USAT Delivers PLTE with Motorola Nitro
IDENTIFYING USE CASES FOR PRIVATE LTE AND CBRSIn today’s world, Public LTE and Wi-Fi networks are a necessity. For many individuals and organizations, wireless services have become a “fourth utility” – a resource as critical as power, water, and gas. In spite of this, a few scenarios exist where the use of public LTE and Wi-Fi networks is not a viable option:
- When your location has coverage that is limited or otherwise non-existent
- When your capacity needs are greater than currently available
- When your application requires additional levels of security
A range of enterprises are looking at Private LTE networks to solve their business connectivity problems. These include industrial applications in remote, underground, and limited access locations as well as data security applications in the medical, government and financial fields handling highly sensitive data.
PLTE and CBRS Overview
What is Private LTE?
Private LTE (PLTE) networks are created utilizing the same protocols and technologies that public LTE networks utilize. When you engage with a managed service provider, like the teams at USAT and MCA, they install small cells, comparable to Wi-Fi access points, that provide your organization with a dedicated wireless network capable of covering tens-of-thousands of square feet.
PLTE networks offer performance and reliability that public LTE or Wi-Fi alone is unable to match at a cost that is usually much lower. PLTE offers uninterrupted connectivity and the ability to handle sizeable loads of traffic, such as data flows from hundreds to thousands of connected IoT devices. They are completely customizable — offering resilient, secure connectivity with low latency and excellent penetration — with signals capable of passing through walls and other obstacles that might block a Wi-Fi signal.
What is CBRS?
Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) may sound like an antiquated network used by AM radio broadcasters, but its bandwidth carries considerably more potential. CBRS is a versatile band of shared spectrum attracting high levels of interest in the use and expansion of Private LTE Networks. Enterprises that tap into the unique architecture and capabilities of CBRS, are bringing their dreams of digital automation and transformation to life.
CBRS is a band of radio frequency spectra operating in the 3.55-3.7 GHz range. The CBRS spectrum totals 150 MHz and is a shared spectrum that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has divided it into three tiers — making it particularly unique — with each tier occupied by users with different types of access; incumbents (like the military), those with priority access licenses (PALs), and generally authorized users (GAA).
What Problems Do They Solve?
Whether your organization has purchased a PAL or plans to use GAA, converting your allotted spectrum to a PLTE or 5G model can solve a plethora of your existing operational hindrances by:
- Deploying Wireless WAN and LAN solutions when carrier infrastructure is lacking
- Facilitating the storage and management of sensitive data at the edge
- Reducing network congestion severity through priority and preemption
- Providing secure, mobile, interference-free connectivity
- Decreasing the cost of high-bandwidth applications
The Network
Motorola Nitro™ is the first fully-managed CBRS platform that combines Private LTE data with business-critical voice. The platform utilizes both new wireless frequencies inside CBRS spectrum together with new technology developed by Motorola giving it twice the capacity* and up to four times the range* of Wi-Fi.
The Hardware
Once your network is set-up and your SLX series small cells are in place in and around your facilities, Motorola’s Evolve and SLN series of two-way radios work brilliantly with PLTE networks. For fixed site and mobile applications, Cradlepoint’s PLTE routers enable users to seamlessly tap into reliable and secure connectivity.
PLTE and CBRS Use Cases
Even though the large-scale adoption of CBRS is ramping up, the market has not yet reached maturity — with enterprises continuing to standardize use cases for the considerable 150 MHz band. The most critical component of the success and maturation of the private LTE market in the U.S.A. is spectrum availability — as organizations pursue Wireless WAN solutions that can satisfy all their security, scalability, coverage, latency, and speed requirements.
Industries throughout the nation have started to take advantage of the benefits private cellular networks provide — with the availability of CBRS increasing the likelihood that public and private organizations like yours will leverage next-generation technologies where connectivity is a key requirement.
Here are a few ways Private Cellular and CBRS are being used today.
Connected Equipment and Autonomy
Across vast geographies and remote places, Nitro can provide businesses with a means to get the job done. For example, the mining industry uses Private 5G and LTE to operate remote and autonomously controlled vehicles in dangerous environments.
Asset Modernization
Nitro can securely connect devices used for remote monitoring and control, like intelligent traffic sensors driving automation and improving efficiencies. They can also connect point-of-sale operations and video displays at retail complexes.
Video and Security
Worksite Flexibility
Connected Workers
Fixed Wireless Access
Getting Started with Nitro™
If any of the use cases we mentioned above interest you, it may be time to carve out your own slice of the CBRS spectrum and establish a PLTE Network with USAT, MCA, and Motorola Nitro.
We encourage you to reach out to us to request a free consultation, but in the meantime, here are some simple steps to help you plan your own private cellular network rollout.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Define your infrastructure requirements, starting with user equipment like Cradlepoint PLTE routers, Motorola Two-Way Radios, and more. A proof of concept supporting your primary use case will help your team familiarize themselves with the equipment while also validating your business case.
Step 4
Design the network, leveraging a trusted integrator with experience in wireless like MCA. Remember to take zoning, permitting, site acquisition, and construction into account for outdoor deployments.
Step 5
Why Partner with USAT and MCA?
Device Provisioning, Activation and Installation Services
USAT LLC, a key part of the data solutions team at Mobile Communications America, exists to serve our nations critical infrastructure by creating secure communication networks — passing data wirelessly between key systems to link remote personnel and machine assets.
We sell, design, configure, and install cellular (LTE, PLTE, 5G, and CBRS) wireless data communications hardware and software to provide industry targeted IoT connectivity solutions that fit our clients' exacting needs. Our team of highly skilled, in-house communications professionals, provide solutions, services, and ongoing support to help you Connect What’s Critical™.
- Over 25 Years Experience in Communications
- Quality Devices from Top Manufacturing Partners
- Rapid Deployment of Connectivity Solutions
- Fast, Secure, and Reliable Network Performance
- Device Provisioning and Engineering Services
The Download
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Nitro SLX 2000 CBSD
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Additional Reading
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*Based on 802.11a standard for 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi using similar channel bandwidths.
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