Vertical: Municipal, Smart City
Application: Internet access for underserved communities
Ecosystem: Spread Networks, Pollen Mobile
Private Network: 5G, CBRS
In a pioneering move to address the digital divide, the city of Shreveport, Louisiana, has teamed up with Spread Networks to deploy an innovative open-source wireless network. This groundbreaking initiative aims to provide affordable internet access to underserved communities, leveraging the Pollen Mobile network to create a private 5G network for public Wi-Fi.
The project, part of Shreveport’s Universal Digital Access initiative, was spearheaded by Keith Hanson, the city’s Chief Technology Officer and Smart Cities Director. Hanson discovered that while broadband infrastructure existed near almost every home, about 40% of Shreveport lacked broadband coverage, with most dead spots in historically underserved communities.
To tackle this issue, Shreveport’s IT department collaborated with Spread Networks to install Pollen’s Flower wireless antennas at five public libraries across the city. This strategic placement allows residents with a library card who live in the coverage area to check out and install hot spot kits from their local library, potentially reaching up to 1,000 homes per installation.
The choice of the public library system as a partner was deliberate and advantageous. Libraries already had high-speed internet service, content filters, physical locations in underserved areas, and strong community relationships, making them ideal hubs for this initiative.
One of the most significant aspects of this project is its cost-effectiveness. By leveraging the open-source Pollen Mobile network, which uses Citizens Broadband Radio Service, Shreveport is spending approximately $500,000 in American Rescue Plan funds on its public Wi-Fi network. This is a fraction of the estimated $5 million it would have cost to partner with a traditional internet service provider to reach the same number of homes.
Moreover, the city owns all the infrastructure, granting Shreveport the flexibility to use, modify, and expand the network without seeking permission or incurring additional fees from Pollen. This ownership model provides long-term sustainability and adaptability for the city’s digital infrastructure.
