Private Shared Wireless Network

A Private Shared Wireless Network (PSWN) is a wide area wireless radio telecommunications network developed and provided by different entities specifically for the use of public safety, utilities,{{cite web|last=Fehrenbacher|first=Katie|title=10 Reasons Utilities Want to Build Their Own Smart Grid Networks|url=http://gigaom.com/2010/07/28/10-reasons-utilities-want-to-build-their-own-smart-grid-networks/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130912134319/http://gigaom.com/2010/07/28/10-reasons-utilities-want-to-build-their-own-smart-grid-networks/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 12, 2013|work=www.gigaom.com|access-date=29 July 2013}}{{cite web|last=Johnston|first=Stephen Johnston|title=10 Reasons Why Utilities Want to Use Public Networks for Smart Grid|url=http://gigaom.com/2010/08/02/10-reasons-why-utilities-want-to-use-public-networks/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311032316/https://gigaom.com/2010/08/02/10-reasons-why-utilities-want-to-use-public-networks/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2015|work=www.gigaom.com|date=2 August 2010 |access-date=29 July 2013}} machine to machine, and business communications. Its broad area coverage allows for a greater signal range and a lower cost of implementation. Public safety agencies and businesses utilize{{cite web|title=Case Study: New York City Wireless Network|url=http://www.gdc4s.com/Documents/NotInNavDocs/NewYorkCityWirelessNetwork.pdf|work=www.gdc4s.com|publisher=General Dynamics Broadband|access-date=18 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204144156/http://www.gdc4s.com/Documents/NotInNavDocs/NewYorkCityWirelessNetwork.pdf|archive-date= December 4, 2013|url-status=dead}} Private Shared Wireless Networks to send and receive data, communicate, and receive diagnostics information on their fixed equipment, vehicles or employees.

A Private Shared Wireless Network is built to operate on frequencies that are separate from those of public cellular communications networks and other publicly accessible wireless cellular or radio networks so to avoid their associated network congestion and security vulnerabilities.

Background

Since 9/11, when data interoperability between first responders radio communications{{cite web|last=Brito|first=Jerry|title=Sending Out an S.O.S.: Public Safety Communications Interoperability as a Collective Action Problem|url=http://www.fclj.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/7-Brito.pdf|work=www.fclj.org|publisher=The Federal Communications Law Journal|access-date=29 July 2013}} and interference issues with public networks led to loss of life,{{cite web|last=Moore|first=Linda K.|title=The First Responder Network and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress|url=http://www.acuta.org/wcm/acuta/legreg/061213a.pdf|work=www.acuta.org|publisher=Congressional Research Service|access-date=29 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328075020/http://www.acuta.org/wcm/acuta/legreg/061213a.pdf|archive-date=28 March 2014|url-status=dead}} the US federal government has expressed a need for an interoperable communications networks for first responders.{{cite web|title=The National Broadband Plan - Connecting America|url=http://www.broadband.gov/plan/16-public-safety/|work=www.broadband.gov|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=29 July 2013}}

One of the U.S. government's attempts at creating a private shared wireless network occurred in 2008, with FCC Spectrum Auction 73. The radio spectrum being sold was divided into five blocks, A, B, C, D and E.{{cite web|title=Auctions Summary-Awards of the Digital Dividend Spectrum|url=http://www.gsma.com/spectrum/wp-content/uploads/DigitalDividend/DDtoolkit/auctions-summary.html|work=www.gsma.com|publisher=The GSM Association|access-date=29 July 2013}} It was the D block that held special conditions placed upon the winner; mainly that whoever purchased this spectrum would be required to build out a next generation network that will also support public safety broadband services.{{cite web|title=UCTION OF 700 MHz BAND LICENSES Revised Procedure for Auctions 73 and 76|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-07-4514A1.pdf|work=www.fcc.gov|publisher=The Federal Communications Commission|access-date=29 July 2013}} The only bid{{cite web|title=Provisionally Winning Bids Round 261|url=https://auctionbidding.fcc.gov/auction/index.htm?CFID=3198717&CFTOKEN=39737152&jsessionid=rWRnR2pB1nVbZblT03QthqFdBvmBBLpP9sKkSCvyJMvw8ntfkJnq!-885441721!267573903!1375133345198|work=www.fcc.gov|publisher=The Federal Communications Commission|access-date=29 July 2013}} on this block of spectrum did not meet the minimum reserve price,{{cite web|title=Auction 73 700 MHz Band Summary|url=http://wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/default.htm?job=auction_summary&id=73|work=www.fcc.gov|publisher=The Federal Communications Commission|access-date=29 July 2013}} and thus the shared network was never realized.

As a result, many telecommunications equipment providers have begun building their own{{cite web|title=Choosing A Replacement For Your Sprint Nextel PTT Services|url=http://www.motorolasolutions.com/web/Business/Products/Enterprise%20Voice/_Documents/_Static%20files/Sprint_Nextel_Alternative_Enterprise_Voice-Solution_Brief.pdf|work=www.motorolasolutions.com|publisher=Motorola Solutions|access-date=29 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423062558/http://www.motorolasolutions.com/web/Business/Products/Enterprise%20Voice/_Documents/_Static%20files/Sprint_Nextel_Alternative_Enterprise_Voice-Solution_Brief.pdf|archive-date=April 23, 2013|url-status=dead}} private shared networks,{{cite web|title=Private Wireless Utility Field Area Networks|url=http://www.navigantresearch.com/research/private-wireless-utility-field-area-networks|work=www.navigantresearch.com|access-date=29 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926072142/http://www.navigantresearch.com/research/private-wireless-utility-field-area-networks|archive-date=26 September 2014|url-status=dead}} and selling various services and applications to businesses,{{cite web|title=Verizon Wireless Private Network|url=http://business.verizonwireless.com/content/dam/b2b/resources/Private_Ntwk_White_Paper.pdf|work=www.business.verizonwireless.com|access-date=29 July 2013}}{{cite web|title=Interoperability Systems|url=http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps10165/Products_Sub_Category_Home.html|work=www.cisco.com|publisher=Cisco Systems|access-date=29 July 2013}} such as AVL/GPS, asset tracking via RFID & barcode scanning, and 2-way messaging.

Composition and function

A Private Shared Wireless Network is made up of multiple communications towers and base stations, each at a fixed location, spread about a given geographic area for ubiquitous coverage. The data exchange generally occurs between a company's assets via a vehicle mounted mobile data terminal, or via an RFID, and a central dispatching logistics center. This allows the dispatcher the ability to monitor and correct the performance of these assets remotely.{{cite web|title=Technology Overview - Data Dispatch|url=http://www.mobile-knowledge.com/Technology%20Overview%20-%20Data%20Dispatch.html|work=www.mobile-knowledge.com|publisher=MobileKnowledge|access-date=29 July 2013}}

Private Shared Wireless Networks are generally engineered for data-only communications networks. This allows for a greater number of users on the network and more reliable communications, as data makes much more efficient use of wireless spectrum than does voice.{{cite web|last=GRYTA|first=THOMAS|title=Wireless Carriers Move to New Technology—for Voice|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323699704578326361049129122|work=online.wsj.com|date=25 February 2013 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=29 July 2013}} Many regional and municipal governments have begun to create and engineer their own private networks over multiple tower infrastructures.{{cite web|last=The Atlantic Group of Companies|title=STRATEGIC PLAN FOR COMMERCIAL WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES 2012 UPDATE|url=http://www.co.bedford.va.us/Planning/pdf/telecommunications.pdf|work=www.co.bedford.va.us|publisher=Board of Supervisors|location=Bedford County, Virginia|access-date=29 July 2013}} Companies such as Cisco Systems have invested in Private Shared Wireless Networks as part of their strategic planning.{{cite web|title=Moving Into Substation Networking, Cisco Seizes Smart Grid's Low-Hanging Fruit|url=http://pro.gigaom.com/blog/moving-into-substation-networking-cisco-seizes-smart-grids-low-hanging-fruit/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130912134247/http://pro.gigaom.com/blog/moving-into-substation-networking-cisco-seizes-smart-grids-low-hanging-fruit/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 12, 2013|work=www.pro.gigaom.com|publisher=Gigsom.com|access-date=29 July 2013}}

Private Shared Wireless Networks are an evolving solution addressing the communication and data requirements of government at the national, regional and municipal level, as well as utility companies, transportation companies and businesses which require a private solution operating via an established tower based network. US government mandates have fueled a need for first responders to operate in an interoperable manner.{{cite web|last=Obama|first=Barak|title=Presidential Memorandum -- Expanding America's Leadership in Wireless Innovation|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/06/14/presidential-memorandum-expanding-americas-leadership-wireless-innovatio|work=White House|date=14 June 2013 |publisher=Office of the Press Secretary|access-date=29 July 2013}} A Private Shared Wireless Network is a network available to businesses who seek an alternative from those hosted by cellular companies.

Private Shared Wireless Network

Background

Composition and function

References

Further reading