Preparing for 5G in Mobile Command Vehicles
Cellular network connectivity is the primary source of data for most users in mobile command vehicles. Reliability is key. Outdated cellular technology will experience at best lower speeds, and at worst a lack of services.
Last month we discussed some lesser-known cellular technology that can improve coverage range and data speeds for first responders. This month we’ll address the important issue of 5G adoption.
By now, everyone is well aware of the transition to 5G services. We’ve heard promises of cellular speeds that can compete with the data rates offered by copper or even fiber optic cabling to our buildings. Many of our customers ask about 5G. Most of it comes down to two major questions:
“When will 5G be available?”
“How can I make sure my mobile command vehicle is future-proofed for 5G?”
When Will I Have 5G?
There’s a lot to this and fully deploying 5G is going to take a significant amount of time. Some folks already have 5G, but typically it’s (for lack of a better term) “fake” 5G, a marketing ploy. Your iPhone may say 5G in the upper corner, but unless it’s an iPhone 12 it’s not 5G ready.
To properly deploy nation-wide 5G, the government needs to approve blocks of frequencies in which 5G can communicate. Proponents of 5G note that it should operate at multiple points in the spectrum: a lower frequency (like your FM radio), a mid-frequency (over-the-air television), and a high frequency (satellite communications). These blocks of frequencies are currently owned by companies or have public designations for different types of use. This often varies state by state, or even county by county.
Sadly, it can be a zero-sum game. Some stakeholders in certain frequencies will lose their ability to operate at the expense of 5G. It’s a bit like bulldozing a housing development to build a new highway; there will likely be drawn-out legal complications.
So why does 5G need more than one frequency? The answer: coverage and speed.
The fiber optic speeds mentioned above require high frequencies (28 GHz is often referenced). The downside is minimal range (possibly just meters) or a requirement for antennas to point directly at the cell tower. Not good for mobile command vehicle applications.
A lower frequency band (<1 GHz) will provide the coverage range. The downside is it may not be faster, possibly even slower, than current LTE services. But the added range for cell towers is a positive since it should increase reliability.
The mid-frequency (~ 5GHz) is a blend between these two. This is the most promising standard for mobile command vehicle applications.
How Can I Prepare My Mobile Command Vehicle for 5G?
We talked about frequencies for a reason! The cellular modems located in your devices need to able to receive these frequencies and turn them into data and vice versa (modulate-demodulate, modem). We just don’t know the frequencies yet. A 5G tower in Kentucky may use drastically different frequencies than in California.
At Frontline Communications we are very conscientious about the need to prepare our customers for 5G. Here are some examples illustrating our mindset:
- Ignore everything at the highest frequencies until proven reliable for mobile command vehicle applications. A simple standard is 100 MHz to 6 GHz for something to be “5G ready”.
- At minimum, install 5G ready antennas and 5G ready cabling for cellular connections. A common cost-cutting measure is using less expensive RF cables & connectors that are not capable of transmitting 6 GHz signals.
- When possible, select cellular routers that are 5G ready. We talk to multiple manufacturers and look for the largest range available in the lower and mid-frequency bands.
- If using a 5G-ready modem is not possible, such as a requirement to use an older customer furnished IBR series router, at least the cabling and antennas won’t need to be replaced in the future when the modem does.
- Don’t skimp on antenna connections. Those 3-in-1 antennas that are adequate for your small Cradlepoint are not adequate for 5G services. You’re leaving a lot on the table. LTE-Advanced already uses up to 4 antenna connections at once. That is the baseline for 5G preparation.
- 5G services may be spotty initially. We use professional-grade cable extensions between the antenna and the modem rather than generic pre-made cables. A little bit of loss can be crucial if you’re on the edge of 5G tower coverage.
Summary
5G is a diverse and evolving standard. In time, it should become THE standard for mobile command vehicle data services. Inadequate preparation for 5G could result in expensive technology overhauls in your mobile command vehicle. A little money spent upfront on proper cabling and antennas could turn a large service job into simply unplugging the old LTE device and plugging in the new 5G one. Even though 5G is evolving, both manufacturers and end-users need to exercise due diligence during the design process to support future standards.
