In today’s fast-paced world, having a reliable and fast internet connection is crucial for businesses to operate efficiently. While traditional Wi-Fi and mobile networks are widely available, they can sometimes fall short in terms of speed, reliability, and security. This is where local LTE comes into play, offering a unique set of benefits that can make a significant impact on your business or site.
What is local (or Private) LTE?
Local LTE, also known as private LTE, is a wireless broadband network that operates independently of public cellular networks. It utilizes Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology, which is the same technology used in mobile phones, to provide high-speed wireless connectivity. Local LTE is a closed network, meaning that it is limited to a specific location or organization, making it more secure and reliable than public networks.
What are the alternative technologies?
Alternative technologies to local LTE include Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and satellite internet. While these options may be suitable for some businesses, they may not provide the same level of security, reliability, and speed as local LTE. When using the publicly available cellular networks, it is obviously managed by one of the big telcos. Compared to Local LTE, you would give away all the control you could have in terms of setting security measures, allocating speed to specific areas or users and prioritizing reliability for all users over top speed for a few users e.g. WiFi dramatically drops in performance and speed as the users increase, while satellite connectivity is prohibitively expensive for most business scenarios. Satellite communications are mostly used when there is no alternative, like on the water or in the middle of the desert for example.
What are specific benefits or scenarios for Local LTE that give it a competitive advantage?
Local LTE offers several benefits that give it a competitive advantage over other technologies. These include:
● High-speed internet: Local LTE can provide faster internet speeds than traditional Wi-Fi networks, making it ideal for businesses that require high bandwidth applications such as video conferencing, file sharing, and cloud computing.
● Improved security: Since local LTE is a closed network, it offers enhanced security features such as user authentication, data encryption, and access control, making it less susceptible to hacking and cyber attacks.
● Increased reliability: Local LTE is more reliable than public networks as it is not affected by external factors such as network congestion or weather conditions. It also offers better coverage, especially in remote or rural areas.
What are The Downsides of Local LTE Technology deployment?
While local LTE offers many benefits, like any technology, it may have some downsides. One of the main drawbacks of local LTE is the cost of deployment, although this is no different for other alternative technologies. Additionally, local LTE networks may require special infrastructure, such as specialized antennas and base stations, which can make the initial setup more complex. However, the efforts and costs can be offset by the potential long-term benefits, such as improved connectivity, faster data speeds, and enhanced security. Ultimately, the decision to use local LTE depends on several factors, including the specific needs and requirements of the business or site.
What specific industries will find particularly low hanging-fruits when using Local LTE?
Local LTE can benefit a variety of industries, but some industries that can particularly benefit from it include:
● Manufacturing: Local LTE can improve operational efficiency by providing real-time connectivity for machine-to-machine communication and control systems.
● Transportation: Local LTE can be used to track and manage fleets, as well as provide internet connectivity for passengers on buses, trains, and planes.
● Healthcare: Local LTE can enable remote patient monitoring, telemedicine, and electronic health records, improving the quality of care and reducing costs.
● Agriculture: Local LTE can improve crop yields and efficiency by enabling real-time monitoring of soil moisture levels, weather data, and other environmental factors. This data can be collected by sensors and transmitted wirelessly, allowing farmers to make informed decisions about planting, irrigation, and harvesting.
● Education: Local LTE can provide reliable high-speed internet access to schools and universities, enabling distance learning and virtual classrooms. With more students learning online, local LTE can ensure that all students have access to quality education regardless of their location.
● Retail: Local LTE can enable real-time inventory management, pricing updates, and customer tracking in retail stores. By connecting POS systems and mobile devices to a private LTE network, retailers can streamline their operations, reduce costs, and improve the customer experience.
● Hospitality: Local LTE can enhance the guest experience in hotels and resorts by providing high-speed internet access and enabling smart room controls. With local LTE, guests can stream movies, access work applications, and control room temperature and lighting from their mobile devices.
● Public Safety: Local LTE can improve emergency response times by providing real-time data and video feeds to first responders. With a private LTE network, emergency services can share critical information and coordinate their response efforts, helping to save lives and minimize property damage.
And there are many more vertical scenarios!
6. What are the main business considerations when deciding to use Local LTE or not?
When deciding to use local LTE, businesses should consider several factors, including:
● Coverage area: Local LTE requires infrastructure such as antennas and base stations, so businesses need to ensure that the coverage area is sufficient to meet their needs.
● Cost: Local LTE is relatively cheap to deploy and maintain, but businesses still need to consider the costs of equipment, installation, and ongoing maintenance.
● Regulatory requirements: Businesses need to comply with regulatory requirements such as obtaining licenses, permits, and certifications to operate local LTE networks.
Local LTE can be deployed in many parts of the world, as long as the necessary infrastructure and spectrum are available. However, the specific regulations and licensing requirements for deploying local LTE may vary from country to country. In general, local LTE operates on the same frequency bands as commercial LTE networks, such as the 700 MHz, 1.8 GHz, and 2.6 GHz bands.
To deploy a local LTE network, a business or organization will typically need to obtain a spectrum license from the local regulatory authority. The process for obtaining a license can vary depending on the country and region, but may involve submitting an application, paying fees, and demonstrating technical and operational competence. Once the license is obtained, the business can deploy the necessary infrastructure, such as base stations and antennas, to provide wireless broadband connectivity.
In conclusion, local LTE is a promising technology that offers a unique set of benefits for businesses and sites. By providing high-speed, secure, and reliable internet connectivity, local LTE can improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experience. While there are some considerations to be made, local LTE is definitely worth exploring for businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve in today’s digital age.
