Tech Companies Partner to Bring Cellular Coverage to Schools

Two tech companies—Athonet, which offers private network technology solutions, and BearCom, a wireless integrator—recently announced that they are partnering to bring private cellular coverage including LTE, 5G and CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) to North American schools. The companies will offer private LTE proof-of-concepts and installations as wireless solutions that meet the necessary standards of security, capacity and reliability, according to a news release.

“When developing a private network, our customers rely on us to provide a mobile core that is proven, reliable and secure,” said Mike Owen, chief technology officer for BearCom. “Athonet has delivered thousands of LTE, 4G/5G and CBRS mission-critical networks across the globe in the same verticals where we are focused.”

One recent installation for the Fort Worth Independent School District in Fort Worth, Texas, brought a private LTE network using CBRS to more than 4,000 students. Athonet’s EPC LTE mobile core was installed at the school district’s data center, while BearCom provided other vendors to bring materials like the Spectrum Access System, home routers, CBRS eNodeBs and radio access network software.

“Organizations are beginning to understand the benefits of private networks but need an integrator that can bring all the vendors together to deliver business results,” said Simon O'Donnell, president of Athonet USA.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Little Grand Market

    Designing for Belonging: Why Student Wellness Starts with Space

    From walkable site planning to flexible interiors, intentional design choices play a critical role in how students experience comfort, connection, and community.

  • Niles West High School Natatorium Renovation

    Natatoriums are highly specialized spaces, and luminaires in this setting face several unique challenges. Perhaps the most significant is corrosion, which is exacerbated by high indoor humidity, condensation, and pool chemicals, often resulting in material degradation in luminaires not certified to perform in corrosive environments.

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.

  • textured paper collage shows a school building on fire as a fire truck sprays water into the flames

    Why a Fire Loss Is More than Flames

    We've all seen what fire damage can do to a property, but the types of damage building owners often encounter after a fire loss can exceed expectations. Having full awareness of the different forms of damage properties can sustain helps owners respond faster, reduce continued damage, and get back on the road to recovery in short order.

Digital Edition