ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Siemens and Federated Wireless, Inc., a subsidiary of Allied Minds (LSE: ALM), announced today that the companies signed a partner agreement to provide spectrum access and management to current and future Siemens customers in the 3.55 – 3.7 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) frequency band. Siemens, which supplies rugged wireless broadband solutions for harsh environment applications, provides its WiMAX radio equipment in this, as well as other, bands.
The partnership will make Siemens one of the first companies to use a Spectrum Access System (SAS) and Environmental Sensing Capability (ESC). Federated Wireless’ SAS and ESC are currently being reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for commercial approval. Federated Wireless’ CINQ XP platform is built on a foundation of shared spectrum and utilizes the SAS to dynamically allocate and manage spectrum resources. The ESC is essential to open access to the 3.65 GHz band nationwide in order to ensure interference free operation for federal incumbents and other users. The CINQ XP platform provides a range of shared spectrum services, enabling OEMs with the tools needed to operate wireless equipment on shared spectrum. In addition, users connecting to a SAS, which will ultimately be required by the FCC, will:
- Continue to deploy networks and related services with improved quality of experience with interference free operations
- Access up to five times the amount of spectrum allowed under the current regime
- Experience a significant increase in the power of their radios in the band
As part of this agreement, Federated Wireless and Siemens will also jointly develop shared spectrum solutions for the 3.55 - 3.7 GHz CBRS frequency band.
In April 2015, the FCC enacted rules for the CBRS frequencies. As a result, existing wireless broadband products, such as those provided by Siemens in the 3.65 GHz band, are required to transition to the new CBRS rules. During the transition period to the new CBRS rules, existing users will also receive protection from radio frequency interference due to the new users of the band if they register their sites with the CBRS database administrator and secure a protection zone for their grandfathered operations.
While grandfathered licensees of the 3.65 GHz band can continue to operate their networks in their current state for several years, there are many reasons why Siemens would want to transition to the new CBRS rules. At the heart of the CBRS rules, the FCC has required employment of a SAS to authorize and manage the use of CBRS spectrum. The SAS will protect higher tier operations from interference while also maximizing frequency capacity for all CBRS operators.
“With a SAS connection through our CINQ XP platform, Siemens customers and other grandfathered licensees can continue to expand and evolve their networks and related services; for example, moving or adding a new radio outside their current protection zone,” said Ken Stewart, Federated Wireless’ SVP of Sales and Business Development. “Additionally, connection to our CINQ XP platform would provide interference-free managed access to spectrum resources ensuring high service levels with more efficient and reliable operations.”
There are many companies currently operating in the 3.65 GHz band, most of which are utilities providers, oil and gas companies, and rural telecommunications operators.
“Siemens is dedicated to serving all of its critical infrastructure customer segments by ensuring early compliance with the new FCC CBRS rules,” said Jeremy Bryant, business segment manager, Industrial Communication and Identification, Siemens.
This new technological capability will be compatible and available for implementation in the many WiMAX radios currently deployed in mission critical networks.
Efforts are currently underway for final certification and interoperability verification with the anticipated commercial SAS availability date for the market to come in 2017.
More information about Federated Wireless, including the company’s recent filings to the FCC, can be found at www.federatedwireless.com.
More information on Siemens WiMAX solutions can be found at: http://bit.ly/WiMaxRC.
About Federated Wireless
Formed in 2012, Federated Wireless, Inc. is developing scalable wireless infrastructure solutions to extend the access of carrier networks. The company’s dynamic Spectrum Access Service (SAS) platform focuses on the distribution of licensed shared spectrum. Its approach incorporates a neural network of radio sensors that allow for interference-free access to low-cost, high-quality licensed spectrum, and breaks down traditional barriers of high-cost, exclusive spectrum. The company’s differentiated business model creates opportunities for more efficient approaches to spectrum. Federated Wireless is headquartered in Arlington, VA with offices in Boston, MA. More information can be found at www.federatedwireless.com.
About Allied Minds
Allied Minds is a diversified holding company focused on venture creation within the life science and technology sectors. With unparalleled access to hundreds of university and federal labs across the U.S., Allied Minds forms, funds, and operates a portfolio of companies to generate long-term value for its investors and stakeholders. Based in Boston, with offices in Los Angeles and New York, Allied Minds supports its businesses with capital, central management, and shared services. For more information, please visit www.alliedminds.com.
Allied Minds Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains statements that are or may be forward-looking statements, including statements that relate to the company’s future prospects, developments and strategies. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, those risk and uncertainties described in the risk factors included in the company’s regulatory filings. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding the present and future business strategies of the company and the environment in which it will operate in the future. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as at the date of this press release. Except as required by law, regulatory requirement, the Listing Rules and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, neither the company nor any other party intends to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Siemens Process Industries and Drives helps its customers increase productivity, safety, reliability, efficiency and time-to-market for plants and processes with innovative, integrated technology across the entire lifecycle.
Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis. With approximately 348,000 employees in more than 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of $86.2 billion in fiscal 2015. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $22.4 billion, including $5.5 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
