Businesses use mobile network infrastructure in many environments. The cellular network type depends on how builders construct the space or where coverage breaks down.

What is mobile network infrastructure?

Mobile network infrastructure is the system that connects devices to the internet using cellular signals. It includes base stations, controllers, and software that moves traffic between phones and carrier networks.

Outdoor cell towers often can’t reach inside buildings. Walls, concrete, and glass can block the signal. This leads to weak or spotty network reception, especially in large or older spaces.

Meter Cellular solves this with Cellular Access Points that generate a signal indoors. The system does not require licensed frequencies or long coordination with carriers.

You get strong, reliable coverage indoors and avoid the time or cost of traditional DAS.

Core components of a mobile network

Every mobile network depends on a mix of hardware and software working together. Each piece plays a different role, from creating a signal to moving traffic and controlling who gets access.

Mobile base stations

A base station connects mobile devices to the network. It talks directly to phones, tablets, and IoT hardware using radio waves.

Most buildings rely on small cells. These are low-power units built for indoor spaces like offices, stores, and warehouses. They fill in coverage gaps that outdoor towers can’t reach.

Larger areas, like cities or suburban blocks, use macro cells. These are high-power stations usually mounted on rooftops or towers. They cover more ground but can’t always penetrate buildings well.

For indoor coverage, small cells are the better option. Teams can place them closer to work areas, and their signal stays stronger in dense environments.

eNodeB/gNodeB and radios

This part of the network manages the radio interface. In LTE setups, it’s called an eNodeB. In 5G, it’s the gNodeB. Either way, it acts as the middle layer between mobile devices and the rest of the system.

The unit processes digital data and sends it through radios that use specific frequencies. The radios convert the signal so it can travel through the air to a device.

What spectrum the system uses depends on the network type and where it’s deployed.

Mobile backhaul

A strong signal does not ensure high performance. If the path between the building and the carrier is weak or unstable, calls drop, and apps lag.

Meter connects backhaul through ethernet or fiber when possible. In some buildings, we use channel bonding to combine multiple internet circuits and improve reliability. The process, also known as internet bonding, reduces the risk of downtime by keeping traffic moving even if one provider fails or slows down.

Core network

The core is where everything gets sorted. It handles tasks like device authentication, policy enforcement, and routing traffic to the right place on the internet.

In LTE networks, engineers refer to this layer as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). In 5G, it’s the 5G Core (5GC). The big difference is how centralized the control is. 5GC is more distributed, which helps lower latency and improves performance in dense areas.

Enterprise networks using CBRS may run some core functions locally, especially when performance or data control is a top priority.

SIMs and access management

A SIM card is what tells the network who you are and what you’re allowed to do. It manages authentication and makes sure devices only access what they’re supposed to.

eSIMs are becoming more common, especially for large deployments. They let IT teams onboard or remove devices remotely, without needing to swap hardware.

Private networks often use SIM profiles to segment traffic, create user groups, or block outside access. It’s more flexible than what you get with Wi-Fi passwords or MAC filtering.

Mobile network framework: LTE, 5G, and CBRS

Engineers build cellular networks around different standards based on the performance the environment requires. LTE, 5G, and CBRS each support enterprise use cases, but in different ways.

LTE vs. 5G

LTE networks use a centralized control model. 5G shifts that control closer to the edge, which helps lower latency and support higher device density. Many real-time tools, like AR and robotics, work better on 5G. However, LTE remains a strong choice for most business-critical applications.

This table shows the main differences in features between LTE and 5G frameworks:

Most enterprise deployments don’t need the full speed of 5G. LTE is often easier to deploy and supports plenty of indoor traffic, especially when combined with private network access.

Public and private LTE

Public LTE comes from the carrier’s network. Devices use shared towers and spectrum. It’s fine for basic coverage, but you can’t control how it performs indoors. You also don’t get control over traffic or security policies.

Private LTE gives the business direct control over the signal and access. The system dedicates the radios to the building, and devices use private SIM profiles to connect. Meter manages these networks, so customers don’t have to run them on their own.

Check out the biggest differences between Public LTE and Private LTE in the following table:

Private LTE is ideal for teams that care about consistent indoor signal, device-level control, and network security.

Understanding CBRS

CBRS is a chunk of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz range that anyone can use. You don’t need a license from a carrier, but there’s a system in place that makes sure users don’t step on each other’s signals.

It matters for buildings that struggle with indoor coverage. You don’t have to pull signal from an outdoor tower or get locked into a long carrier process. The system creates the signal directly inside the space.

Meter uses CBRS to build private LTE and 5G networks in places like warehouses, offices, and stores. It works in spots with poor or unreliable reception.

CBRS also supports something called neutral-host. That means one network can support phones from multiple carriers. Hospitals, hotels, and other shared spaces benefit from that because people are walking around with different providers.

How is cellular infrastructure different from Wi-Fi or DAS?

Wi-Fi, DAS, and cellular all provide wireless coverage, but work in different ways. The right one depends on the space, the devices, and how the network is being used.

Coverage and range

Wi-Fi covers short distances. It connects devices to the internet through a building’s local network and works well for laptops and tablets in small areas. Larger spaces or dense materials tend to break that coverage up.

Cellular handles more ground with fewer access points. CBRS-based systems send a signal from inside the building without needing a tower nearby, which is useful when outdoor coverage is weak.

DAS, on the other hand, repeats a carrier’s signal from outside. That works in some buildings, but not when the external signal is already poor. More details are in our overview of DAS installation, especially when comparing it to managed cellular.

Interference and coexistence

Wi-Fi gets noisy in crowded areas. The spectrum is open and shared, which means networks overlap and compete. This leads to dropped signals or slow performance during busy hours.

Cellular, especially when powered by CBRS, runs on controlled spectrum. It avoids interference from other systems in the building and holds up better under load. In many spaces, cellular runs alongside Wi-Fi without issue, giving businesses two layers of wireless access.

Security and control

Wi-Fi depends on passwords and basic policies. It works for quick setup, but access can be hard to control at scale. Anyone with the password gets on the network.

Private cellular uses SIM-based access and device profiles. The network controls who connects and what they can reach. It also segments traffic more cleanly. Enterprise routers support both Wi-Fi and cellular in a hybrid design.

When each one makes sense

Each network type serves a different purpose:

Wi-Fi handles general internet use well. Cellular, especially over CBRS, fills in the gaps when coverage needs to be reliable, secure, and centrally managed.

The importance of infrastructure testing and performance monitoring

Getting coverage inside a building is one part. Infrastructure testing shows if that coverage works. Making sure it holds up under real conditions is the other half.

Why testing matters

Signal bars can be misleading. You might see full coverage, but apps still hang or calls cut out. These symptoms usually show that the network fails to handle traffic properly.

We look at four things:

• Throughput, or the actual speed people get when sending or receiving data
• Latency, which is how long it takes for data to move between points
• Jitter, or how much that timing varies
• Coverage gaps, meaning spots where the signal fades or drops completely

Any of these can cause problems, especially for voice, video, or cloud tools.

What testing actually looks like

We handle most of the work before anyone connects to the network.

That includes:

• Scanning for interference
• Building signal heat maps
• Walking the floor to check for drop-off

Larger spaces sometimes need drive tests to get full visibility.

After network activation, we monitor traffic. We track packet loss, device activity, and signal consistency throughout the day.

The tools aren't always perfect. Sometimes we have to revisit a site and rework a layout. The good news is that catching issues early makes this reworking rare.

Why monitoring needs to be ongoing

Networks shift over time. New furniture, added equipment, even seasonal changes in building use can throw things off.

We use live alerts to catch:

• Sudden drops in signal strength
• Slower speeds than usual
• SIMs failing to connect
• Devices getting booted without warning

We're able to act before people even notice. Some situations need a closer look, but the team can resolve most issues quickly.

The goal is to keep the network strong enough that people never think about it.

Enterprise deployment considerations

A mobile network that works great in one place might struggle in another. The key is to understand how teams use the space, where the signal drops, and what the devices need from the network.

Building size and layout

Elevators, thick glass, and underground rooms also block signals. Some buildings have wide open floors. Others have layered zones where people move between offices, storage, and stairwells. Each of those factors affects coverage.

We walk every site before we build. That helps us figure out where Cellular Access Points will actually be useful.

In some cases, fewer points do the job. In others, the layout needs more density to cover hidden or high-traffic areas.

The goal is to provide coverage in the areas where people work, not just to fill a heatmap.

Spectrum selection

Cellular networks run on licensed, unlicensed, or shared spectrum:

• Carriers control licensed spectrum. It provides reliable service but is hard to access.
• Unlicensed is open but crowded.
• Shared spectrum, like CBRS, gives businesses a balance. It’s controlled enough to avoid interference but doesn’t require expensive carrier contracts.

Meter builds networks on CBRS. It gives us a stable indoor signal without pulling in outdoor towers or waiting for carrier approval. Buildings get coverage without jumping through hoops.

Interference and coexistence

Most buildings already have Wi-Fi, sometimes more than one network. Some have Bluetooth sensors, wireless security cameras, or legacy DAS equipment. All of it shares airspace. Without coordination, those signals can slow each other down or drop entirely.

We scan for conflicts during the site visit. Power levels get tuned so one system doesn’t overpower another. If the building already runs DAS, we look at how that system behaves and decide whether to work around it or replace it.

When backhaul is inconsistent, we use symmetrical internet to stabilize upload and download traffic. We do this to help with anything real-time, like phones, video, or sensor alerts.

Security and compliance

Most teams need their network to follow specific rules. Medical clinics care about HIPAA. Retail stores need PCI-DSS. All buildings need E911 so that emergency calls reach the right responders with location information.

We handle access using SIM profiles. Only approved devices connect. The system encrypts all traffic. E911 gets checked during setup. We build the entire network to follow those requirements from day one, without extra tools or manual steps.

Planning for this upfront makes support easier later. It also keeps surprises to a minimum during audits or expansions.

How Meter supports a modern cellular infrastructure

Most enterprise wireless projects involve too many handoffs. One group designs it, another installs it, and someone else handles support.

Meter handles everything as one service, from planning to maintenance.

No third parties or outside contractors

Customers don’t need to manage separate vendors for cabling, signal tuning, or hardware setup.

Meter handles the full process with one team.

We also handle follow-up when the system needs updates or fixes. No one gets passed between installers, IT staff, or building engineers.

If something breaks, support comes from people who already know the site. There’s no need to explain the floor plan or how the system was set up. That saves time and avoids repeat visits.

Installs that match real building timelines

Most buildings aren’t set up for heavy construction or long cable runs. Meter installs don’t rely on coax or major infrastructure changes. We use existing low-voltage wiring routes, and we work around business hours to avoid downtime.

Timelines stay short. Offices, stores, and warehouses get online in weeks, not months. Permits, ceiling work, or vendor coordination rarely cause delays because we keep everything in-house.

Real-time support after install

We don’t wait for someone to report a problem. We monitor Meter Cellular in the background, so the system sends alerts if speeds dip, coverage drops, or devices have trouble connecting.

The team can resolve many issues without going onsite.

When the site needs a visit, the same team returns. Customers don’t have to re-explain what’s wrong or start from scratch with a new tech.

Ready for changes without a redesign

Teams modify buildings by adding new rooms and shifting inventory layouts. Guest traffic moves from one side of the floor to another. The network has to keep up without getting rebuilt.

We expand coverage by adding access points to the existing design. Teams can make most changes without needing permits, core gear, or rewiring. That makes it easier for the network to grow alongside the business, instead of holding it back.

Boost your network with the new Cellular from Meter

Mobile network infrastructure is the foundation of reliable enterprise connectivity. It supports apps, devices, users, and operations at every level. However, building one doesn’t have to mean stitching together vendors, tools, and platforms.

Meter Cellular adds reliable cell service through a neutral-host CBRS network.

Features you can expect from Cellular:

• Simplified deployment: Meter handles everything from site surveys to installation and activation.
• Quick installation: The process is much faster than traditional DAS, taking 6 to 8 weeks.
• Reliable coverage: Neutral-host CBRS gives strong signals and removes dead zones for steady, carrier-grade service.
• Multi-carrier support: One setup works with major carriers, keeping employees and visitors connected.
• Dashboard monitoring: The upcoming Meter dashboard integration, planned for Q1-Q2 next year, will display cellular APs, their status, and connected devices
• Compliance and security: The system supports E911 compliance for accurate emergency service access.

Adding Cellular to your vertically integrated network plan or purchasing it separately means strong, high-quality indoor cell coverage that grows with your business. 

Contact Meter today to learn more.