$12 Million 5G private network pilot using shared spectrum for US Department of Defense

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Federated Wireless 5G private network to support smart warehouse initiative and modernise US Marine operations.

DOD
(Image credit: DOD)

Shared spectrum and Citizens Broadband Radio Service technology company, Federated Wireless, has announced it recently led a successful demonstration of the US Marine Corps Base Albany 5G Testbed for the US Department of Defense. This was through the use of 5G enabled IoT applications such as warehouse robotics, and holographic, augmented and virtual reality applications. The initiative is aimed at modernising the US Marine Corps operations.

 

'The US has access to wide swaths of spectrum."

Federated Wireless.

“We have proven that with this model the US has access to wide swaths of spectrum that will enable our country to become a force in 5G technology,” said Federated Wireless, in a statement. 

Smart Warehouse Technology 

The demonstration showcased the capabilities of the $12 million prototype Smart Warehouse Technology by reaching high-speed downloads of 1.5 Gbps and sub 15 msec latency using 380 MHz of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz and 37 GHz millimeter wave shared DoD bands. Federated Wireless provided the automated sharing framework for the 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum band. This included its Spectrum Controller and nationwide ESC network of sensors.

"This pilot further underscores the importance of spectrum sharing between government and non-government entitiesInsert quote here."

Jennifer McCarthy, Federated Wireless.

“This pilot further underscores the importance of spectrum sharing between government and non-government entities while proving it can deliver the spectral efficiency and high bandwidth capacity necessary for private 5G wireless networks,” said Jennifer McCarthy, vice president of legal advocacy for Federated Wireless. “We have proven that with this model the US has access to wide swaths of spectrum that will enable our country to become a force in 5G technology,” McCarthy continued. 

Prototype 5G network

The prototype 5G network was built on the next generation of Open Radio Network standards and was designed to comply with DoD specifications for zero-trust architecture for native security and secure connectivity with other networks. The prototype is a part of the US DoD’s “Tranche 1” of 5G projects, a more than $500 million DoD investment in advanced 5G technology. Once completed, the prototype will deploy in Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia as a private 5G network and use up to 750 MHz of available shared spectrum bandwidth for higher performance.

"5G can provide a leap ahead experience."

Sal D’Itri, Federated Wireless.

“At the demonstration, we witnessed a simple fact, namely that the US lead innovation of shared spectrum and 5G can provide a leap ahead experience for the DoD and for US businesses,” said Sal D’Itri, vice president and general manager, public sector for Federated Wireless. “We are excited to accelerate IoT modernisation across the DoD and the commercial enterprise leveraging dual use, shared spectrum access as we deliver on the promise of 5G.”

Rachael Sharpe
Rachael Sharpe

Rachael is a British journalist with 17 years experience in the publishing industry. Since launching www.digitalcameraworld.com, she’s been freelancing, and working for some of the world’s best-loved websites and magazines including T3.com and TechRadar.com and has also had a book, iPad for Photographers, published. A regular contributor at 5Gradar, Rachael is following the 5G market closely. Find out more at www.rachaelsharpe.com