Rapidly increasing uses of technology in government require LTE and 5G for flexibility in the field
Every section of the federal government has a responsibility to provide consistent services and keep communities safe. In the past, federal workers dealt with the unpredictability of whether a wired link would be available or if it would be able to support the latest advancements in technology. In many instances, agencies are enabling the rapid rise of govtech with wireless broadband solutions.
Using LTE and 5G improves agility, flexibility, and resiliency in a variety of situations, including the following networking use cases.
Pop-Up Networks
For agencies and emergency services that are constantly on the move, it is critical to have a network that is secure and reliable but also easy to deploy quickly.
Pop-up LTE solutions enable on-demand, instantly deployed wireless connectivity for a variety of operations ranging from USDA/FSIS inspectors to maintenance of an aircraft. By using cellular broadband, federal workers complete the job anytime without relying on another organization’s network.
Remote Work from Anywhere
Most industries have implemented remote work from anywhere options, and federal agencies are no exception. According to a recent ASIC survey, 82% of federal executives polled expect telework to continue post-pandemic.
For government employees with high-bandwidth technology needs at home, providing cloud-managed LTE routers for remote work enables a dedicated network — isolated from the user’s home network — that the IT team can centrally control without on-site intervention. The agency can monitor and control network connection performance and information security while staff members focus on completing their work.
Disaster Response Kits
With no time to waste during any type of emergency, there is an urgent need for Internet connectivity to ensure life-saving work can start immediately. Disaster response kits with built in LTE provide a flexible and on-the-go network within a ruggedized case that is easy to transport and can be used within the most austere environment.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fort Benning needed immediate network connectivity for temporary quarantine tents that spanned more than 34 acres. Mobile Broadband Kits (MBKs) provided the flexibility and security the U.S. Army needed for applications and devices used to decrease the spread of the virus at the training outpost.
Smart Bases
Military bases are becoming more advanced. Base commanders are looking to create operational efficiencies while also reducing costs without sacrificing mission readiness. Deploying Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications requires network solutions that seamlessly connect numerous things and that can be easily managed by IT staffers working anywhere.
There are great examples of this around most bases. Monitoring fuel distribution locations. Connecting surveillance and security equipment and drones. Using 4G LTE as the primary link instead of wired broadband allows for high availability and low latency for these constantly evolving technologies where a wired broadband connection may not exist. This allows any base within the five branches of military to run smoothly and meet the requirements of the base commanders without large amounts of downtime or costs.
Mobile Command Centers
Federal government agencies are not limited to brick-and-mortar locations. Both home and abroad, the government has many types of vehicles that must have reliable connectivity while they are on the move.
The USS Enterprise (CVN-65) needed network connectivity to provide controlled Internet access to the berthing barge as the ship was being inactivated. Why? So crew members would have the ability to complete their work efficiently and communicate with their families back home. The barge required a network solution that was secure, robust enough to serve nearly 300 crew members, and easy to deploy. The solution? An in-vehicle router embedded with LTE for reliable 24x7 connectivity.