Zyxel’s CBRS Solutions Provide Efficient, Cost-Effective Ways to Connect Rural/Remote LTE and 5G Subscribers
Whether wired or wireless, broadband providers are seizing the sales opportunities offered by the CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) band for serving rural/remote internet customers. According to a CBRS equipment forecast from SNS Telecom & IT, investment in CBRS equipment will pass $1 billion in 2023 for 4G LTE and 5G radio access network (RAN) infrastructure. This investment makes good business sense, because rural/remote internet users have long been an underserved market willing to pay for urban-quality broadband service.
The key to success in the CBRS rural/remote marketplace is investing in the right kind of LTE/5G network technology that satisfies customers’ expectations – namely indoor/outdoor broadband RF equipment that is reliable, affordable, easy to install and provision, and that meets industry standards such as the CBRS Alliance’s OnGo certification.
As a broadband gateway pioneer for more than 30 years, Zyxel offers a range of high quality CBRS products for LTE and 5G network applications. All are built to provide dependable, consistent service, using technology that is affordable to acquire and extremely easy for low-level technicians and consumers to install.
At the forefront: Zyxel’s LTE7485 Outdoor Router Receives OnGo certification
Rural/remote broadband providers need outdoor CBRS routers that can provide the lightning-fast speeds that their internet clients demand, by delivering consistent computer and Smart TV performance that matches the urban broadband experience.
Zyxel’s high-power LTE7485-S905 4G LTE-A Outdoor Router (LTE7485) can do just that, as illustrated by its OnGo certification by the CBRS Alliance. To attain this third-party proof of worthiness, the LTE7485 underwent rigorous testing by an independent authorized test laboratory that validated its interoperability with other multi-vendor OnGo-certified equipment.
The LTE7485 has also been tested and validated for full interoperability by the top three Spectrum Access System (SAS) server vendors (Commscope, Google, and Federated Wireless). Collectively, this cost-effective, high-speed outdoor router has proven its interoperable suitability for multi-vendor, large-scale CBRS deployments.
In terms of actual performance, the LTE7485 transmits at 36 dBm EIRP, which is the maximum power allowed. The LTE7485's signal reception capability is similarly maximized by its 4x4 MIMO 13 dBi high-gain antenna. Meanwhile, the LTE7485's built-in SAS (Spectrum Access System) agent allows it to connect directly to an operator’s SAS server. The practical result is to significantly enhance the LTE7485's coverage in near line-of-sight conditions, such as rural/remote areas.
The LTE7485's use of 3GPP UE category 16 technology supports downlink rates up to 580 Mbps, when connected through eight spatial streams on two carrier aggregations. This IP68-hardened industrial outdoor device can also perform bridge and router functions to enable flexible deployment, be remotely tested and managed using the TR-069 protocol, and easily configured by technicians using Zyxel’s LTE Ally app (available in iOS and Android).
A case in point: The “Audio Cue” option on the LTE Ally app emits a tone that quickens in speed as the signal being received at the LTE7485 (and other Zyxel devices) increases in strength. This audio tuning feature allows the technician to pocket their smartphone during antenna alignment, leaving two hands free to do the job. Audio Cue is a typical example of Zyxel’s dedication to making its products as simple to install and maintain as possible.
Part of the LTE Family
The LTE7485 is one of many capable devices in Zyxel’s LTE Series.
The LTE7480 is a lower-power outdoor router companion to the LTE7485, so it can be deployed without the permission of the SAS server. It uses the same MIMO antenna to deliver download speeds up to 580 Mbps.
The LTE5388 is an indoor LTE router. Tastefully housed in a sleek black enclosure (akin to a smart speaker in shape), the LTE5388 also shares the same protocols, antennas and download speeds as the LTE 7480/7485, but with an omni-directional antenna design which is more suitable for indoor deployment. It has been designed for easy self-installation by rural/remote customers within their homes and offices.
Ready for 5G: Zyxel’s New 5G CBRS Router
Zyxel’s new NR5213 5G NR indoor router (NR5213) supports the latest 5G NR technology while maintaining full backward compatibility with 4G networks, thus providing the best of both worlds for broadband providers.
The NR5213 provides 5G NR download speeds up to 4.7 Gbps and 4G LTE downloads up to 1.6 Gbps. Its use of wide spectrum bandwidth accelerates internet connectivity, while reducing signal latency.
Both advances result in increased customer satisfaction, even during real-time online gaming sessions. This capability is particularly desirable in rural/remote areas, where reliable broadband speed can be a strong sales tool.
The NR5213 is easy to install using Zyxel’s mobile apps. It can be remotely managed using protocols such as TR-069, TR-181, TR-143, HTTP/web GUI, and FTP. The NR5213 is the simple, painless way to bring 5G connectivity to remote and rural customers.
Band Pilot: Zyxel’s Answer to Remote Equipment Management
Zyxel’s Band Pilot is a cloud-based platform expressly built for broadband service providers. It allows providers to remotely deploy, monitor, test, and manage Zyxel’s suite of LTE and 5G indoor/outdoor CBRS CPE products from the convenience of their own premises.
Using the Band Pilot dashboard, system operators can check the online status, model, and firmware status of every device on their CBRS networks. Band Pilot can also provide histogram charts of RF performance across the network(s) on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis, based on metrics such as RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ and SINR. One-click Zoom In and Zoom Out features allow the user to obtain detailed RF information during specific time periods with ease.
Band Pilot’s system architecture makes it easy to run firmware updates on individual or multiple devices as required. Meanwhile, its TR143-based diagnostic tools (Speed Test, Ping, and Tracerouter) take the guesswork out of remote troubleshooting when fielding calls from customers. The result is better broadband service for operators and subscribers alike.
The Bottom Line
Zyxel’s LTE/5G solutions and Band Pilot allow service providers to more easily deploy and manage reliable remote networks while delivering better internet experiences to their subscribers. It’s a win-win combination that benefits everyone in the CBRS broadband space.
To learn more about Zyxel's LTE/5G CBRS solutions, contact them at [email protected] or check out their web site at www.zyxel.com.
The editorial staff had no role in this post's creation.