Case Study: Richesin Engineering Installs Cambium Networks 2.5GHz Wireless Solution for the Native Village of Nanwalek
Client: Native Village of Nanwalek
Industry: Rural Telecommunications
Location: Nanwalek, Alaska
Project: Deployment of a Cambium Networks 2.5GHz Wireless Network
Service Provider: Richesin Engineering
Technology: Cambium Networks 2.5GHz
Background
Nanwalek, a remote Native village located in Southcentral Alaska, faces significant challenges due to its isolation. The community, home to approximately 300 residents, relies heavily on technology for education, communication, and accessing critical services. However, with limited infrastructure and no road access, it has historically struggled with slow, unreliable internet connectivity. This digital divide has hampered opportunities for economic development and access to online resources.
Recognizing the importance of high-speed internet, the tribal leadership in Nanwalek sought a cost-effective, reliable solution to bring the village into the digital age. They needed a network that could handle their growing connectivity demands, from supporting remote education and telemedicine to enhancing government operations.
Richesin Engineering, an expert in rural telecommunications, was tasked with deploying a robust wireless network to meet Nanwalek’s needs. The solution chosen was Cambium Networks' 2.5GHz wireless platform, which promised to deliver high-speed broadband, even in challenging environments like Alaska’s rugged terrain.
Challenges
Remote Location and Geography: Nanwalek is accessible only by air or boat, with no roads connecting it to nearby towns. The village is surrounded by mountains and forests, posing significant logistical challenges for installing network equipment.
Harsh Weather Conditions: The installation team had to contend with Alaska’s unpredictable weather, which includes high winds, heavy snow, and frequent rain, limiting installation windows.
Spectrum Availability: Nanwalek was operating under the Tribal Broadband spectrum at 2.5GHz, which needed to be maximized for both reliability and performance.
Community-Specific Needs: The solution needed to be scalable and cost-effective, with minimal operational maintenance, as the community does not have extensive technical resources to manage network infrastructure.
Solution
Richesin Engineering chose Cambium Networks’ 2.5GHz wireless broadband solution for its reliability, cost-effectiveness, and ability to deliver high-capacity internet in rural settings. The network design leveraged the 2.5GHz spectrum, which is ideal for long-range wireless connectivity and can overcome obstacles like trees and uneven terrain, common in Nanwalek.
Key Components of the Network:
Cambium Access Points: High-performance, fixed wireless access points were installed at elevated locations to maximize coverage throughout the village. The system is known for its scalability and ability to provide stable connectivity even with high user density.
Customer Premises Equipment (CPE): Richesin Engineering installed Cambium Subscriber Modules at various homes, schools, and municipal buildings to enable high-speed internet access across the community.
Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) Setup: This architecture allowed a single access point to connect multiple locations, minimizing infrastructure costs while ensuring high data throughput.
Implementation
Richesin Engineering executed the project in several phases:
Site Survey and Planning: A thorough survey was conducted to determine optimal locations for the access points, ensuring coverage for the entire village. Given the village’s mountainous backdrop, several high spots were identified to maximize signal reach.
Equipment Installation: The installation team worked within weather windows to erect the access points and configure the network. Despite adverse weather, the process was completed on schedule due to careful planning and collaboration with local authorities.
Network Configuration and Testing: Once the physical installation was complete, the engineering team configured the network to maximize bandwidth efficiency. Rigorous testing was conducted to ensure the network could handle peak loads and provide reliable service under varying conditions.
Community Training: To ensure long-term success, Richesin Engineering provided basic training to local leaders and designated technical contacts in Nanwalek. This training covered network maintenance and basic troubleshooting techniques to empower the village to manage their new infrastructure.
Results
High-Speed Internet Access: The Cambium 2.5GHz network provided Nanwalek with reliable, high-speed broadband, capable of supporting streaming, video conferencing, online learning, and telehealth services. The network supports speeds up to 100 Mbps, a significant improvement over their previous connectivity options.
Scalability: The ePMP system allows for easy scalability, meaning that as demand grows or new technologies emerge, the village can upgrade its network without major overhauls.
Improved Quality of Life: Nanwalek’s residents now enjoy enhanced access to essential services like remote education, telemedicine, and online government resources. Students in the village can participate in online learning without interruption, and the tribal government can better manage communications and operations.
Economic and Social Development: With high-speed internet, the village has the potential to engage in new economic opportunities, such as e-commerce, tourism promotion, and remote work, all of which can contribute to the village’s long-term sustainability.
Conclusion
The installation of a Cambium Networks 2.5GHz ePMP network by Richesin Engineering has transformed the Native village of Nanwalek’s access to the digital world. Despite geographical and environmental challenges, Richesin Engineering successfully delivered a high-performance, cost-effective solution tailored to the community’s needs. This project showcases the power of fixed wireless technology in bridging the digital divide for remote communities and highlights the critical role telecommunications infrastructure plays in enabling rural development.