigan. His guilty pleasures include craft beer and horror films.

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