Introduction: Improving Safety and Connectivity at Parkside Elementary with InfiniG
Parkside Elementary, a K-6 public school serving approximately 600 students in a low-income area of Salt Lake City, faced a significant communication barrier: poor or non-existent cell signal inside the school building. This lack of connectivity meant that in an emergency, students, teachers, and staff were unable to call 911 or communicate effectively. Recognizing the urgent need for reliable mobile coverage, InfiniG stepped in with its innovative MCaaS solution, transforming Parkside into a safer, more connected learning environment.
Overcoming Connectivity Challenges at Parkside Elementary
Parkside Elementary’s communication challenges were rooted in structural barriers and geographic location:
- Poor Indoor Cellular Coverage: Located in a valley and built with modern materials like LEED-certified glass and metallic insulation, the school experienced weak or non-existent mobile signal indoors.
- Emergency Communication Concerns: Without reliable cell service, teachers and staff were unable to make emergency calls when needed, putting student safety at risk.
- Cost and Complexity of Traditional Solutions: Traditional solutions like Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) were cost-prohibitive and complex to deploy, while simpler signal boosters fell short of expectations.
- Lack of Support for Private Network Applications: Parkside sought a solution that could not only enhance public mobile coverage but also support future-ready private network applications for educational purposes, such as AI-driven classroom tools and real-time language translation.
How InfiniG’s Mobile Coverage Solution Changed School Safety
InfiniG’s MCaaS solution, deployed in partnership with Intel, AT&T, and T-Mobile, delivered robust mobile coverage throughout Parkside Elementary, addressing its unique challenges:
- Integrated CBRS Small Cells: InfiniG utilized CBRS-based small cells, which function like Wi-Fi access points but deliver 3GPP cellular coverage. This approach enabled seamless integration into the school’s existing infrastructure, providing consistent 5 bars of coverage throughout the 80,000-square-foot building.
- Cost-Effective Deployment: The solution was far more affordable and quicker to deploy than traditional DAS systems. The entire deployment, completed within four months, included equipment delivery, installation, and validation testing to ensure public and emergency service connectivity.
- Neutral Host Capability: By partnering with AT&T and T-Mobile, InfiniG’s MCaaS ensured seamless connectivity for all mobile users without requiring any manual intervention or new hardware. Phones automatically connected to the network, providing mobility and 911 support.
- Built-in Support for Private Use Cases: In addition to public mobile coverage, the network was tailored to support private applications such as secure teacher laptops, panic button alerts required by Alyssa’s Law, and AI-driven classroom tools like real-time language translation.
Key Benefits of InfiniG’s Deployment for Parkside Elementary
The transformation at Parkside Elementary extended far beyond improved mobile coverage, enhancing safety, communication, and educational outcomes:
- Reliable Emergency Communication: Teachers, staff, and students now have the ability to make emergency calls from anywhere within the building, providing a critical layer of safety and peace of mind.
- Enhanced Safety and Productivity: Panic buttons in each classroom, which previously relied solely on landline connections, now send simultaneous alerts to other teachers and administrators via mobile messaging, improving response times and coordination during emergencies.
- Increased Teacher and Student Connectivity: Full mobile coverage allows parents and students to remain in touch throughout the school day, increasing peace of mind for families and improving daily communication efficiency.
- Support for Advanced Educational Applications: The new network paves the way for AI and edge computing applications, enhancing learning through tools like real-time language translation and classroom management systems.
How InfiniG Sets a New Standard for School Connectivity and Safety
The success at Parkside Elementary serves as a model for schools across the country, demonstrating the potential of InfiniG’s MCaaS solution to improve safety and connectivity in educational settings. Key industry impacts include:
- Cost-Effective, Scalable Solutions: InfiniG’s approach, combining CBRS-based small cells and neutral host capabilities, offers a scalable, affordable solution that can be replicated across other schools and educational institutions.
- Enhanced Safety Standards for Schools: By meeting critical safety requirements like Alyssa’s Law through integrated panic button alerts and reliable 911 access, the solution establishes a new benchmark for school safety and emergency response.
- Seamless Public and Private Network Integration: The deployment demonstrates how private networks can be used to enhance public connectivity while enabling innovative educational applications, promoting a holistic approach to school communication infrastructure.
Creating Safer, More Connected Schools with InfiniG’s Solution
InfiniG’s deployment at Parkside Elementary exemplifies how private networks can transform educational environments by enhancing safety, connectivity, and learning capabilities. Through partnerships with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Intel, InfiniG delivered a scalable, cost-effective solution that ensures students, teachers, and staff can communicate and thrive in a connected, secure environment. This model sets a new standard for educational institutions, highlighting the transformative power of mobile coverage and private networks to support safer, more resilient schools.
