Learning Alliance and Federated Wireless to Provide CBRS Certified Professional Installer Certification to Broadband Program Students

Partnership addresses workforce demand for CBRS and provides career opportunities in telecoms

TAMPA, Fla. & ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Learning Alliance Corporation (LAC) and Federated Wireless today announced a partnership through which the two companies will work to issue more than 2,000 Certified Professional Installer (CPI) certificates for Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) over the next two years, greatly expanding the number of technicians available nationally. The program is designed to accelerate expansion of this low-cost option to deliver high speed broadband in rural and underserved communities who might otherwise have limited access to the Internet.

Federated Wireless and LAC will collaborate to build a hands-on simulation of a CBRS installation – from SAS to radio, using Augmented and Virtual Reality solutions based around CBRS frameworks. AR/VR options provide a great hands-on approach to learning the complex skills that go into radio installation. While demand for this type of infrastructure increases, so does the workforce demand. By providing access to CPI training to large network service providers, Wireless Internet Service Providers and individuals seeking a career in telecoms, the companies are helping to grow and strengthen the market for shared spectrum connectivity. In doing so, all players benefit in the ecosystem and provide real career opportunities and professional development for veterans and civilians. Additionally, the Learning Alliance is committed to increasing the diversity of the telco workforce and will engage their greater than 40% minority student population to participate.

“CBRS presents a unique way to expand LTE capability to many areas of the U.S., including rural broadband,” said Fred Arnold, Director of Operations for Learning Alliance. “Through this partnership, we hope to provide our students access to jobs that are CBRS/DAS focused.”

Cesar Ruiz, President and CEO of Learning Alliance, describes LAC students as hands-on learners who need to jump in and get familiar with the equipment and materials. “Not only will our students become CPI certified through online and in-person lecture as an authorized training provider, but they will also connect the dots through a hands-on CBRS approach,” said Ruiz. “We don’t just want them to be certified, we want them to know the equipment, the SAS, the IRUs, the baseband, and the requirements for troubleshooting this entire system.”

The national leader in the CBRS market, Federated Wireless was first to launch and deploy a commercial spectrum access system (SAS) and an environmental sensing capability (ESC) network, both of which are key enablers for using licensed and unlicensed CBRS spectrum. With more than 200 customers and about 65,000 connected devices across the United States and its territories, the company serves a customer base including tier one Mobile Network Operators, tier one cable operators and tower companies, over 100 regional and rural Wireless Internet Service Providers, and several public sector and federal entities, including a Marine Corp 5G Smart Warehouse in Albany, Ga.

“By combining the theoretical and practical, AR/VR provides an opportunity for students to experience real-life deployment scenarios before they enter the field,” said Steele Bennett, Senior Director of Sales Operations for Federated Wireless. “Increased availability of technicians with this valuable skill set will help ensure that more communities are able to reap the benefits of shared spectrum services more quickly.”

LAC and Federated Wireless plan to discuss CBRS, the partnership, and the training opportunity to students on a Sept. 9 podcast. Users can access the podcast by subscribing to Inside Towers’ Tower Talks via their preferred platform. Visit https://www.mylearningalliance.com/cbrs/ for more information.

About Learning Alliance Corporation

Learning Alliance Corporation partners with businesses, colleges, and universities to bring U.S. veterans and civilians stronger training initiatives that equate to solid career growth. By partnering with local employers, Learning Alliance Corporation has created workshops, labs and simulation programs that align the theoretical concepts into real world application learning. This adaptable approach creates learning solutions based on the community specific goals, industry, staff skill level, and corporate culture. Learning Alliance Corporation provides quality instructors, who are highly trained and specialize in the areas they teach. Learn more at mylearningalliance.com.

About Federated Wireless

Founded in 2012, Federated Wireless has long led the industry in development of shared spectrum CBRS capabilities. The company’s partner ecosystem includes more than 40 device manufacturers and edge partners, all of which are dedicated to collaboration to advance development and proliferation of CBRS services. Federated Wireless’s customer base includes companies spanning the telecommunications, energy, hospitality, education, retail, office space, municipal and residential verticals, with use cases ranging from network densification and mobile offload to Private 4G/5G and Industrial IoT. For more information, visit: www.federatedwireless.com.

Contacts

Media Contacts:
Janet Brumfield

Mindshare PR for Federated Wireless

janet@mindsharepr.com
+1 614 582 9636

Neil Marr

Learning Alliance Corporation

nmarr@mylearningalliance.com
+1 813 503 8204