Private LTE Network Extends Secure Broadband Connectivity to Support Hospital Staff Delivering Emergency Patient Care

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI, April 30, 2020 – RF Connect, a national leader in cellular-based wireless solutions, today announced it has deployed a CBRS-enabled OnGo Private LTE wireless network at Memorial Health System to provide temporary connectivity to support doctors and nursing staff who are delivering emergency patient care during the COVID-19 response. The company, in collaboration with CommScope and Druid Software, has volunteered services and gear to assist during this difficult time. 

Like many hospitals and clinics, Memorial has set up triage tents and testing facilities to support a surge in patients. The CBRS LTE-based private wireless network from RF Connect delivers high-performance, secure capacity to connect healthcare devices that are ordinarily enabled by the existing indoor network. These networks do not require power or cable infrastructure. Additionally, they can be set up quickly, and include security measures required for health care networks. 

“Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, we had been building and deploying kits to demonstrate the wireless connectivity advantages of OnGo private networks,” said Jeff Hipchen, Executive Vice President at RF Connect. “It was a no-brainer to reallocate those resources to gain real-world field experience and, more importantly, play a role in helping our health care workers deliver patient care.” 

OnGo, the industry name for networks utilizing the CBRS band, uses proven LTE communication technology over shared spectrum, allowing organizations to create their own private networks. It leverages LTE’s inherent benefits of performance, reliability and security which provide business- and mission-critical connectivity. 

“The temporary wireless network which complements our existing wireless and wired network empowers us to appropriately focus our attention and resources on providing patient care,” said Jerry Miller, Vice President Information Services, at Memorial Health System. “We’re profoundly grateful for the proactive offer from RF Connect and its partners to help.” 

“Working with RF Connect to provide Memorial Medical Center with much needed connectivity during this time aligns to our core values and mission to create connections that empower people,” said Upendra Pingle, vice president, DCCS in CommScope’s Venue and Campus Networks. “Now is the time to utilize every technology resource to help organizations that are on the front lines fighting this pandemic.” 

The network at Memorial enables private LTE connectivity for CBRS-certified devices as well as WiFi connectivity for non-cellular and non-CBRS devices.