Demonstration of an LTE portable network for private and emergency use - Introducing a fully distributed LTE network architecture

Guaranteed and reliable access to mobile communications is important for consumers but it is fundamental for mission-critical business applications and in disaster recovery scenarios. During emergencies and events that gather many people in the same place, mobile networks typically become congested or even unavailable. Technologies such as WiFi, that operate on an unlicensed frequency spectrum, are affected by congestion and are susceptible to external interference that can make the technology unusable. Licensed frequencies are not subjected to interference but current solutions based on trasportable base stations (e.g. cells-on-wheels) that are dependent on backhaul connectivity cannot adequately serve the needs of mission critical communications. Mobile operator networks lack disaster recovery and congestion control mechanisms that allow the system to work even in case of a failure of key backhaul network links. Instead a private mobile network based on the latest cellular technology can deliver IP connectivity efficiently during emergencies, events and in general for mission critical communications. This demo shows how a private LTE network can offer privileged access to voice and video services for enterprise and government using standardized cellular technology.