PRIVATE iLTE NETWORK ADVANTAGE SERIES

THE ADVANTAGES OF PRIVATE LTE

PRIVATE iLTE NETWORK ADVANTAGE SERIES

POWERFUL. VERSATILE. RELIABLE.

A Redline Communications Solutions Brief

Prepared by:

Bill Obiako, Tim Preston, Roberto Montero and Duane Zimmer

Redline Communications Inc. w rdlcom.com302 Town Centre Blvd., Unit 400, Markham, ON L3R 0E8 Canada

Private ilTE Network Advantage Series | The Advantages of Private LTE

TABLE OF CONTENTS1.0 Audience 3

2.0 The Future of Wireless Networking 3

3.0 Private vs Public 4

4.0 The Need for Modernization 4

4.1 Land Mobile Radio (LMR) 4

4.2 Wi-Fi Mesh - A Solution with Limitations 4

4.3 LTE - The Future of Private Networks 5

5.0 Applications of Private LTE Networks 8

5.1 Oil and Gas 8

5.2 Energy/Utilities 9

5.3 Surface and Underground Mining 10

5.4 Government 11

5.5 Transportation 12

6.0 Transitioning to 5G 13

7.0 Conclusions 13

8.0 References 14

9.0 Glossary of Terms 15

Private ilTE Network Advantage Series | The Advantages of Private LTE of 15

1.0 AUDIENCEThis document informs network professionals, technical staff, and those interested in installing or upgrading industrial wireless communications infrastructure, on the advantages of industrial grade, private LTE technology. Private LTE networks can be deployed for Oil & Gas, energy, mining, or other applications to achieve a robust, secure and reliable wireless connectivity.

2.0 THE FUTURE OF WIRELESS NETWORKINGThe fourth industrial revolution, commonly referred to as Industry 4.0, involves the widespread adoption of wireless technologies such as 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) to improve connectivity and automation within industry.

In the past decade, LTE wireless technology has become preferred network solution for large scale networks requiring mobility. LTE has become common in applications such as mining, Oil & Gas, energy, government, and more.

According to Ericsson Mobility Report, June 2019:

• LTE increased by some 10 percentage points during 2018, creating the potential for around 750 million more people to utilize the technology

• LTE coverage is forecasted to reach around 90 percent in 2024• LTE is already the chosen technology for many industry segments

Robust communication networks enable the automation of core operations, improvements tooperational efficiency, and use of ‘smart’ initiatives. Private LTE networks provide theconnectivity necessary for this new era of automation and digitalization for services includingbig data collection, analytics, robotics, and predictive maintenance1. Due to its versatility,Private LTE is projected to grow aggressively throughout the next decade with largeinvestments for industrial purposes2.

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Services

Devices

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Figure 1: Global Revenue Growth of Private LTE Market in Billions From 2019 to 2024, there is a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% to about $3.4 Billion, with most growth in Critical Communication and Industrial IOT, two pillar verticals of Redline Communications.Source: Mobile Experts via PR Newswire, Mobile Experts Inc. Releases Industry Benchmark Report on Private LTE, 2019, Private LTE and 5G 2019


3.0 PRIVATE VS PUBLICPrivate LTE networks are designed to meet needs when public LTE networks and Wi-Fi Mesh are unsatisfactory. Some advantages of Private LTE include stronger security measures, flexible QoS protocols, and a greater selection of band frequencies.

Security

Network Security is an important consideration for businesses and industry. In a private LTE network, the infrastructure is owned and controlled by the operator. This ensures sensitive data is transmitted through secure methods and stored locally on-site.

Quality of Service

Public network providers remove Quality of Service (QoS) tagging on traffic inflow to their networks. This can be problematic for businesses looking to send mission critical traffic for niche applications. In Private LTE networks, the business oversees the framework and controls QoS tagging on all traffic.

Network Configuration

Public LTE providers use set band frequencies for their services without providing freedom of choice. Private LTE allows the choice of band, channel size, and up-link down-link ratio to satisfy their specific applications.

4.0 THE NEED FOR MODERNIZATION

4.1 LAND MOBILE RADIO (LMR) Businesses are demanding advanced features such as personal messaging, group chat, file sharing and mission critical PTT. These applications are severely restricted on LMR due to aging infrastructure, proposed spectrum recalls, low network scalability, and restricted data handling capabilities.

4.2 WI-FI MESH - A SOLUTION WITH LIMITATIONS Prior to the introduction of reliable LTE networks, Wi-Fi Mesh was the preferred solution for incorporating wireless connectivity for industrial use. Wi-Fi Mesh networks contain multiple radio nodes wirelessly interconnected to form a coverage area. Although typically inexpensive for small scale operations, Wi-Fi Mesh has numerous limitations that affect its overall performance and functionality in demanding environments.

Short Range

Wi-Fi is optimized for localized indoor use with a maximum range of 90 meters for most traditional routers with nomadic mobility support. As the scope of the coverage is increased, the limitations of Wi-Fi begin to become increasingly apparent. Range limitations result in higher latencies, reduced throughput, and potential dead zones within the area of operation – all of which severely reduce the usefulness of Wi-Fi Mesh networks.

Weak Security

Wi-Fi’s weak security is partly due to its nomadic hand-over protocol between access points (break-before-make) and lack of two-factor authentication. These weaknesses are undesirable in industries where sensitive and confidential information is frequently transferred wirelessly.


Limited User Threshold

As user density increases, bandwidth per user decreases due to the limited bandwidths of Wi-Fi networks. The result is congested connectivity with reduced performance and slower speeds.

Restricted Quality of Service (QoS)

Restricted ability to control and automate Quality of Service protocols such as bandwidth allocation and congestion management results in significantly higher latency (delays) throughout the Wi-Fi network and limits the usefulness of real time applications.

Unlicensed Frequency Bands and Susceptibility to RF Interferences

Wi-Fi is designed to be used within unlicensed ISM band frequencies. Unlicensed band usage presents network operators with limited control over incoming traffic and high noise levels due to RF interference from multiple APs and/or nearby operators. In locations with multiple RF band frequencies, Wi-Fi Mesh will experience greater and more frequent disturbances to its overall performance due to congestion and interference.

Mission Critical Operations

Although Wi-Fi is exceptionally effective for delay tolerant applications found in the consumer world, its current limitations restrict its use in businesses that depend upon wireless connectivity for mission critical applications. Wi-Fi’s lack of flexibility makes it difficult to use in industries such as mining, energy, and Oil & Gas where expectations and demands are more strenuous.

4.3 LTE - THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE NETWORKS Originally designed to advance the state of mobile communications and replace complex and aging 2G/3G networks, LTE places all data and voice traffic onto a pure IP packet-based network. Networks designed for LTE provide advanced optimization, faster speeds, decreased latency, and numerous other benefits when compared older networks and competing technologies such as Wi-Fi Mesh and LMR.

LTE standards-based architecture also maintains backwards compatibility to the first generation of end-user devices that date back almost 10 years with continual improvements to both functionality and performance introduced with each new generation. As a continuously improving technology, more and more industries are adopting LTE as their standard for wireless connectivity.

Economies of Scale

Private LTE is preferred by industry rather than Public LTE or Wi-Fi Mesh due to its cost-effective infrastructure and lower cost of ownership. With private LTE networks, there are no recurring data costs associated with back-hauling large amounts of data. Although Private LTE has a higher initial cost, its ability to scale with the size and needs of the operation make it a cost-effective investment in the long term when compared to public carriers.

Longer Range

LTE is specifically designed to advance the state of wireless networking and provides greater range and coverage compared to traditional Wi-Fi networks. Private LTE networks also provide seamless handover with full mobility support and can be used to bridge the gap for areas that are under-served or entirely out of the coverage areas of public LTE carriers.


Safer Deployments

Installation of traditional cabled networks is time consuming and there can be substantial production downtimes for safe installations when introduced into areas with high safety concerns. With LTE, broadband service can be provided over large areas with fewer radio devices compared to Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for installing equipment in hazardous areas.

Strong Security

Security is another key advantage of private LTE which keeps traffic local between IoT devices and on-site servers. LTE endpoints require SIM cards and pins which provide a form of two-factor authentication that is not available on Wi-Fi Mesh networks.

Unlimited Number of Users

LTE networks can support many end-users/devices while providing integrated/seamless mobility with a smaller footprint and less supporting infrastructure. The design structure of LTE helps to avoid congestion and periods of degraded performance that Wi-Fi Mesh often experiences.

End-to-End Quality of Service

Quality of Service (QoS) is an important advantage of Private LTE. Flexible QoS controls are available in Private LTE networks to support end-to-end QoS through the Evolved Packet Service (EPS) network. Service quality is guaranteed by coordinating all network elements from service initiation to response and termination. Examples of QoS protocols include the ability to initiate emergency calls and to channel pre-emption and QoS prioritization in multicast scenarios.

QoS parameters are customized depending on geography and application type to ensure the best user experience across all services. Infrastructure can be controlled over-the-air which allows the assignment of priority and preemption depending on the requirements of the business.

Band Frequencies

There are a growing number of band frequency choices for private network operators. With new practical means of accessing these frequencies, an increasing number of private operators are considering the benefits of private networks in the workplace.

An increasing number of options are becoming available for operation in licensed band frequencies. Licensed frequencies have the advantage of minimal competition, allowing administrators to design and implement a true end-to-end QoS based solution without the RF disturbances generally seen in Wi-Fi mesh networks.

In preparation for a future transition to 5G, new options in the 3.3 – 4.0 GHz frequency spectrum will soon become available3. For example, the CBRS (LTE Band 48) is now available in the US. Many countries are now evaluating the band frequency auctioning process to provide smaller organizations with inexpensive access to frequency bands for private enterprise usage.

Hundreds of channels in the 5 GHz unlicensed band spectrum are currently available for private use. LTE-U and Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) provide access to these unlicensed frequencies primarily for aggregation with currently licensed bands.


Flexibility and Support for Mission Critical Applications

The advantages that LTE has over traditional Wi-Fi mesh make it a strong choice for those that value reliable performance for mission critical applications such as PTT.

LTE provides the network operator flexibility in how they wish to design and manage the network, including redundancy. The network can be setup, moved and setup again in an ad-hoc manner to meet business needs at any point in time. High RF interference mitigation improves call quality and reduces re-transmissions that affect real-time services.

Technology 4G LTE Wi-Fi Mesh LMR

Range 10+ KM M <10 KM

Voice Supported OTT or Natively OTT Standard

Data Gbps < Gbps Mbps

Security High Medium Medium

Mobility High Low Medium

Scalability High Medium Low

License(s) Shared, Licensed and Unlicensed Unlicensed Licensed

Channel Widths1.5 - 20

CA to 100MHz

20MHz

CA to 80MHz50 - 150kHz

Interface Mitigation High Medium Low

IOT Support High High Low

Future 5G Wi-Fi 6 Displaced with LTE

Table 1: Private Network Technology Comparison


5.0 APPLICATIONS OF PRIVATE LTE NETWORKS

5.1 OIL AND GAS Oil & Gas enterprises consistently strive to improve efficiency while managing operational costs. Rigs, refineries, and pipelines all have a need for reliable real-time IP communications to support operational activities and to maintain safety. LTE networks can provide an effective long-term solution towards meeting these operational demands.

Solutions

Wired technologies are expensive to install over large areas. LTE wireless networks are more cost effective to install and provides a robust and reliable solution that include added flexibility. For instance, operators can quickly add and remove remote sensor nodes in an ad-hoc manner.

Oil & Gas companies can gather information in real-time from significantly more devices to improve operation efficiency and safety. Solutions requiring high QoS differentiation can also be addressed. For example, employee voice/VoIP or operational controls can be prioritized to ensure there are no delays when delivering critical safety information or control data.

LTE enables intelligent predictive analytics and remote monitoring to facilitate in improvements in pumping efficiency and reduced overhead costs. Pipe conditions and equipment failures can be monitored in real time and be addressed in a faster and more economical approach4.

Figure 3: Redline Digital Oilfield


5.2 ENERGY/UTILITIESIn recent years, there has been a trend in decentralized energy generation through micro-grids containing private and industrial scale wind and solar farms with (DC) energy storage devices. Managing this increasingly dynamic and complex infrastructure requires continuous investment in ‘smart grid’ technology such as automated metering infrastructure (AMI), substation automation, distribution automation, and outage management.

To support smart grid initiatives, operators must provide extensive coverage over large areas with microwave links that extend coverage to remote rural locations5. For most operations, Field Area Networks (FAN) are used to provide wireless connectivity over a large geographical area. Wi-Fi Mesh FANs are expensive and ineffective for large scope operations.

Solutions

To meet utilities goals, private LTE networks can be used to simplify large scale energy management. This fast, secure and reliable network infrastructure can gather real time end-to-end intelligence on the distribution network to control peak loading conditions while providing immediate fault management to minimize energy outages.

LTE FAN can be used as a standards-based cost-effective alternative. By switching to LTE, higher bandwidths can be delivered when compared to proprietary microwave links that have been previously used in the energy supply chain. Lower latency and superior QoS control can facilitate real-time decisions surrounding grid configuration and maintenance.

LTE offers greater flexibility and redundancy when compared to power-line systems. Energy distributors can decrease their reliance on public carriers while taking control of all network operations.

Figure 4: Redline Smart Grid


5.3 SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND MINING Many mining companies are adopting automated technologies such as autonomous operation, remote monitoring, and predictive analytics to cut costs and remain competitive. In many instances, Wi-Fi networks are unable to meet these demands due to continuous changes within the operating environment. Limitations associated with nomadicity and maintaining Wi-Fi connectivity underground drives the demand for a high performance, reliable, and mobile-capable wireless solution6.

Solutions

LTE provides significant network functional improvements to overcome the challenges encountered in open pit and underground mines. For example, LTE asymmetric throughput facilitates mining applications which typically demand intensive data uploads. High throughput with low latency is characteristic of Private LTE and enables mine operators to control critical equipment and improve condition monitoring and production.

Private LTE is an excellent solution for underground operations where public carriers are unable to provide coverage. As band frequencies become more difficult to access, Private LTE offers the opportunity to utilize licensed frequencies underground without disrupting aboveground operations (due to weak RF propagation through soil and earth). Mine operators can select a frequency for its specific underground propagation properties, enabling higher throughput and the ability to generate specialized networks dedicated to IIoT or automation.

Higher transmit power (relative to Wi-Fi) extends coverage per AP and lowers installation and maintenance costs. With greater coverage, mines can reduce the number of radiators (Ex. Leaky-feeder cables) to minimize physical infrastructure and simplify maintenance.

Figure 2: Redline Digital Mining - Surface and Underground


5.4 GOVERNMENTThere has been an increasing demand on municipal regulatory bodies to adopt more wireless technologies. The goal is to achieve a smart city.

According to TechTarget, “A smart city is a municipality that uses information and communication technologies to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public, and improve both the quality of government services and citizen welfare.”7

Modern cities encounter numerous challenges such as safety, security and traffic congestion. Government divisions responsible for these operations express a reluctance to share information resulting in a silo-mentality. A shift towards smart cities allows information to be seamlessly transferred across all divisions. Cities that embrace wireless communication technologies can expect to see improvements in response rates and overall quality of life for its residents8.

Solutions

The operational efficiencies resulting from implementing a private LTE network can improve the quality of city services. LTE networks provide reliable, low latency broadband connectivity for first responders, city workers, and operation center staff. Connections to personnel, vehicles, and fixed infrastructure allows real time communication across all operations.

The extended range of LTE coverage enables municipalities to provide stronger signal strengths to locations that would otherwise be unreachable using traditional Wi-Fi Mesh or hotspots. This also allows municipalities to decrease their reliance on public carriers while taking control of all network operations.


5.5 TRANSPORTATIONPublic transport including buses, railways, and passenger trains are reliant on strong communication systems to ensure safety while modernizing their operations.

Voice and data services are essential for mission-critical operations in transportation. Fast and reliable wireless connections are crucial for dispatchers, administration staff, drivers and clients to share important information such as route changes, weather, breakdowns and delays.

Additional applications include fleet management, inventory, in-vehicle entertainment, recreational on-the-go Wi-Fi, real-time surveillance video, and remote monitoring. Many of these applications would be difficult to support without full mobility.

Solutions

Private LTE networks can be used to meet these demands of remote management. This fast, secure and reliable network infrastructure can gather real time end-to-end intelligence on the transportation network to control transportation systems while providing immediate emergency and delay notifications. High speed mobile data with lower latency and superior QoS controls improve recreational internet usage and quality of service for passengers.


6.0 TRANSITIONING TO 5GFirst deployed commercially in 2009, 4G LTE has captured a large economic sector including chip makers, infrastructure vendors, and end user device manufacturers. Competition among LTE stakeholders has driven down the costs of deploying and operating 4G LTE systems.

Current 4G LTE infrastructure is a standards-based technology (3GPP specifications) with a rich suite of features and is field-proven to be a reliable and secure wireless network solution. 4G LTE and 5G are complementary technologies because 3GPP Release 15 specifications include provisions for Non-Stand Alone 5G LTE, which is derived from the underlying 4G LTE base.

5G will include device ‘densification’ and low latency, enabling use cases for mission-critical control, enhanced mobile broadband, massive IoT applications, and public safety network applications including mission-critical voice and real-time video monitoring and analytics.

By deploying 4G LTE today, businesses ensure both forward compatibility and seamless interoperability for future wireless networks and a clearly defined path towards 5G. When the time comes for companies to integrate 5G network solutions, only targeted investments will be needed in locations where 5G capabilities are required.

The production of 5G network components has started but mass integration and use within business and industry will not occur until the core infrastructure is built and end-user devices supporting 5G become more abundant. According to Ericsson Mobility Report, June 2019, 5G market penetration is expected to reach around 20 percent by 2024. As businesses anticipate the 4-6 year industry 5G rollout, it is important that they remain competitive in today’s market using currently existing technology such as LTE.

7.0 CONCLUSIONSLTE is the backbone of today`s increasingly data centric and automation focused industries and provides the necessary speed, connectivity, and reliability for mission critical operations.

LTE was originally used as a public carrier solution for mobile devices, but Private LTE has become increasingly common in both the private and public sector. The three advantages Private LTE offers are its enhanced security, flexible QoS controls, and customizable network configurations.

Competing technologies to LTE include LMR and Wi-Fi mesh. LMR is limited in its functionality and only provides simple functions such as PTT. Wi-Fi mesh is ideal for use in small enterprises but does not scale effectively with larger operations.

In instances where Wi-Fi Mesh networks and LMR perform poorly, LTE networks serve as an excellent replacement. LTE networks provide reliability and robustness in mission critical operations and offer greater flexibility.

Private LTE networks are becoming frequently used across industries such as mining, Oil & Gas, energy/utilities, government, and transportation. These sectors often have specific demands that Wi-Fi mesh, LMR, and Public LTE (carriers) are unable to accommodate.

4G LTE also provides a smooth transition to 5G. The technology for 5G is an extension of the 3GPP standards for 4G LTE and ensures backwards compatibility. 5G market penetration is expected to be approximately 20% by 2024. Until then, 4G LTE is a low risk investment that can meet the current demands of many industries and these investments will be preserved in the future transition to 5G.


8.0 REFERENCES1. Ericsson Mobility Report, June 2019: https://www.ericsson.com/49d1d9/assets/local/mobility-report/

documents/2019/ericsson-mobility-report-june-2019.pdf

2. Global Growth of Private LTE Markets: https://www. marketsandmarkets. com/Market-Reports/private-lte-market-64117901. html

3. Private LTE for the Enterprise: https://cradlepoint. com/private-lte

4. IoT In Oil & Gas: Analyzing Technology & Use Cases: https://www. link-labs. com/blog/iot-oil-gas-use-cases

5. The Importance of 5G for Utilities: https://electricenergyonline. com/energy/magazine/1165/article/The-Importance-of-5G-for-Utilities. htm

6. 3 Use Cases for Private CBRS LTE Networks: https://www. sierra wireless. com/iot-blog/iot-blog/2019/04/cbrs-lte-networks/

7. Smart City: https://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/definition/smart-city

8. How Smart City and IoT Technologies Help Governments & Communities: https://cradlepoint. com/blog/cradlepoint/how-smart-city-and-iot-technologies-help-governments-communities

20200812 SB-APLTE © 2020 Redline Communications Inc. All rights reserved.All logos and product names are the trademarks of their respective owners, errors and omissions excepted.

302 Town Centre Blvd. Toronto, ON L3R 0E8 Canada

w rdlcom.com t +1.905.479.8344 e [email protected] tf +1.866.633.6669

ABOUT REDLINE COMMUNICATIONSRedline is a global leader in the design and development of industrial grade networking equipment. With over 20 years of experience, Redline provides the necessary LTE equipment and assistance for businesses to create resilient and cost-effective networks.

As an early adopter, Redline has an aggressive program to make 5G available to its industrial customers in advance of the estimated 2024 global deployment.

Redline will provide the guidance you need from conceptualization to deployment and maintenance of your private LTE network. Services include RF planning, deployment services, certified training for personnel, and 24/7 Technical Assistance Center.

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9.0 GLOSSARY OF TERMS

3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project

CBRS Citizens Broadband Radio Service

eNB Evolved Node B

E-UTRAN Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

IoT Internet of Things

ISM Industrial Scientific Medical

LMR Land Mobile Radio

LTE Long Term Evolution

NMS Network Management System

PTT Push to Talk

QoS Quality of Service

RF Radio Frequency

UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service

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