The Besen Group launches private 5G TCO tool for mines

The Besen Group has released a Private 5G Total Cost of Ownership tool for surface and underground mines, aimed at helping mining companies and system integrators evaluate deployment costs and business value. The launch comes as mines push more automation, remote operations and worker-safety systems that depend on secure wireless connectivity.

Why it matters: - Mining operators are weighing private 5G for autonomous vehicles, remote operations, connected equipment, worker safety, asset tracking, predictive maintenance and real-time video. - A better view of total cost and return on investment can shape whether mines move forward with private wireless deployments. - Surface and underground mines face different network needs, so a generic cost model can miss major cost drivers.

What happened: - The Besen Group announced the launch of a Private 5G Total Cost of Ownership Tool for Surface and Underground Mines on September 9, 2026. - The tool is designed for mining companies and system integrators. - The tool is built to evaluate the costs, operational requirements and potential business benefits of deploying private 5G networks in mining.

The details: - The tool provides a framework for analyzing CapEx, OpEx and opportunity costs tied to private 5G deployments. - Users can compare different network configurations and deployment scenarios based on their mining operation. - The tool is tailored to mining environments rather than generic wireless networks. - Surface and underground mines can differ in network architecture, coverage requirements, equipment configurations, propagation characteristics and operational challenges. - Cost components covered by the tool include spectrum-related costs, private 5G network infrastructure and radio equipment, core network and edge computing infrastructure, small cells and other radio access network components, backhaul and transport, network installation and integration, network operations and maintenance, device and connectivity requirements, and other CapEx and OpEx items. - A limited version of the Private 5G TCO Tool for Mines is available for download at the limited tool download. - The Besen Group also offers a tool brochure covering business case tools and TCO tools for private LTE networks, private 5G networks and neutral host networks. - The Besen Group offers its tools on a corporate-license basis in Excel format. - Pricing information and customization options are available by emailing tool@thebesengroup.com with contact details including name, title, company name and phone number. - The Besen Group is headquartered in the Washington DC area and has representatives in Paris and Tokyo. - The company says its mission is to provide mobile players with tools, knowledge and services that help them perform optimally in their mobile environment. - The Besen Group says its competitive edge is based on practical experience with mobile operators, mobile vendors and a mobile data laboratory.

Between the lines: - The launch targets a niche where network economics are harder to model because underground and surface operations do not share the same technical constraints. - By framing the tool around business-case analysis, The Besen Group is positioning private 5G as an investment decision, not just a technology upgrade. - The focus on CapEx, OpEx and opportunity cost suggests buyers want a fuller picture than equipment pricing alone.

What's next: - Mining companies and integrators can use the limited tool version to assess deployments and compare scenarios. - Buyers seeking broader licensing or customization can contact The Besen Group for pricing. - The company is likely to continue promoting its private LTE, private 5G and neutral host planning tools through its brochure and sales channel.

The bottom line: - The Besen Group is betting that mining-specific cost modeling will make private 5G easier to justify and deploy.