What is a CBRS-neutral host?

If you're responsible for managing your company's network, you know that reliable indoor cellular coverage is often a challenge. CBRS-neutral host technology could be the answer you’ve been looking for, offering a flexible, cost-effective way to enhance connectivity across your facility. But what is CBRS?

You’ll discover:

• What CBRS is and how it works
• Meter’s plans to offer it as a new product, directly integrated into its comprehensive networking hardware stack
• The different components of a CBRS-neutral host system
• How CBRS stands out from traditional systems
• Why Meter is only getting better

What is CBRS, and why is it important?

CBRS, or Citizens Broadband Radio Service, is a section of the radio spectrum (3.55 GHz to 3.7 GHz) made available by the FCC for shared commercial use, allowing businesses to extend cellular networks. Unlike traditional licensed spectrums, CBRS operates in a shared model with different access levels, providing an alternative to traditional licensed spectrums, which can simplify deployment. 

The real advantage of CBRS lies in its ability to significantly enhance indoor cellular coverage in environments where conventional signals face interference—such as:

• Large office buildings
• Warehouses
• Industrial settings

CBRS-neutral host systems can leverage existing CAT6 Ethernet infrastructure, reducing installation complexity compared to legacy systems like Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), but it still requires specialized CBRS radios and components.

CBRS offers more control and flexibility over connectivity. Businesses can set up private Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or 5G networks, granting the ability to manage traffic, prioritize mission-critical applications, and maintain reliable connectivity even in challenging indoor environments. It also excels in handling high device density, reducing interference, and providing a stable signal for employees, visitors, and IoT devices.

The result is stronger, more reliable coverage that adapts to the unique demands of an enterprise environment, making CBRS a versatile solution for businesses aiming to optimize indoor cellular performance.

What is a CBRS-neutral host system?

A CBRS-neutral host system uses the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum to deliver cellular coverage across multiple carriers through a unified infrastructure. It operates like a central hub, distributing cellular signals throughout a building and eliminating the need for separate systems for each carrier.

Compared to traditional DAS systems, CBRS-neutral hosts are more practical. DAS installations involve intricate wiring, high costs, and long deployment times. In contrast, CBRS-neutral hosts connect using existing CAT6 Ethernet wiring, significantly reducing installation complexity and expense, making them a flexible, scalable solution suitable for various building sizes and layouts.

These systems excel in environments where dependable cellular coverage is critical:

• Office buildings: Resolve dead spots, delivering consistent service for employees and visitors.
• Retail spaces: Support mobile transactions and improve customer experiences.
• Warehouses: Provide reliable communication across expansive areas, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Hotels and resorts: Maintain connectivity across rooms, lobbies, and outdoor areas.
• Healthcare facilities: Offer uninterrupted coverage for professionals who need rapid access to data and communication.
• Residential towers: Keep tenants connected in areas with typically weak signals, such as basements or higher floors.
• University campuses: Deliver broad coverage for academic and residential spaces.
• Parking garages: Improve cellular access, which benefits security and payment systems.
• Event venues and convention centers: Handle high traffic with stable, multi-carrier service.

CBRS-neutral hosts present an adaptable, cost-effective alternative to DAS, making them a smart choice for businesses aiming for dependable indoor cellular coverage across different settings.

How Meter's NaaS platform integrates CBRS-neutral host technology

If customers need it, Meter’s new product, Cellular, allows customers to deploy reliable cell service as easily as Wi-Fi. This leverages a new Cellular Access Point with CBRS-neutral host technology, fully integrated as part of its existing hardware stack. By combining Meter’s expertise in Networking with CBRS spectrum capabilities, businesses can access high-quality cellular service without the typical challenges of traditional systems.

Introducing Meter Cellular

Meter Cellular leverages CBRS-neutral host technology to bring high-quality indoor cellular coverage to enterprise environments. It’s currently in beta as of October 2, 2024, with a broader release scheduled for January 2025.

What sets Meter Cellular apart is that it’s a fully managed service, offering businesses a straightforward way to enhance their cellular connectivity without needing to tackle the complexities themselves.

Integrated design and installation

Meter handles the entire process, from assessing your building’s cellular coverage needs to implementing the solution. The site survey assesses your building’s cellular coverage needs and identifies optimal placements for Cellular Access Points to ensure the best coverage.

Installation utilizes standard CAT6 Ethernet cabling, which avoids the extensive infrastructure changes that traditional DAS systems require. This method significantly reduces installation time and minimizes disruptions to ongoing operations.

As a network engineer or IT manager, you benefit from a deployment that fits into existing networking setups without requiring complex modifications. Meter’s team brings the technical expertise to create a solution that integrates efficiently with your infrastructure.

Meter Cellular provides proactive support for your indoor coverage

The platform actively monitors the cellular network's performance, identifying and addressing any issues before they become problematic. Regular data assessments mean any adjustments needed are handled promptly, ensuring that your coverage remains consistent and effective over time.

Meter offers ongoing support and optimization, allowing your IT staff to focus on core projects instead of dedicating resources to managing cellular infrastructure. It’s a complete solution that adapts to your needs, keeping your network running efficiently with minimal intervention required on your part.

What are the different components of a CBRS-neutral host system?

A CBRS-neutral host system brings together various components to create a reliable cellular network within an enterprise environment. Understanding these components helps in grasping how the CBRS-neutral host system delivers consistent, carrier-grade cellular service within indoor spaces.

CBRS spectrum: The foundation of connectivity

CBRS operates in a three-tier structure that balances access:

• Incumbent access: Top priority goes to federal users like the military and satellite operations. Other users must yield if incumbents activate their spectrum rights.
• Priority Access License (PAL): Licenses available to enterprises in specific regions, offering priority over the general public.
• General Authorized Access (GAA): Open to everyone, allowing dynamic use of the remaining spectrum on an as-needed basis.

This tiered system offers flexibility and broad access for enterprise deployments.

Network hardware and software: The operational core

The CBRS-neutral host relies on a combination of hardware and software to function:

• CBRS radios: Distribute the CBRS band signal throughout the facility, converting network data into radio signals.
• Antennas: Strategically placed to extend coverage, eliminating weak spots and maintaining strong cellular connections.
• Controllers: Manage signal distribution and prioritize traffic, adapting to changes in demand and usage patterns.
• Management software: Provides oversight, monitoring network performance, and traffic patterns, allowing adjustments and optimizations when needed.

The components discussed here interact to create a cohesive CBRS-neutral host system, delivering reliable indoor cellular coverage tailored for enterprise environments.

A CBRS-neutral host improves indoor cellular coverage

Indoor cellular coverage often struggles with obstacles like thick walls, metal structures, and signal interference, leading to frustrating dead zones and dropped calls. CBRS-neutral host technology offers a solution by delivering stronger, more reliable cellular coverage within buildings.

Enhanced signal penetration

CBRS-neutral hosts excel in providing strong, consistent signals using the CBRS band that cuts through dense building materials like concrete, glass, and metal. Traditional cellular networks struggle with these barriers, but the CBRS system generates a more resilient signal. Such adaptability ensures coverage reaches even those hard-to-reach corners, making dropped connections far less likely.

Elimination of dead zones

Dead spots in coverage become a thing of the past with a CBRS-neutral host. By deploying multiple access points throughout your building, the system actively distributes the cellular signal across every space. The targeted distribution offers uniform connectivity, regardless of a building's unique layout or construction, resulting in fewer dropped calls and stable data speeds.

Support for multiple carriers

CBRS-neutral hosts accommodate various carriers on a single network infrastructure. Employees, guests, and devices from carriers like AT&T or T-Mobile connect without issue. A carrier-agnostic design such as this means there's no need for separate setups, allowing the system to adapt and maintain consistent coverage for everyone.

How does a CBRS-neutral host compare to other indoor cellular solutions?

Comparing indoor cellular solutions reveals key differences in how each technology tackles coverage, cost, and deployment. A CBRS-neutral host presents a more modern alternative, addressing these challenges with greater flexibility and simplicity.

Traditional DAS vs. CBRS-neutral host

Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) have been the go-to solution for indoor cellular coverage in the past, but they come with several challenges:

• Lengthy installation: DAS requires complex infrastructure, including coaxial cables and dedicated equipment rooms. Installations often stretch over six months or more. CBRS-neutral hosts, using CAT6 Ethernet wiring, reduce this process to just 6 to 8 weeks.
• High costs: DAS involves substantial upfront expenses for equipment and labor. In contrast, CBRS-neutral host through Meter offers a more predictable monthly OpEx model, making budgeting easier.
• Carrier limitations: DAS setups typically need coordination with individual carriers, complicating deployment. CBRS-neutral hosts operate independently of carriers, delivering coverage without the red tape.

CBRS-neutral hosts stand out with faster installations, lower costs, and fewer carrier-specific complications.

Small cells vs. CBRS-neutral host

Small cells serve smaller areas and require multiple units to cover larger spaces, which leads to:

• Coverage fragmentation: Small cells often need several units to cover expansive areas, making them less efficient for large environments. CBRS-neutral hosts provide broader coverage with fewer components, reducing the hardware footprint.
• Interference management: Multiple small cells can create interference, requiring constant adjustments. The centralized nature of a CBRS-neutral host minimizes this issue, ensuring more reliable connectivity.
• Maintenance demands: Each small cell requires separate management and maintenance, increasing the workload. A CBRS-neutral host consolidates these tasks, simplifying network management.

CBRS-neutral hosts excel in providing more extensive, reliable coverage with simplified management.

Wi-Fi offloading

Wi-Fi offloading diverts cellular traffic onto Wi-Fi networks, but CBRS-neutral hosts offer notable advantages:

• Dedicated spectrum: CBRS-neutral hosts use the CBRS spectrum, avoiding competition with other Wi-Fi devices. This means higher performance for cellular traffic, even when the Wi-Fi network is under heavy load.
• Consistent signal quality: Unlike Wi-Fi, which fluctuates based on distance and interference, CBRS-neutral hosts maintain consistent signal quality, enhancing overall user experience.
• Enhanced security: Cellular traffic on a CBRS-neutral host remains more secure than Wi-Fi, reducing risks for enterprises handling sensitive data.

CBRS-neutral hosts not only complement Wi-Fi networks but also provide dedicated, high-quality cellular coverage.

They also surpass traditional DAS, small cells, and Wi-Fi offloading in coverage efficiency, deployment simplicity, and cost-effectiveness. CBRS-neutral hosts represent a smart choice for enterprises aiming to enhance indoor cellular connectivity with minimal hassle.

Meter Cellular offers another way to get connected in addition to its leading NaaS platform

Now that you understand what CBRS is and all of its benefits of improving indoor cellular coverage, we’re happy to announce Meter Cellular, reliable cell service deployed as easily as Wi-Fi. Now in beta since October 2nd, with full availability scheduled for January 2025, Cellular offers a fully managed experience right from the start.

Features you can expect:

• Simplified deployment: Meter handles the entire setup, from surveying your site to activating Meter Cellular. The process is much faster than traditional DAS, cutting down installation times to as little as 6 to 8 weeks.
• Expert support: Ongoing guidance and periodic maintenance from Meter’s support team help maintain your network's performance. Any issues are addressed promptly, freeing up your IT team to focus on core tasks rather than troubleshooting cellular connectivity.
• Consistent and reliable coverage: CBRS-neutral host technology provides strong signal penetration, eliminating dead zones and ensuring a steady, carrier-grade cellular signal throughout the entire facility, even in challenging environments. This ensures uninterrupted communication and data transfer, crucial for maintaining productivity.
• Multi-carrier support: The neutral host model supports connectivity for major carriers, offering an inclusive network for employees, visitors, and guests. You don’t need separate infrastructure to accommodate different providers, simplifying management while enhancing overall connectivity.
• Integrated network management: Meter Cellular will initially launch without direct dashboard monitoring support, but it’s designed to enhance cellular coverage, and its integration with NaaS infrastructure will evolve as the product develops.
• Compliance and security: The CBRS-neutral host technology supports E911 compliance, ensuring accurate emergency service access when needed. The CBRS spectrum provides multiple layers of DNS security, safeguarding your enterprise network from unauthorized access to maintain the integrity and privacy of your communications.

Including Meter Cellular in addition to your NaaS plan, or as a separate purchase altogether, means dependable, high-quality indoor cellular coverage that adapts to your changing business needs. To find out more, contact Meter today.