Vertical: Education
Application: Video, IoT
Ecosystem: Celona, Cradlepoint
Private Network: LTE, CBRS
West Chester University (WCU), Pennsylvania’s largest state university, embarked on a journey to enhance campus safety by expanding their outdoor surveillance camera system. This project highlighted the challenges many organizations face when deploying IoT solutions, particularly in finding the right balance between network performance, reliability, security, and cost.
WCU’s IT department discovered an innovative solution: Celona’s private LTE/5G mobile networking technology operating on the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum. This approach provided the perfect combination of features to meet their needs.
The CBRS network offered carrier-grade connectivity without metered bandwidth charges, ensuring cost-effective operation. It utilized interference-free spectrum, separate from the student and faculty Wi-Fi, preventing any impact on academic activities. Crucially, the network was fully owned and controlled by WCU IT staff, addressing security concerns. Moreover, the implementation costs were over 50% lower than fiber optic alternatives.
A key feature of the deployment was Celona’s technology, which ensured that surveillance video streams received the necessary bandwidth and low-latency transport. The university also employed Cradlepoint routers to translate multiple video camera feeds to the CBRS-based private LTE backhaul, creating a seamless experience.
The success of this project has opened new possibilities for WCU. The university is now exploring additional IoT applications for their private mobile network, including smart parking meters, door controllers, and other public safety sensors. This forward-thinking approach demonstrates how investing in flexible, future-proof technology can pave the way for continued innovation and expansion.
