In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts around the country have slowly been allowing students to return to in-person learning. Because many schools are offering remote or hybrid learning models, students need an internet connection when they are at school and at home.

This includes individuals that make up the Patterson Unified School District (USD) in California, which utilized the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for funding on education technology.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• The Patterson USD Deal and how they acquired private broadband for distance learning
• The technology used from Motorola Solutions
• BearCom’s involvement with installation

Read through the information below, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.

Why Is Private Broadband Needed?

During the 2020 school year, areas like the Patterson Unified School District in Patterson, CA, were determining how students will receive their education. At first, they considered in-person learning. After some time, though, they realized that mostly remote learning would be best.

So, they ultimately decided to do hybrid learning, which meant the kids would sometimes be studying at home or some other remote spot.

With this new form of learning, the USD needed to ensure that students had a solid, reliable internet connection. Otherwise, they could miss out on a necessary education.

This is true when you look at statistics of remote education from the United States Census Bureau:

• 25% of households in an average urban county are without internet.
• 33% of households in an average rural county are without internet.

As such, many families don’t have the resources needed to learn properly. For students who do have access to the internet, their networks aren’t necessary secure—they weren’t limited to what they could see online, which could create an unsafe environment for young students.

Motorola Solutions and BearCom wanted to change that, providing a dependable and free internet service to all the kids going to school in this district.

Making Internet Services Accessible & Affordable

There were two main goals when supplying an internet service to the students in the Patterson Unified School District. The first was making it accessible to everyone, and the second was making it affordable.

This district has over 6,000 students spread out across eight schools. To cover such a large area, 10 private broadband towers from Motorola Solutions would be erected. This would help “close the digital divide for its students.”

The plan was for a single tower to go up in each of the district’s eight educational facilities. The last two would then be built in rural areas to ensure a secure and reliable service.

The other issue was keeping the internet services affordable for all. As director of technology, Nicholas De Pauw, stated, “Many of our students are without regular and reliable internet access, which is a non-starter for online learning.”

Jeffery Menge, assistant superintendent of business services, then went on to say, “The ability for students to access educational content shouldn’t be an equity issue. It should be available to all.”

How Students Were Connected to Schools’ Networks

So, how did the school district make sure that every student received a dependable internet connection?

First, they distributed Chromebooks, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other equipment so that students could have their necessary educational materials and activities. However, just receiving those tools wasn’t enough. Hotspots alone have limited success and just providing a computer or laptop doesn’t solve the problem.

Therefore, the district pulled from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and reached out to Motorola Solutions for an “out-of-the-box private broadband.” They also had BearCom complete the installation, which garnered the peace of mind that comes from a secure and steadfast internet connection.

In fact, BearCom worked with Motorola to design the network and also perform propagation studies. This was to ensure there was enough coverage through the homes surrounding the Patterson Unified School District.

When & Where Installation Took Place

Kickoff for the first installation was completed on the first of September 2020 at Grayson Elementary.

It was done here because this school draws from the district’s most rural population, where many low-income and migrant families live, and as stated by district spokesman Johnny Padilla, “Grayson is the school site most in need of reliable service, so it was prioritized to go first.”

The rest of the towers would then be installed over the next three months.

MOTOTRBO® Nitro™ from Motorola Solutions

The first step was selecting the best broadband solution for the school district. Patterson reached out to Motorola Solutions, who in turn suggested they use MOTOTRBO® Nitro™ to connect students directly to their school’s network.

What exactly is Nitro™? It’s a private LTE solution that runs on the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum. Recently distributed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), it allows organizations to utilize “free, coordinated broadband spectrum without having to deploy complex infrastructure.” Plus, it offers an end-to-end enterprise communications solution for schools and homes, giving people first-rate voice communication and super-fast private broadband data for an effective education.

Furthermore, it “connects students directly to schools’ networks, providing the secure and reliable broadband connectivity needed to support online classes, streaming video and other data-rich programming,” according to Motorola Solutions themselves.

How Nitro™ Works

MOTOTRBO® Nitro™ delivers data when it’s needed most. It does this through an On-Prem Data Gateway that goes directly into a school district’s network. This gives schools control over:

• Who can access the network
• Content that students consume through existing firewalls and content-filtering tools

Furthermore, it utilizes full end-to-end encryption. This allows sensitive data to be kept safe and secure, so students can receive the education they need with no issues.

Nitro™ is just one part of the larger Motorola Solutions Safe Schools ecosystem, though. It actually combines voice communications, video security and analytics, and software and services. Together, they allow schools to detect, analyze, communicate, and respond to any security threats while also increasing operational efficiency.

On the days that students are back in the classroom, they can be there safely thanks to the Safe Schools program, which involves implementing social distancing, mandating of mask wearing, elevated skin temperature checks, and more.

Why Nitro™ Was Used

When it comes to remote learning, though, you may be wondering why Nitro™ was used for internet services.

It was selected mainly because “it allows for the transmission of large amounts of data, customized coverage and control over the content that students access and is cost-efficient compared to other options.”

This service provides a unique departure from conventional approaches to private mobile radio deployments. The Nitro™ spectrum works alongside CBRS to create a “cloud-based broadband land mobile radio system.” The result is a comprehensive private LTE data network that allows students (like those in Patterson, CA) to have internet for the school year and beyond.

Another reason why this technology was used is because it can be deployed quickly and easily in academic settings. Once that’s done, it gets extended into the community with a high capacity and range needed for students to access online learning programs from the safety and comfort of home.

Furthermore, MOTOTRBO® Nitro™ is affordable to use. Because it utilizes CBRS, it has coverage capabilities that reduce the cost of infrastructure. There are no associated costs, so you get the benefits of a private network without carrier subscriptions or other expenditures.

Benefits of Nitro™ Broadband Solutions

The communication landscape is always evolving. Luckily, Motorola Solutions is always one step ahead when it comes to cutting-edge communication devices. By launching MOTOTRBO® Nitro™, they’re ready to scale any commercial operation as needed.

In addition to the points we made above, there are plenty of benefits to using Nitro™. Whether you’re utilizing voice or data solutions, you’ll have a secure and reliable system by your side.

With the latter in particular, lightning-fast broadband data flows securely through students’ homes or some other remote spot.

More benefits of MOTOTRBO® Nitro™ include:

• Having twice the capacity of traditional Wi-Fi.
• Having up to four times the range of traditional Wi-Fi.
• Providing rich data connectivity, as it’ll support applications for production and more.
• Offering a strong, reliable coverage—even in homes or schools with thick concrete walls.

It’s also easy to use. It combines the speed and range of a CBRS network with user-friendly data systems that Motorola Solutions is widely known for. It also covers all your bases, as it improves device and network capability.

The result? You can do more with less–in essence, maximizing efficiency while simultaneously minimizing disruption.

Patterson USD & Their Reaction to Receiving Free Internet

The school district in Patterson, CA, was able to identify the advantages of Nitro™. As Mr. De Pauw stated:

“Nitro™ is a turnkey solution that will allow us to get up and running with data-rich online instruction, connecting our educators and students when onsite learning isn’t possible. Private broadband from Motorola Solutions offers the flexibility and scalability to support additional applications down the road.”

Patterson was more than happy with the performance of Nitro™, as BearCom found out after installing, testing, and supporting the system. They especially appreciated how customizable the service was. It’s controlled by the district in terms of things like firewalls and captive portals. They can also manage the coverage/capacity and avoid any overage charges.

This service was crucial in the wake of COVID-19. However, the plan was actually two years in the making.

Digital Learning Assistance

Patterson USD superintendent Phil Alfano stated that staff members had been talking about the digital divide for over 20 years. He admitted, though, that it got to a point where a plan needed to be put in place:

“This is the most significant equity issue facing students in the 21st century. We simply couldn’t wait any longer or rely on others to solve the problem for us.”

The school district knew that having a dependable home internet service was no longer a luxury. Instead, it was a “necessity for youth to equitably compete in modern society.”

So, a project was facilitated to find solutions for Patterson families who needed internet connectivity. The “1 to Web” Initiative was created in 2015. Once it finally passed, the district worked to get kids the educational tools they needed right away. This included Chromebook devices to use in the classroom (grades K through 5) and at home (grades 6 through 12).

This was especially helpful once students went to an all-virtual learning plan. Chromebooks were sent out in April 2020 for everyone to participate in the virtual Summer Learning Programs. More were then sent out in August 2020 to ensure that every student had the proper equipment for a distance education.

The Patterson USD Deal – CARES ACT

So, how was the Patterson USD able to get these computers and internet services to its many students? It was fortunate to receive funding from the CARES Act.

The CARES Act was passed by Congress in March 2020. This economic relief package aims to aid Americans from some of the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19.

Before this was passed, schools had to spend thousands of dollars from their own budgets to set up cellular hotspot devices so students and staff could stay connected to each other.

Once the CARES Act was approved, emergency education funding was sent to the following across the country:

• States
• Institutions
• Schools
• Students

The USD board of education approved vendor contracts with Motorola for both the tower equipment and installation contract to construct the antennas. The project was set to cost around $350,000 as a one-time fee for all the necessary items.

Thanks to the CARES Act and Motorola Solutions, the Patterson school district received a high-performance alternative at a more affordable cost.

Reaction to the Deal with Motorola

This partnership was successful and meant a great deal to the California school district. In fact, Mr. Menge recognizes how crucial working with the CARES Act was to students:

“We have a unique opportunity to leverage one-time CARES Act funds that will provide free internet access to our families with the most need for these services.”

Much of that money will go directly to Stanislaus County schools—specifically for deployment of a CBRS network for distance learning.

Citizens Broadband Radio Service

When it came time to install the private broadband system, Motorola Solutions partnered with BearCom to do the job.

They did so using the Citizens Broadband Radio Service spectrum, which we’ll define for you below.

What Is CBRS?

CBRS is a high-speed broadband spectrum that was once exclusive to U.S. military and satellite stations. However, with new regulations from the FCC, this internet solution is available for commercial applications.

This commercial network works on Band 48 and has advanced coverage, capacity, and audio quality compared to standard Wi-Fi networks.

What’s great about this service is that it allows installers like BearCom to design broadband networks with encrypted, private LTE to consumers like students in the Patterson Unified School District. The result is an internet connection that has greater…

• Speed
• Security
• Range
• Capacity

…than ever before. Overall, students, teachers, and staff can stay focused and be more productive by having this top-tier internet connection in their school or home.

What Else Can CBRS Do?

Through Citizens Broadband Radio Service, you can connect devices like computers for a number of different operational streams, tasks, and monitoring. This results in students and teachers having an increase in productivity.

The CBRS network also allows you to stream from a fixed or mobile resource, such as a:

• Desktop
• Laptop
• Tablet
• Smartphone

It also allows you to deploy video over that same network efficiently and securely. So, whether a student is using a computer or tablet during the school day, they’ll be able to receive proper schooling without any lag in internet connection.

BearCom Installing Private Broadband Systems

As we mentioned above, BearCom was a big part in providing MOTOTRBO® Nitro™ broadband data to schools throughout Patterson, California.

If you’re interested in gaining a private broadband system for your school, home, or other building, BearCom can help in a number of ways.

First, a staff member will perform a site survey for Wi-Fi systems. They can complete this step remotely using detailed maps and aerial photography. Otherwise, they can come to your site directly and look for any potential obstructions or other design constraints.

After that, we can design a Wi-Fi network that fits your needs. No matter what equipment you go with, it’ll meet manufacturer requirements. Plus, it’ll be tested and optimized by our team before being shipped to you.

That’s if you wish to install the networking systems yourself. However, due to the nature of this process, we strongly recommend a professional complete the job.

How to Implement CBRS into Your Network

To ensure that CBRS is properly installed into your school’s or home’s network, you’ll want to follow this checklist:

1. Perform a spectrum availability analysis for your intended area of deployment.
2. Make sure you have a CBRS-compliant RAN, which is a network of radio devices or fixed wireless base stations. Otherwise, you may need to purchase a separate domain proxy.
3. Is this a greenfield LTE network deployment? If so, you’ll need an evolved packet core, an integrator to install everything, and a hosting service to manage and monitor your network.

We can complete this entire process for you. As we have the proper equipment on hand and years of experience, we can install this broadband spectrum for your school or business.

Once we’ve done that, we’ll make sure the system passes acceptance test plans before it’s activated to use.

Expert Services for Distance Learning

BearCom and Motorola Solutions were the dream team when it came to this broadband network installation.

BearCom, specifically, consists of experts in this field. They have a rich history of designing and deploying RF and CBRS technologies for various applications and vertical markets. Plus, they conduct their own interoperability research and testing. This is to ensure optimal performance from the industry’s top-rated providers, such as Motorola Solutions.

When it comes to your school’s CBRS network, our team is uniquely positioned for the following:

• Design
• Installation
• Provision
• Maintenance

Like with the Patterson school district, we can ensure that your school district is compliant with the United States Secure and Trusted Communications Act (HB 4998). Plus, we’ll create a solution that meets your IT criteria. This includes everything from computing on the edge to developing a centralized computer stack.

How Else Can BearCom Help?

If you need CBRS or any type of network service for your home or school, reach out to BearCom. We’ve been in the business for nearly 40 years and are a Critical Partner in education and other industries.

We have a deep experience working with thousands of schools across North America in both the K-12 circuit and higher education facilities—providing the kind of communications and surveillance solutions that they need.

Furthermore, we’re the largest Motorola Solutions dealer in the world. Therefore, we can easily supply the equipment you need for your students’ education, including MOTOTRBO® Nitro™.

We’re also an Adopter and Advisor partner of the CBRS Alliance. This industry organization focuses on “driving the development, commercialization and adoption of OnGo® shared spectrum solutions.” We know how to provide the proper equipment for any facility and get the fast and secure internet connection you need for day-to-day operations.

Get Distance Learning Solutions for Your School

As you can see, the Patterson Unified School District was able to get the broadband they needed for effective distance learning.

If you’re looking for private broadband data for your school or other building, then don’t wait. Contact BearCom for a free quote today.