Security Sales & Integration February 2023 - 8

INDUSTRY PULSE
IN DEPTH
There's a new wireless
communication technology
that promises to represent a
paradigm shift in the smart home and
security markets. No, I am not talking
about the new Matter wireless standard,
but the new Citizens Band Radio Service
(CBRS) spectrum.
To be specific, CBRS is a portion of
the cellular spectrum that was previously
owned by the U.S. Department of Defense
that was approved for commercial
use by the FCC in January 2020.
The approval determined that noncellular
companies like Verizon, AT&T
and T-Mobile had the ability to use, for
private purposes, cellular technology like
LTE and 5G. The network provides 5G
speeds and predictable latency compared
to WiFi, for example.
Among the first companies to take advantage
of this new alternative is access
control manufacturer LittleBird, which
has partnered with Alef, a technology
company that has created the first mobile
edge API platform using CBRS cellular
technology.
The two companies recently signed
a multimillion-dollar agreement
that
allows LittleBird to use Alef's LTE/5G
core services and APIs to enable a private
mobile network, using the CBRS spectrum
for LittleBird's Smart Technologies
application of residential properties
across the U.S.
The companies' offering targets multidwelling
unit (MDU) communities and
office applications, and it will enable system
integrators to quickly deploy reliable
wireless communications for LittleBird's
door entry access control, gate operators,
telephone entry and video intercoms
without having to wait for the deployment
of high-speed fiber infrastructure to
individual units.
Alef radios are embedded in LittleBird
8
NEWS ANALYSIS RESEARCH PEOPLE
CBRS Spectrum Poses Opportunity for
Wireless Communications Shift by Jason Knott
solutions to enable them to use the CBRS
spectrum. The Alef API lets LittleBird
create its own private network for MDU
properties. CBRS also allows a system controller
to communicate via Z-Wave to all
the sensors in a condo or apartment.
" The sensors now have an alternative
to fiber, " says Jim Jacobellis, senior vice
president of technology partners and sales
at Alef. " They were locked out of a lot of
properties. The API approach allows them
to unlock these properties. Let's say the
property doesn't want to dig up the parking
lot to put in security cameras. They
now have a way to not only enable this
LittleBird controller app, but add security
cameras, or even cost effectively add WiFi
hotspots to the common areas, like by
swimming pools. "
This partnership removes the complexity
of deploying a private mobile network
and allows LittleBird to launch across
multiple properties quickly and affordably.
LittleBird will be able to control its
smart home automation and smart access
control devices across its property portfolio
while connecting to Alef's network to
increase mobility to otherwise inaccessible
locations. Utilizing Alef's APIs to support
a private mobile network gives LittleBird
an alternative to traditional mobile network
operators through a cost-effective,
low-latency network that expands reach
across their many U.S. locations.
LittleBird was launched four years
ago with the focus on providing better
technology for MDUs. The company
manufactures video intercom, access
control readers, telephone entry system
hardware, and it builds software for multifamily
communities.
Using the LittleBird app, residents have
" smart access control " for vehicle gates,
pedestrian gates and amenity spaces. The
system controller also communicates via
Z-Wave and other wireless protocols to
Security Sales & Integration FEBRUARY 2023
Access control maker LittleBird is
among the first companies to take
advantage of the new Citizens Band
Radio Service portion of the spectrum.
various devices in the home, including
smart home features such as door locks,
thermostats, and light sensors.
The system extends into resident engagement
features like events management,
amenity reservations,
discussion
boards and announcements from property
management staff. Meanwhile, property
managers use a web portal to interact
with LittleBird.
" The ultimate goal of the application is
getting residents to feel comfortable, put
roots down, and feel like it's a place that
they want to stay. We want them to keep
being happy citizens and pay rent longterm
while turning ROI back to the owner-developer
and making it more efficient
for the property staff, " says Ryan Maguire,
general manager, LittleBird.
Making the solution even more attractive,
LittleBird shares recurring monthly
revenue (RMR) with its channel partners.
" It's a unique business model, because
we actually have a contract directly with
the customer as well, " says Maguire.
" We're supporting them in technical ways
and feature development, and those kinds
of things as well. "
JASON KNOTT is Chief Content Officer at
Emerald and Editor-in-Chief of SSI sister
publication CE Pro.
securitysales.com
GOLITTLEBIRD.COM
http://www.GOLITTLEBIRD.COM http://www.securitysales.com
Security Sales & Integration February 2023

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