Wireless technology and LTE in private enterprise

For most people, wireless technology means using their cell phone or home wifi connection. Maybe getting work done at your local Starbucks and even fast food restaurants like McDonalds are offering high speed wireless connections.

However for businesses, long range high speed network brings a ton of advantages from speed, time of deployment and flexibity.

Up-and-coming private LTE technologies are known to be at the center of commercial LTE networks carrier and enterprise Wi-Fi, offering broadband data capacities with roaming ability and mobility. In addition to this, they also offer features that support connectivity for end users and IoT devices, as well as SIM based security.

Examples of Private LTE Use Cases

Mining

Mining processes encounter quite a number of issues in the area of connectivity. This is basically because they are usually located in isolated regions with very minimal cellular coverage. Interestingly, mining corporations have complex network needs such as the ability to expand communications to underground. Ericsson and Ambra Solutions, the Canadian private network provider lately offered a private LTE connectivity solution for the Agnico Eagle Gold Mine site, in LaRonde Abitibi, Quebec. This system was completed in 2017 and it facilitates connectivity at a depth of 3 kilometres underground. According to a white paper presented by Qualcomm on private LTE, mining corporation, Australia based Rio Tinto was one of the first few large conglomerate to utilize a private LTE network connectivity for commercial operations at a large scale. Rio Tinto utilized private LTE network to cover fifteen mines and connected facilities which include railways and transportation hubs. This network solution utilized 1800MHz spectrum under a unique arrangement from the local regulators.

Utilities

Utility organizations normally function on their personal private networks. However, the networks are usually voice based narrowband, instead of supporting technologies broadband. These networks have the capacity to cover diverse regions and can contain manifold technologies as organizations develop through acquisition. According to the white paper presented by Navigant Research, contemporary utilities often maintain up to one dozen diverse networks. Private LTE can help to minimize the complexity of communications networks of utilities across their numerous geographic routes while enhancing the accessible capacity and bandwidth for IoT or human application utilization.

Fixed Wireless Access

Private LTE as Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology is the focal point for some CBRS trials. Currently, some markets boast of up to 150MHz spectrum specifically in non coastal and rural areas which makes it possible for CBRS to provide a viable Fixed Wireless Access spectrum option for private LTE networks. This is to serve residential or enterprises customers. This development opens up new potentials for wireless broadband service providers in lieu of virtual mobile network provider pact with one of the many national carriers. This could be carried out on Priority Access License basis or unlicensed General Authorized Access in the framework of CBRS.

Network for shipping hubs and warehouses

According to the comments made to the Federal Communications Commission by the United Parcel Service last year, the organization supports the proposal to realign 900MHz spectrum narrowband to enable broadband usage, as well as private LTE so as to broaden its technology alternatives. In its comment, UPS, an organization that utilizes 900 MHz private land mobile radio in its hub capacities, enumerated the reasons why private LTE might probably meet its communication requirements in ways that the commercial network carriers do not.

Gilbert A Darrell is the Founder of Horizon. He has 18 years experience in information technology and telecom solutions, a veteran in Fire and EMS Services, a crypto enthusiast and a member of the Bermuda Government’s Cryptocurrency Task Force.

Horizon Communications is an upcoming fixed wireless internet and cellular service provider looking to provide services in Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Central America before expanding internationally. While utilizing 4th generation and soon 5th generation wireless technology,it will also heavily incorporate blockchain and cryptocurrency technology.

More information can be found on their website — www.HorizonComm.co