Duke University, DISH Wireless
and Cisco part of collaboration to launch a higher education
neutral host network
WASHINGTON, April 21,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Internet2, Duke University, DISH Wireless and Cisco today
announced the launch of a neutral host network pilot for higher
education institutions using Citizens Broadband Radio Service
(CBRS) shared spectrum.
For the first time, the availability of low cost, shared
wireless spectrum using the CBRS in the 3.5-3.7 GHz band allows
enterprises to own and operate private LTE and 5G networks. Private
networks enable mobile and fixed wireless broadband access across a
variety of innovative cases. For higher education institutions, the
many applications include things like smart campuses to internet of
things (IoT) sensor networks, extended coverage for campus Wi-Fi,
fixed wireless services and support for research testbeds.
"Every college and university has experienced dramatic increases
in wireless needs from our mobile-first communities. Rather than
providing two separate infrastructures throughout our campuses —
cellular and Wi-Fi — the holy grail has always been for a single,
common network delivering both cellular and high-speed private
Wi-Fi," said Tracy Futhey, vice
president and chief information officer, Duke
University. "The recent availability of CBRS, together with
our collaboration with Internet2, DISH Wireless and Cisco, makes
this vision a reality by delivering a private Duke wireless network over the carrier grade
cellular infrastructure that stretches throughout our campus."
Private mobile networks can better and more efficiently serve
mobile subscribers, including on-campus students and faculty, via a
radio access network (RAN)-sharing agreement between mobile
operators and universities, also referred to as a Neutral Host
Network (NHN).
"It can be difficult for today's current wireless networks to
provide consistently reliable connectivity and coverage across an
entire university campus. The goal of this innovative neutral host
proof of concept is to improve the quality of the connectivity
across Duke's campus through the use of
a private CBRS-connected 5G network," said Stephen Bye, chief commercial officer, DISH
Wireless. "Our objective is to enhance connectivity across the
campus with this groundbreaking collaboration with our
partners."
To implement a Neutral Host Network using CBRS on campus,
Internet2, Duke University, DISH
Wireless and Cisco are collaborating to pilot this solution,
validating the feasibility of a scalable, multi-tenant,
architecture with CBRS. The trial will launch in summer 2022.
The Neutral Host Network will integrate Duke University's private network, powered by
Cisco's Private 5G as a service platform and Internet2's upgraded
fifth-generation national research and education network, with DISH
Wireless' 5G network.
"Together with Internet2 and DISH, we are creating a
future-ready, private mobile network that will provide seamless
connection from private to public networks while extending existing
Wi-Fi to increase connectivity and transform experiences for
students, faculties, and communities on campuses like Duke University," said Masum Mir, VP/GM, Cable, IoT and Mobile, Cisco.
"Cisco Private 5G technology will enable both mobile 4G
applications today and future 5G innovations across campus
services, safety and security, remote research and more."
This innovative collaboration emerged from a new Future Wireless
Working Group (FWWG) established by Internet2 in March 2020. The FWWG convened multiple university
chief information officers and technology leaders to consider the
impact, challenges, and opportunities for community-wide
collaboration to evaluate and implement emerging wireless
technologies, such as 5G, in higher education. These technologies
will support higher education research and development initiatives
and enhance campus services.
"We are excited to help our higher education members evaluate
the use of advanced wireless technologies across a variety of
innovative uses," added Howard
Pfeffer, president and CEO, Internet2. "Our operational
capabilities for services, such as eduroam Wi-Fi roaming and our
fifth-generation national research and education network, combined
with our role as a convener allows Internet2 to bring together and
enable unique collaborations between universities and leading
industry providers."
About DISH Wireless
DISH Network Corporation is a
connectivity company. Since 1980, it has served as a disruptive
force, driving innovation and value on behalf of consumers. Through
its subsidiaries, the company provides television entertainment and
award-winning technology to millions of customers with its
satellite DISH TV and streaming SLING TV services. In 2020, the
company became a nationwide U.S. wireless carrier through the
acquisition of Boost Mobile. DISH continues to innovate in
wireless, building the nation's first virtualized, standalone 5G
broadband network. DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) is a
Fortune 200 company.
For company information, visit about.dish.com.
About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide
leader in technology that powers the Internet. Cisco inspires new
possibilities by reimagining your applications, securing your data,
transforming your infrastructure, and empowering your teams for a
global and inclusive future. Discover more on The Network and
follow us on Twitter.
Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A
listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at
www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are
the property of their respective owners. The use of the word
partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and
any other company.
About Internet2
Internet2® is a non-profit,
member-driven advanced technology community founded by the nation's
leading higher education institutions in 1996. Internet2 serves 323
U.S. universities, 59 government agencies, 46 regional and state
education networks and through them supports more than 80,000
community anchor institutions, over 1,000 InCommon participants,
and 54 leading corporations working with our community, and 70
national research and education network partners that represent
more than 100 countries.
Internet2 delivers a diverse portfolio of technology solutions
that leverages, integrates, and amplifies the strengths of its
members and helps support their educational, research and community
service missions. Internet2's core infrastructure components
include the nation's largest and fastest research and education
network that was built to deliver advanced, customized services
that are accessed and secured by the community-developed trust and
identity framework.
Internet2 offices are located in Ann
Arbor, Mich.; Denver,
Colo.; Washington, D.C.;
and West Hartford, Conn. For more
information, visit www.internet2.edu or follow @Internet2 on
Twitter.
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SOURCE Internet2