SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA — Cal Poly’s William and Linda Frost Center for Research and Innovation is helping redefine what wireless infrastructure can look like in higher education. Through its deployment of a neutral host private network and intelligent handover across multiple CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) cells, the Frost Building represents a forward-looking model for campus connectivity — and a shift away from the limitations of traditional commercial networks.

Smarter Connections with Intelligent Handover

The Frost Building is equipped with a network of CBRS small cells that allow devices to maintain uninterrupted connections as users move throughout the building. This intelligent handover capability ensures seamless transitions between CBRS access points, creating a carrier-grade user experience without dropped calls or stalled data sessions — a key benefit in a large, mixed-use facility like the Frost Center.

This design enables more consistent, high-performance coverage for everyone using the network, especially in challenging indoor environments where signal degradation is common.

A Neutral Host Model with Open Access

In contrast to the closed, operator-controlled architecture of public cellular networks, the Frost Building operates as a neutral host. This means that the wireless infrastructure can simultaneously support multiple commercial carriers on shared hardware — without needing separate deployments for each one.

The result is significant: Cal Poly students can access strong, reliable cellular connections inside the Frost Building using their own mobile plans, without needing a Cal Poly SIM or being restricted to university-provided services. This model opens up access while preserving security and control, and addresses one of the most common frustrations of students — poor signal inside large buildings.

Breaking Away from Traditional Carrier Limitations

Traditional cellular networks often restrict signal deployment to proprietary systems controlled by individual providers, requiring separate contracts, hardware, and permissions. This creates gaps in service and adds cost and complexity for building operators — especially in LEED-certified structures or research facilities with thick concrete, metal, or specialized materials.

By contrast, the neutral host deployment in the Frost Building sidesteps those challenges. The shared infrastructure, paired with dynamic spectrum allocation via CBRS, allows Cal Poly to extend consistent service where public networks often fall short — including basements, lab areas, and interior corridors that typically suffer from dead zones.

Setting the Standard for Campus-Wide Transformation

The Frost Building is just one example of how Cal Poly is transforming wireless access through private LTE and 5G technologies. The campus-wide initiative — supported by partners like AWS, Federated Wireless, T-Mobile, and Kajeet — is focused on bringing secure, scalable, high-performance wireless to both everyday users and research-driven applications.

The technology used here also supports the university’s broader goals, including digital twin development, smart building integration, and autonomous systems research. As the campus continues to evolve, the Frost Building stands as a testbed and proof point for how advanced wireless infrastructure can empower both connectivity and innovation.