The recent OnGo Alliance Members Meeting in Dallas offered a compelling glimpse into the future of wireless connectivity. As both a participant and panel moderator, I came away with renewed enthusiasm for the transformative potential of Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) and Neutral Host Networks. These technologies are not just theoretical concepts; they’re being implemented today, modernizing connectivity across multiple industries and addressing critical needs in various sectors.
From educational institutions grappling with ever-increasing data demands to airports streamlining operations and from remote industrial sites to mid-sized office buildings, CBRS and Neutral Host solutions are proving their worth. The conference highlighted how these technologies are bridging crucial gaps in the “middleprise” market, offering faster deployment, cost-effectiveness, and versatility that traditional systems can’t match.
The Middleprise Challenge
A key theme that emerged from our panel was the urgent need for new indoor connectivity solutions in the middleprise sector. Traditional Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) serve large buildings well, but their high costs and lengthy deployment times (often up to a year) make them impractical for many spaces. In contrast, Neutral Host solutions leveraging CBRS can be operational in just 90-180 days, offering a much-needed alternative.
Jonathan Polly from Cal Poly provided a succinct summary of the growing demand, particularly in education: “They’re not going to be asking for less data anytime soon.” This observation underscores the pressing need for robust indoor connectivity across various sectors.
Juan Santiago from InfiniG offered valuable insights on where CBRS-based MOCN networks are most effective. He identified buildings between 50,000 and 2 million square feet as the “sweet spot” for these solutions. For larger spaces exceeding 2 million square feet, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are more likely to invest in infrastructure. In comparison, buildings smaller than 50,000 square feet might find the implementation less cost-effective.
Kurt Jacobs from JMA highlighted that the primary challenge now lies in education rather than technology. There’s a clear need to increase awareness about the benefits and capabilities of these new solutions.
Santiago also pointed out a powerful motivator: the imperative for improved safety measures. He emphasized the critical need for reliable E911 calling capabilities throughout buildings, illustrating how these new networks can significantly enhance safety protocols.
CBRS 2.0: A Leap Forward in Spectrum Efficiency
One of the most exciting developments discussed at the conference was presented by Andy Clegg of Google, focusing on the effects of CBRS 2.0. His insights revealed a significant improvement in spectrum availability and reliability across the United States. According to Clegg, the vast majority of the country will now see a reduction or elimination of interference from incumbent activities. This is a substantial advancement from the previous iteration of CBRS.
Perhaps the most striking statistic shared was the overall 85% reduction throughout the country in grant suspensions due to Department of Defense (DoD) activity. This dramatic decrease means more consistent and reliable access to the CBRS spectrum for operators and end-users alike. It indicates that the collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders and government agencies yield tangible benefits, paving the way for more widespread adoption of CBRS-based solutions.
This improvement in spectrum availability enhances the potential of existing CBRS applications and opens the door for new use cases that interference concerns may have previously constrained.
Insights from Other Speakers
The conference offered a wealth of knowledge beyond our panel discussion.
Al Sinopoli from Chevron presented a compelling case for private networks in remote operations. “Chevron has to be their own [mobile] operator,” he explained, noting that 50-60% of their operational areas lack public network coverage. Their use cases span from asset management to aerial operations, demonstrating the versatility of private networks in challenging environments.
The SMART (Spectrum Management with Adaptive and Reconfigurable Technologies) Hub panel, with Dr. Charles Baylis, Dr. Austin Egbert, and Tom Brooks, emphasized the multifaceted nature of spectrum management, touching on policy, technology, circuits, economics, and security. Their key message resonated: “Spectrum management needs to be adaptive and reconfigurable end-to-end, from policy down through circuits.”
The airport panel provided some of the most concrete examples of these technologies in action. Norman Fekrat from Imagine Wireless stated emphatically, “Anyone who’s not looking at Private 5G infrastructure is leaving value on the table.” Representatives from major airports echoed this sentiment.
Cornelius Hongur from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) expects CBRS to halve his monthly MNO bill of $80,000 in the near future. He added, “I have more use cases than means to implement them,” highlighting the vast potential yet to be tapped.
Johnathan Lewis shared how Miami International Airport (MIA) already leverages its CBRS network for practical applications. These range from locating defibrillators and monitoring environmental conditions to counting passengers and keeping track of bathroom soap and paper towel levels.
Conclusion
Reflecting on the insights shared at the OnGo Alliance Members Meeting, I’m impressed by the real-world impact of CBRS and Neutral Host Network solutions. These technologies are not just theoretical concepts – they’re being implemented today and making tangible differences across multiple industries. The future of connectivity is unfolding before us, offering more accessible, efficient, and versatile solutions than ever.
