CBRS vs. Private LTE Networks in Data Centers

Many businesses require a segregated or private wireless network for various applications that need to remain secure and out of public access. A properly designed Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) system can provide more secure communications than Wi-Fi at higher throughput and quality typically associated with a long-term evolution (LTE) wireless network. For all types and sizes of venues, CBRS solutions create a local private LTE network to be built for the entire venue. This type of LTE technology has been widely accepted as a more secure method of communications than traditional Wi-Fi and can be adapted into an existing cellular or network architecture.

Facilities such as hyperscale and colocation data centers require the additional security and bandwidth of CBRS, whether specific for machine connectivity of IoT devices, or communications outside of traditional Wi-Fi and cellular networks. The unique aspects of CBRS on separate frequencies allow it to be tied to the cellular distributed antenna system (DAS) or traditional network architecture without allowing unwanted devices or users access into the secure communications within the data center.

Data centers have traditionally utilized private, secure communications for licensed two-way land mobile radio (LMR) systems inside of their facilities and extended these to other facilities in a campus through the use of a Radio over IP (RoIP) infrastructure. These systems have been limited to two-way communications through segregated systems or colocated across a DAS. Private LTE/CBRS operates similarly, extending licensed radio frequencies throughout a facility or campus. This provides a private “intranet” that can be utilized for a variety of systems and applications.

Many of the traditional data centers, from small colocation venues to larger hyperscale facilities operate dedicated networks for a variety of purposes. CBRS networks could eliminate some of the segregated layers that are needed today in complicated deployments. The data center could utilize this private network for building management applications, monitoring, as well as tracking inventory and personnel throughout the facility, while guest Wi-Fi and other public-facing communications could remain on public networks such as Wi-Fi and cellular DAS. Asset management has become a huge communication requirement, both from a security standpoint as well as an accurate inventory and location service. Data centers can benefit from having a location-based inventory of equipment in the event of a failure, and the acknowledgments can be on a wireless frequency range segmented from broadcast data traffic.

Ensuring that the entire data center infrastructure for communications remains secure has been a driving contributor to CBRS adoption. Utilizing specific bands that are not available to guests for monitoring every aspect of building controls and communications could benefit the overall data center management. The additional bandwidth, speed, and security of a CBRS system will allow data centers to develop private LTE networks that operate more efficiently, reduce their overall cost of ownership, provide more flexibility, higher capacity, quality of service, as well as greater security. Privacy, security, capacity, and speed are some of the advantages of CBRS, especially in the data center environment.