Vertical: Smart City
Application: Improved coverage and capacity
Ecosystem: Nokia, DigitalC, Siklu, Ubiquiti
Private Network: LTE, CBRS
In a new initiative to address the digital divide in Cleveland, Ohio, Nokia has teamed up with non-profit organization DigitalC to deploy a private LTE network using Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum. This project aims to provide affordable, high-speed internet access to thousands of underserved households in the city, which has been ranked as one of the least connected urban areas in the United States.
The heart of this ambitious project lies in Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) end-to-end private wireless solution. This comprehensive package includes the network core, radio access, and both indoor and outdoor customer premises equipment (CPE) for deployment in users’ homes. The solution offers a plug-and-play private wireless option in areas where traditional connectivity methods are either too costly or challenging to implement.
DigitalC, led by CEO Dorothy Baunach, has set an aggressive goal of covering all 34 neighborhoods in Cleveland by the end of 2022. The organization plans to leverage a combination of unlicensed 3.5GHz CBRS and mmWave spectrum to achieve this coverage. Their target is to connect up to 40,000 of Cleveland’s 50,000 unconnected households by 2024, potentially transforming the city from one of the least connected to one of the most connected in the country.
The need for this initiative is stark. According to a 2019 American Community Survey, 30.7% of Cleveland households have no broadband access, and 36% have no wired connection. This digital divide became even more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the urgent need for accessible and affordable internet services.
DigitalC’s approach is multi-faceted, employing four different methods to connect households in the last mile. In addition to Nokia’s CBRS solution, they are utilizing Ubiquiti rooftop access points for line-of-sight connections, a Siklu mmWave mesh network below the tree canopy, and hallway access points within multi-dwelling units (MDUs).
The project has garnered support from various quarters. Microsoft’s Airband initiative has provided both advisory and financial support, while the local school district is assisting with funding for devices, including LTE-enabled Chromebooks. Other local non-profits are helping to procure devices for households without school-age children.
