[PPRAANet] CDOT experiments with cell coverage problems using Citizens Band Radio Service

[Douglas Hagerman]

Rrrrr.

From the Denver Post article: 

Since last fall, CDOT has been testing a South Korean communications technology, supplied through a Denver startup called Eucast Global, along a problematic four-mile stretch of highway from the Bakerville to Silver Plume exits, east of the Eisenhower Tunnel, where the terrain makes it difficult for cellular signals.

Eucast boxes are relatively small and the tests proved they were weather resistant. They attached to existing light poles, drawing on the nearby power supply. Once powered, they connect to nearby cellular or satellite networks or tap into fiber optic lines and can handle about 200 devices. But their real power comes in using a spectrum the FCC recently opened up for public use called Citizens Band Radio Service or CBRS.

Eucast Global has the rights to deploy the technology to the Americas and Europe, and is starting with Colorado. The goal is to eventually manufacture the devices domestically.
By dropping a second SIM card into its devices, whether in the hands of an employee or mounted on equipment, CDOT can communicate on a secure and private network without any additional monthly service charges. And because the boxes can communicate with each other, CDOT doesn’t have to run fiber to each location.

Four boxes were installed along I-70, more than would normally be required, because of the tricky terrain. 

As a second act, CDOT wants to test the Eucast system in Colorado Springs, which is donating several cameras and message boards, about 80 devices in total, to the state. Building fiber connections to the devices, which avoids costly cellular bills and allows for live streaming, would run about $5 million, Fifer said. Buying and installing the necessary number of Eucast boxes would run closer to $200,000 in one-time costs.

Medina said Eucast is also retrofitting a Ford F-150 with one of its boxes and data uplink to the Iridium satellite network. The truck could arrive on the scene of an emergency and quickly fire up a robust communications network, the kind of solution CDOT needed back in 2021 in the Glenwood Canyon.

Doug, W0UHU



> On Apr 12, 2023, at 11:26 AM, John Evans <john.evans.n0hj at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> It is behind a paywall.
> 
> 73 - john-n0hj
> 
> On Wed, Apr 12, 2023 at 11:21 AM Douglas Hagerman via PPRAANet <
> ppraanet at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
>> 
>> 
>> https://www.denverpost.com/2023/04/08/colorado-cdot-cellular-dead-zones-i70-eucast/
>> CDOT finds a low-cost answer to its cellular dead zones, making canyon
>> calling possible
>> denverpost.com
>> 
>> 
>> Article hopefully not behind paywall.
>> 
>> Doug, W0UHU.
>> 
>> 
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