USAT Delivers PLTE with Motorola Nitro

IDENTIFYING USE CASES FOR PRIVATE LTE AND CBRS

In 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.

Private LTE and CBRS for Connected Equipment

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

Using Nitro as backhaul for cameras and security devices allows organizations to protect their assets in urban, suburban, and rural areas alike when suitable Internet connections aren’t available where cameras need to be installed.

Worksite Flexibility

When connected to assets in a distribution, logistics, or port environment, Nitro provides a secure network with the agility required to, allow operations managers on-site to better utilize their workforce, equipment, resources, and space.

Connected Workers

Nitro helps connect workers to their environments and to one another. In challenging environments like mines or remote oil rigs with few options for connectivity, PLTE provides the network needed to communicate with workers and ensure their safety.

Fixed Wireless Access

Because it’s not feasible to run fiber to every home in the USA, wireless service providers can offer connectivity in remote areas with the help of CBRS. During the COVID era, the use of this spectrum became an important element of distance learning.

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

Outline your business requirements. Start by determining which problems a PLTE network will solve, the edge devices it needs to support, and your data rate and interoperability requirements. The goal is to develop a long-term wireless needs strategy to future-proof your investment.

Step 2

Develop and prioritize a list of proposed use cases and key performance indicators (KPIs). The more use cases that apply to your enterprise, the greater your return on investment (ROI).

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

Reassess your KPIs to consider supplementary use cases for the network that may satisfy not only the needs you have today, but also your potential future needs as well.

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

Save This Solution for Later or Share It With Colleagues

If you'd like to reflect back on this Private LTE (PLTE) solution or share it with colleagues, we've included a simple download of this article in a PDF format. Just click below to view it as a PDF and then click save.

Download as PDF >>

Contact Us

Reach out the team at USAT to Engineer Your PLTE Solution Today

Click an image below to give us a call, send us an email, fill out a contact form, or make a purchase directly on our website.

Place a Call

Send an Email

Fill Out a Form

Shop Online

Recommended Devices for PLTE Applications

Click an Image Below to Start Shopping Online

Nitro SLX 2000 CBSD

Motorola Two-Way Radios

Cradlepoint R500-PLTE

NetCloud IoT for PLTE

Additional Reading

Check Out Other Recent Articles, Use Cases, and Case Studies

Fixed Utility Connectivity

Utilities are looking to leverage the fastest cellular networks available to improve the operational efficiency, safety and security of all their fixed locations.

Keep Reading >>