SmartWAVE Technologies
Bridging the Digital Divide through Wireless Connectivity

In the modern world, connectivity should be a right, not a privilege. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it forced many businesses to shut down their offices and transition to a virtual work environment. This shift led broadband to become an essential utility, no different than electricity, water, or heat. To this end, it has become increasingly important for city leaders to bridge the digital divide—the gap between individuals who have comfortable access to the internet and people who don’t—by ensuring reliable internet access and seamless connectivity.

As a leading wireless systems integrator, SmartWAVE Technologies conquers the digital divide by delivering innovative wireless-centric solutions to connect people and places across the healthcare, education, and, most importantly, smart city sector. The company serves a variety of clients, from high-density public venues, such as airports and convention centers, to underserved communities through their community centers and parks.

The pandemic revealed drastic inequality in connectivity for underserved communities, digital divide pre-dates the pandemic, but as life, school and work moved increasingly online, the gap between the served and unserved was thrust to the forefront,” says Al Brown, President and CEO, SmartWAVE Technologies. SmartWAVE Technologies has played a pivotal role in supporting these communities by extending connectivity that helps them thrive in the virtual environment and access critical digital resources, including education, work, communication, and healthcare.

SmartWAVE has built the 5 largest mesh wifi networks in the U.S., which includes Hidalgo County (TX), Council Bluffs (IA), San Mateo County (CA), San Jose (CA) and Oakland (CA). These cities are using broadband to invest in their economic development and to become more well-connected communities. Ascities continue to invest in free public Wi-Fi, it will ensure that regardless of socioeconomic status, demographics, or other factors, these community members will be able to fully participate in digital life.

What sets SmartWAVE Technologies apart from other system integrators is their ability to address the diverse connectivity requirements of clients.

First, they analyze the technology choices available depending on each client’s requirements. Throughout the planning phase, their expert teams identify the available assets, required bandwidth, type of applications, type of latency requirements, and budget for the project. “All wireless networks are designed around using carrier grade applications such as Ekahu, EDX Pro, Global Mapper, and Airmagnet,” adds Brown.

The design phase includes site or location surveys to examine the physical construction characteristics of the locations for equipment installation. This analysis helps the team understand the structural integrity, environmental impact, and aesthetic impact of an outdoor or indoor tower on a building—especially for those with specific architectural demands. Ultimately, the team turns the client’s vision into reality through the installation phase. “We take the information collected during the planning and design phase and deploy the solution, be it an outdoor wireless network or indoor wireless network. To ensure we have met our personal commitment to clients, we test the network effectively after installation. We make sure that the network can be supported by clients’ own internal staff or by us,” says Brown.

As all wireless networks are designed around coverage and capacity, our experts effectively understand these aspects in the planning stage and then only move to the design stage

Within the wireless industry there is consistent innovation and disruption, which SmartWAVE Technologies embraces head-on. Their team continually investigates the latest technologies available in the market and then determines how they can marry these technologies to best fit the clients’ specific application needs. “Our passion for wireless and building trusted relationships as a technology partner help us stay competitive. We aim to continue to learn about the technologies available and how they can positively impact communities,” asserts Brown.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, SmartWAVE has opened three more offices to support multiple government projects aimed at extending broadband infrastructure across communities. “We are ready to deploy the best-fit and innovative wireless technologies to solve the complex connectivity issues facing communities today,” concludes Brown.