In the ambitious pursuit of expanding cellular coverage, smart city initiatives often encounter a critical challenge: the unbalanced expansion that overlooks the nuances of critical and mission-critical infrastructure. Picture this scenario: a customer, thrilled by initial successes, starts expanding into non-critical areas without foresight into the needs of critical infrastructure.
Here’s the narrative that unfolds…
Initial Success in Non-Critical Expansion:
The journey begins with triumph as connectivity penetrates various non-critical pockets with Tier 3 Solution providers that are very inexpensive and cost efficient. The demand for coverage seems met, and the elation of success paves the way for further expansion.
Overlooking Critical Infrastructure Needs:
However, amidst this fervor, the oversight emerges—the absence of strategic planning for critical and mission-critical infrastructure. Suddenly, the expanded network confronts critical sectors demanding steadfast, fail-safe connectivity.
The Emergence of Criticality:
Mission-critical devices and vital infrastructure now seek the same unwavering reliability and resilience initially provided to non-critical areas. The infrastructure, unprepared for this shift, faces an imminent challenge.
Retrofitting Challenges:
Retrofitting critical infrastructure within an already-expanded network proves daunting. The need for Tier 1 solutions to ensure reliability in critical areas becomes apparent, highlighting the criticality of foresight in expansion plans.
Balancing Growth and Priorities:
As the expansion unfolds, it’s evident that balance is key. Prioritizing critical and mission-critical infrastructure from the outset is fundamental, preventing the need for retrofitting and ensuring seamless connectivity across the spectrum.
Here is a solution we provided…
Cloud Infrastructure Segmentation:
Separate and empower. Leveraging cloud infrastructure while distinctively segmenting the radio, network, and core components becomes pivotal.
Strategic Use Case Planning:
Look ahead, always. Planning for use cases 2-5 years down the line is critical. Anticipating technological advancements and user needs helps build adaptable, future-proof solutions.
Meticulous Expansion Mapping:
Define with precision. Expansion areas must be meticulously delineated, considering both critical and non-critical sectors. This delineation allows for separate pathways, ensuring Tier 1 core solutions for critical infrastructure while scaling gradually to non-critical areas with Tier 3 radio vendors.
Contingency Planning & Redundancies:
Prepare for the worst, safeguard the best. Plan for worst-case scenarios by incorporating satellite backhaul and geographic redundancies. This fortifies the network against disruptions, ensuring continuity in connectivity.
Cost Optimization and Prioritization:
Identify, prioritize, optimize. Pinpoint the highest-cost components of solutions and prioritize investments, particularly in mission-critical aspects. This balances efficiency with the imperatives of robust infrastructure.
