Complete CBRS Guide for Industrial Private Networks

Why is CBRS a game-changer for industrial networks?

CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) provides 150 MHz of prime, cellular-grade spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band (3550-3700 MHz). For industrial operations, it's a game-changer because it allows you to build your own private LTE or 5G network. This gives you the reliability and security of cellular technology, but fully under your control, on your terms, and on your site.

Think of it as the solution to the common problems of industrial connectivity. Unlike congested Wi-Fi, which operates like a public road with traffic jams, CBRS gives you a dedicated, managed, multi-lane highway for your critical operational technology (OT) data. This is essential for connecting SCADA systems, autonomous vehicles (AGVs), robotics, and other applications where downtime is not an option.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.3 - Definitions

Is CBRS a stable, long-term investment for my facility?

This is a critical question for any industrial investment. CBRS is a proven and stable technology with a strong future. While some policy discussions have occurred in Washington about reorganizing spectrum, these face major hurdles and strong opposition.

• Proven Success: There are over 400,000 CBRS devices deployed, with the majority connecting rural and industrial sites. Disrupting this thriving ecosystem is highly unlikely.
• Regulatory Commitment: Recent FCC actions haven't sought to dismantle CBRS; they've worked to *improve and enhance it* (the "CBRS 2.0" updates). This shows a strong commitment to the current framework.
• Massive Investment: A huge ecosystem of vendors, service providers, and industrial users have invested heavily in CBRS. This creates powerful inertia for keeping the band stable.

Given the massive deployed base and ongoing government efforts to refine the existing rules, you can be confident that CBRS is a sound, long-term technology choice for your industrial network.

Source: NTIA CBRS Report - July 2024, FCC Public Notice DA-23-867, FCC Public Notice DA-24-553

My facility's internet can be unreliable. How has CBRS become more resilient to outages?

This is a critical improvement for industrial users. Previously, CBRS devices needed to "check in" with the cloud-based SAS frequently. Now, for most deployments, that reauthorization time has been extended to 24 hours.

This means if your facility's internet backhaul has a temporary outage, your private CBRS network keeps running without interruption. Your internal operations, from process control to autonomous vehicles, remain online and productive. This enhancement makes CBRS dramatically more robust and suitable for mission-critical environments where connectivity cannot fail.

Source: FCC Public Notice DA 23-867 (Released Sep 19, 2023)

Do I need a data plan from a carrier like AT&T or Verizon?

No, you do not. This is one of the most powerful advantages of a private CBRS network. The term "cellular" often makes people think of public carrier services, but a private cellular network is fundamentally different: You become the owner and operator of your own network.

• You Own the Infrastructure: Just as you own your Wi-Fi access points, you own the CBRS radios (CBSDs), SIM cards, and core network that manages it all.
• No Carrier Fees or Data Plans: You don't pay a monthly fee to a mobile carrier for each connected device or for the data they use. Your devices communicate over your private network.
• Complete Control: You decide which devices can connect, what level of priority they get, and what security policies are enforced, all without needing to involve a public carrier.

Source: OnGo Alliance, "What is Private LTE and 5G?"

Is the "free" GAA tier reliable enough for my critical industrial applications?

Absolutely. For industrial use, GAA offers a powerful combination of performance and cost-effectiveness. Its reliability comes from its design:

• Professionally Managed Spectrum: The SAS acts as your dedicated network manager, ensuring clear channels and preventing the unpredictable interference common with Wi-Fi.
• Massive Capacity: With a baseline of 80 MHz and opportunistic access to more, you have ample bandwidth for high-demand applications like industrial IoT, automation, and video.
• Built-in Resiliency: The system is designed to be agile. In the extremely rare event a channel becomes unavailable due to a higher-priority user, the SAS automatically and seamlessly moves your devices to a new, clear channel. This is a core feature that guarantees connectivity.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.35, § 96.51

Will Incumbents like the Navy constantly disrupt my network?

No, this risk has been significantly reduced. The real-world risk to your facility from Navy or satellite operations is extremely low. Here's why:

• Geographically Limited: Navy radar activity is primarily concentrated in specific coastal regions, while Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) operates from only a handful of fixed, known locations. Most industrial sites will never encounter incumbent activity.
• CBRS 2.0 Protection Zone Improvements: Recent updates in June 2024 approved a much smarter and more precise model for protecting Navy radar systems. This results in much smaller "protection zones" around Navy sites.
• Dramatic Risk Reduction: For the vast majority of locations, even those in coastal counties, the chance of being affected by Navy activity is now extremely low. NTIA estimates these changes will enable reliable CBRS access for approximately 72 million more people.
• Automated & Surgical Protection: If your facility is near one of these zones, the SAS provides automated protection. It only affects the absolute minimum number of devices necessary, for the shortest time required.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.15, FCC Public Notice DA-24-553

How is a private CBRS network more secure than traditional industrial Wi-Fi?

Private CBRS networks, built on 3GPP cellular standards, offer several fundamental security advantages over traditional Wi-Fi, which are critical for protecting sensitive Operational Technology (OT) environments:

• Strong, SIM-Based Authentication: Every device requires a physical or embedded SIM card to connect. This provides a robust, hardware-based identity that cannot be easily shared or stolen like a Wi-Fi password.
• Inherent Airlink Encryption: The communication between the device and the radio is encrypted by default using mature, strong cellular encryption algorithms.
• Network Isolation: You can create a completely isolated network "bubble" for your critical OT traffic, shielding it from potential threats on the corporate or guest Wi-Fi networks. This segmentation is a crucial best practice for industrial security.

Source: OnGo Alliance, "OnGo Security for Private Networks", and 3GPP TS 33.501

Can Wi-Fi coexist with CBRS? Do I need to replace my existing Wi-Fi?

Absolutely not! CBRS and Wi-Fi have a highly complementary relationship. They operate in different spectrum bands and can be deployed side-by-side to create a hybrid network that leverages the best of both technologies. You can use CBRS for your critical OT applications while keeping Wi-Fi for general IT and guest access.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.11 - CBRS frequency bands

How does the tiered system work to ensure I have spectrum?

CBRS uses a smart, three-tiered hierarchy for spectrum sharing. This system is designed to give you reliable access while protecting critical national security users.

The CBRS three-tiered access model ensures protection for incumbents while maximizing spectrum availability for commercial users.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.13 - Spectrum and Frequencies

Is there really enough reliable spectrum available for my industrial network?

Yes. The system is designed to provide a massive amount of spectrum for users like you. Here's how:

• Your "Private Lane" (GAA): You have guaranteed access to at least 80 MHz of spectrum at all times (assuming no incumbent activity). This is a huge, clean highway for your data.
• The "Express Lane" (Opportunistic PAL use): You can also opportunistically use any of the 70 MHz of licensed (PAL) spectrum whenever it's not in use by a license holder.

While the GAA tier is shared, the SAS is designed to mitigate interference between neighbors through automated power control. For industrial applications that require guaranteed, exclusive access, a licensed PAL channel provides that dedicated, interference-protected resource.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.25 - PAL Service Areas and Channels

How are U.S. Navy radars detected to prevent interference?

The CBRS framework relies on an Environmental Sensing Capability (ESC) network. This is a network of highly sensitive sensors deployed along the U.S. coastlines. The sole job of these sensors is to listen for Navy radar signals. When an ESC sensor detects an active radar, it instantly alerts the SAS, which then instructs any nearby commercial CBRS devices to immediately change frequency or pause transmissions.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.67 - ESC functions

What are the components of a CBRS private network?

A CBRS private cellular network consists of three main parts working together:

Core components of a private cellular network, from the end-user device to the network core.

• User Equipment (UE): Your devices, such as industrial routers, vehicle modems, rugged tablets, IoT sensors, or smartphones.
• Radio Access Network (RAN): The on-site infrastructure that creates coverage, consisting of CBRS radios (CBSDs) and antennas.
• Evolved Packet Core (EPC): The "brain" of the network. It's the central hub that manages data traffic, enforces security, and connects your devices to your company's network.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.3 - Definitions

What kind of equipment is used?

The core of a CBRS network is the base station, called a CBSD (Citizens Broadband Service Device). There are two main categories, designed for different industrial needs:

All CBSDs must be FCC-certified and require authorization via the SAS before they can transmit.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.41 - CBSD Categories

How does the Spectrum Access System (SAS) work?

The SAS is the automated "air traffic controller" for the CBRS band. It's a cloud-based system that constantly monitors the airwaves and assigns your equipment a clean, interference-free channel. It dynamically manages spectrum access, protects higher-priority users, and ensures all devices comply with FCC rules. The SAS is essential for enabling the complex spectrum sharing that defines CBRS.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.51 - SAS functions

How does the device registration process work?

This is the first step that allows a CBSD to communicate with the SAS. The CBSD sends its unique ID, geographic location, and antenna characteristics to the SAS, which verifies the device and confirms successful registration.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.39 - CBSD registration

How does the spectrum inquiry process work?

After registration, the CBSD asks the SAS what frequencies are available at its location. The SAS analyzes current spectrum usage and responds with a list of available channels.

Source: WINNF-TS-0016, Section 8.4 - Spectrum Inquiry Procedure

How does the grant procedure secure spectrum access?

The grant procedure is where the CBSD requests and receives authorization to transmit. It requests a specific channel, and if the SAS determines there are no conflicts, it provides a "grant" with an expiry time, authorizing operation.

Source: WINNF-TS-0016, Section 8.5 - Grant Procedure

How does the heartbeat procedure maintain authorization?

The heartbeat is the ongoing "check-in" that keeps the grant active. The CBSD periodically sends a heartbeat to the SAS, which confirms the grant is still valid. Thanks to CBRS 2.0, this interval can be up to 24 hours, ensuring the network stays online during internet outages.

Source: WINNF-TS-0016, Section 8.6 - Heartbeat Procedure and FCC Public Notice DA-23-867

How does Coordinated Periodic Activity among SASs (CPAS) ensure system reliability?

CPAS is a behind-the-scenes process where all approved SAS providers share information and coordinate their activities each night. This ensures consistent application of spectrum rules across the entire CBRS ecosystem, regardless of which SAS provider you use.

Source: WINNF-TS-0016, Section 7 - CPAS

When do I need a Certified Professional Installer (CPI)?

A CPI is required for all Category B CBSD installations and any Category A CBSD that does not automatically determine its own location. The CPI is trained to accurately verify the radio's location, antenna height, and orientation, and to securely submit this data to the SAS. Professional installation by a CPI is crucial for network performance and regulatory compliance.

Source: 47 CFR § 96.45 - Professional Installer

Step 1: Identify Your Use Case

Before any technology is chosen, clearly define the business problem you need to solve. Are you trying to:

• Fix Coverage Gaps: Provide reliable connectivity in hard-to-reach areas like basements, machine shops, or outdoor yards where Wi-Fi is ineffective?
• Improve Reliability: Eliminate production-stopping disconnects for mobile assets like AGVs, forklifts, or personnel tablets?
• Boost Security: Isolate critical OT traffic (e.g., PLCs, SCADA) from your corporate IT network to reduce your cybersecurity attack surface?
• Increase Capacity: Support a growing number of IoT devices or high-bandwidth applications like video analytics without overloading your existing network?

Step 2: Perform an RF Site Survey

Just like with Wi-Fi, you can't guess where to place your radios. A professional RF (Radio Frequency) site survey for CBRS is essential. An expert will analyze your facility's physical layout, building materials, and existing RF noise floor to determine the optimal number and placement of CBSD radios to achieve your coverage and capacity goals.

Step 3: Choose Your Components

Based on your use case and site survey, you'll select the core components:

• Radios (CBSDs): Choose Category A for indoor deployments or Category B for high-power outdoor coverage.
• Core Network (EPC): Decide between an on-premises solution for maximum control or a cloud-hosted EPC for simplicity and scalability.
• End-User Devices (UEs): Select industrial-grade routers, gateways, and modems that are certified for CBRS operation.

Step 4: Select a SAS Administrator

Your network must be registered with an FCC-approved SAS Administrator. Major providers include Google, Federated Wireless, and Key Bridge. Your technology partner or integrator can typically manage this relationship for you, bundling the small annual per-CBSD fee into your service agreement.

Step 5: Engage a Certified Professional Installer (CPI)

As noted earlier, a CPI is mandatory for all Category B deployments. Even for Category A, using a CPI is a best practice to ensure your network is installed correctly, performs optimally, and complies with all FCC regulations from day one. This protects your investment and prevents future issues.