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Vanlin Sathya and Puneet Shetty introduce the latest capabilities of the Celona AP20, a flagship access point that features a unique hardware design with dedicated 4G and 5G radios. Previously, the AP20 operated in either 4G or 5G mode, providing a software-defined upgrade path; however, Celona has now enabled concurrent 4G and 5G operation. This advancement allows enterprises to maintain support for legacy LTE devices while simultaneously deploying a future-proof 5G network on the same infrastructure. By utilizing a Self-Organizing Network (SON) algorithm to manage the 150 MHz of shared CBRS spectrum, the AP20 eliminates the need for a rip and replace strategy and enables innovative use cases, such as isolating guest BYOD traffic on 4G while reserving 5G for mission-critical industrial applications.
The presentation emphasizes the multi-mode utility of this technology in high-stakes environments like healthcare. Sathya highlights a deployment at Stanford Healthcare where the AP20 concurrently supports neutral host services to boost public carrier signals and private 5G for critical clinical communications, such as VoLTE and SMS for nursing staff. The platform offers a seamless onboarding experience using both physical SIMs and QR-code-based eSIMs, with integrated security features like IMEI-based SIM locking. By integrating these disparate cellular generations into a single enterprise-grade device that plugs directly into existing LAN switches, Celona simplifies the traditionally complex architecture of cellular infrastructure, making it as manageable as a Wi-Fi deployment.
Finally, Celona addresses the challenge of scaling these deployments through a new automated provisioning tool designed to replace the months-long timelines typical of traditional Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS). This tool ingests configuration data from mobile network operators (MNOs) and regulatory bodies like SaaS to commission new sites in less than an hour. By automating the technical heavy lifting–including radio parameter adjustments and E911 validation–Celona can bring hundreds of retail or healthcare locations online within a four-week window. This combination of multi-generation hardware and rapid, automated software provisioning allows Celona to meet the high-volume, high-speed demands of large-scale enterprise customers effectively.
Personnel: Vanlin Sathya
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