SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA — In a groundbreaking move to extend reliable, secure cellular connectivity to its remote coastal assets, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) has installed a private LTE network at its marine research facility, the Pier. The deployment marks a significant advancement in enabling cutting-edge marine science, environmental monitoring, and field education at the edge of connectivity.
Located along California’s rugged central coastline, the Pier has long faced the typical connectivity challenges of remote research stations — spotty signals, limited data access, and no reliable means for real-time collaboration or communication. With the rollout of a private LTE network operating on the CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) band, Cal Poly is bridging that digital divide.
Why Private LTE?
Private LTE offers a secure, high-performance alternative to traditional cellular or Wi-Fi networks — and more importantly, it can fill in connectivity gaps that public carriers often don’t cover. Remote research sites like the Pier typically suffer from weak or no signal due to their coastal geography, making it difficult for teams to access real-time data or communicate reliably in the field.
By deploying private LTE on the CBRS spectrum, Cal Poly is able to control coverage zones, ensure network reliability, and tailor connectivity to its specific research and operational needs. This eliminates dependence on commercial networks that often prioritize population centers over remote or specialized areas.
“It would cost $20 million to re-fiber the whole campus,” said Bill Britton, Cal Poly’s Vice President for IT Services and Chief Information Officer. “Now a new building might get a 5G drop instead.”
For the Pier and other off-grid facilities, that “5G drop” means researchers can stream live video from underwater drones, transmit environmental sensor data in real time, and maintain reliable voice and data communications — even in isolated or infrastructure-limited locations.
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This deployment is part of Cal Poly’s broader initiative to modernize campus-wide connectivity through partnerships with AWS, Federated Wireless, and T-Mobile. The marine-focused installation at the Pier highlights the adaptability of the university’s 5G and private wireless strategy to environments beyond the traditional campus.
Supporting Environmental Diversity
The Pier deployment is a critical piece of Cal Poly’s broader mission to support research across one of the most environmentally diverse university landscapes in the country. From oceanic ecosystems and coastal wetlands to inland agricultural fields and forested foothills, Cal Poly’s varied environments serve as living laboratories for disciplines ranging from marine biology to environmental engineering.
With private LTE in place at the Pier, Cal Poly continues to strengthen its “Learn by Doing” model — enabling real-time, in-the-field innovation and ensuring students and researchers can remain connected across a diverse array of ecosystems and projects.