Project brief builder

Build a project brief before requesting a quote.

Six short steps: what the network is for, your site, devices, traffic, who should do the work, and timing. Every question has an “I don’t know” answer, and unknowns become open questions instead of guesses. Radio count, coverage, and cost still need a site design.

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The guided brief builder needs JavaScript. This checklist asks the same questions: print it or copy it into an email, and write “don’t know” wherever you aren’t sure.

Project brief checklist

What you're trying to do
- What will the network be used for? Pick all that apply. Cameras and video · Handheld voice or push-to-talk · Data terminals and scanners · Vehicles or robots · Sensors and IoT · Guest or worker internet · A link between buildings · Something else · I don't know yet
Your site
- Where is coverage needed? Indoors · Outdoors · Both indoors and outdoors · I don't know
- Roughly how big is the area? One building, under 50,000 sq ft · One building, 50,000 sq ft or more · A campus with several buildings · A large outdoor area · Several separate sites · I don't know
- Is Wi-Fi falling short there today? Yes, Wi-Fi falls short · No, Wi-Fi works; we need something it can't do · There is no Wi-Fi in the area · I don't know
Devices
- About how many devices for each use? 1–10 · 11–50 · 51–200 · More than 200 · I don't know
- Do the devices already exist? We already have them · We'll buy new devices · Some of each · I don't know
- Do they support CBRS Band 48 (LTE) or n48 (5G)? Yes, all of them · Some of them · No · I don't know
- Do they need LTE or 5G? LTE (4G) is fine · We need 5G · Some devices need each · I don't know
Traffic
- For each use, what does a typical device send? For example: cameras streaming all the time, or recording locally and uploading on motion. Describe it in plain words · I don't know: measure or estimate it with an installer
Who does the work
- Who will design, install, and run the network? Buy equipment and run it yourself · Preconfigured network with remote help · Turnkey design, installation, and support · I don't know
- Does your team have staff who can design and run a cellular network? Yes, radio (RF) and network skills · IT and network skills, but no cellular or RF experience · No, we don't have spare IT staff for this · I don't know
- Do you need someone on site? Yes, we want someone to survey and install on site · No, our team can mount, cable, and power equipment · I don't know
- How would you rather buy? Buy equipment; our staff does the work · Buy equipment that comes set up, with remote help · Pay for a delivered project, including design and installation · I don't know
- When does the network need to be working? Within 3 months · In 3 to 12 months · No date yet · I don't know
Timing
- Where are you in the process? Researching options · Building a budget or business case · Ready to buy within 3 months · I don't know

The three ways to get it built

Buy equipment and run it yourself. You choose the parts; your team or an integrator you hire does the work. Suits: Teams with radio (RF) and network skills, or with an integrator they already trust.
Preconfigured network with remote help. Radios, core, and SIMs arrive set up to work together, and a remote team helps you bring them online. Suits: IT, network, or facilities teams that can install network equipment and want expert help with the cellular side.
Turnkey design, installation, and support. One team surveys the site, designs the network, installs and commissions it, and supports it. Suits: Teams without spare RF or installation staff, or projects that need people on site.

Radio count, coverage, and cost need a site design. How the deployment paths differ · Checking devices for Band 48 and n48 · What a private network costs

Private5G.com is operated by the team behind Waveform and RSRF.

Step 1 of 6: What you're trying to do

Start with what the network has to carry. Each use puts different demands on it: cameras send a lot of video up from the device, voice needs steady connections, and vehicles move between radios.

What will the network be used for?

Pick all that apply.

Cameras and videoSecurity, safety, or process camerasHandheld voice or push-to-talkPhones or radios people carryData terminals and scannersHandheld computers, tablets, barcode scannersVehicles or robotsForklifts, trucks, AGVs, dronesSensors and IoTMeters, monitors, controllersGuest or worker internetWeb, email, and apps for people on siteA link between buildingsCarrying one building's traffic to anotherSomething elseDescribe it to your installerI don’t know yetThe brief will start from this question