How the experts at Metro Wireless design a private LTE network

How the experts at Metro Wireless designed a private cellular (pLTE/5G) network for an oil & gas client

Overview

At Metro Wireless, we're often approached by businesses operating in remote or challenging environments who struggle with traditional wireless coverage.

One recent project stood out: an oil and gas company came to us after exhausting all options with major cellular carriers. Their goal? Build a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective private cellular network (i.e, pLTE or p5G).

This blog explains how we turned a connectivity black hole into a high-performance LTE/5 G-powered area.

The energy client's challenge

The client manages a large outdoor oil and gas terminal used for storage and processing. The site’s remote location meant that none of the national carriers provided adequate coverage — not even for basic calls or texts.This was highly inconvenient and was also operationally risky.

They tried reaching out to major telecoms:

1. AT&T declined to install infrastructure at all.
   
2. Verizon offered to build a tower — but only for $2 million and with an 18-month delivery window.
   
   

That’s when they turned to Metro Wireless to explore private cellular network solutions.

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Initial phase: discovery and use case identification

We began with a site discovery process, engaging the client's IT and operations teams to fully understand their requirements. The client didn’t just need outdoor private wireless coverage. They also required:

1. Indoor coverage for administrative offices and control rooms.
   
   
2. Seamless cellular connectivity for all on-site employees using company-issued smartphones.
   
   
3. A network capable of supporting industrial operations systems, including process monitoring and safety infrastructure.
   
   

The client wanted these devices to connect via physical SIMs or eSIMs — a detail that allowed us to explore full privatized and secure LTE/5G integration.

Why implementing a private LTE/5G network was the right solution

Private LTE and 5G offer more than just a strong signal. They provide enterprise-grade speed, security, and network ownership — something you don’t get with public carriers.

Here’s why we knew it was the right choice:

1. Full control over infrastructure and traffic
   
   
2. Custom configuration options tailored to the client’s exact needs
   
   
3. Lower long-term cost than public cellular contracts
   
   
4. Guaranteed coverage where they need it most — indoor and outdoor
   
   

“We weren’t just solving dropped calls— but rather designing resilient communications infrastructure.”

Coverage design and planning

After the use cases were clear, we moved on to designing the actual network. This included everything from coverage mapping to tower placement, ensuring there were no blind spots. We also looped in specialists to determine:

1. How many towers would be needed
   
   
2. Power source planning for each tower
   
   
3. Backhaul strategy for network reliability (e.g., fiber backhaul, or wireless microwave backhaul)

Evaluating hardware vendors

We then began evaluating two potential vendors to deliver the private LTE/5G solution. Each came with trade-offs:

Celona: enterprise-grade option

Celona stands out as the industry leader for enterprise-grade private networks. Their solution:

1. Uses cloud-native architecture
   
   
2. Offers plug-and-play integration via QR code activation
   
   
3. Ensures ultra-reliable low-latency communication

For this deployment, our experts proposed a five-tower layout for optimal coverage using Celona access points and endpoints.

However, Celona is also known to be amongst the most expensive options in the private cellular market.

Alternative hardware option

We also reviewed a lower-cost alternative. This option was more budget-friendly but:

1. Required a dedicated on-premises server
   
   
2. Made device onboarding complex, especially for non-technical users
   
   
3. Lacked some advanced features like cloud integration
   
   

“It worked on paper— but it didn’t scale the way we needed it to.”

Final solution: Metro Wireless turn-key network

After weighing both options, we proposed a Celona-based, fully managed solution that gave the client all the benefits of enterprise performance, without the heavy lifting.

Our turnkey solution design included:

1. Procurement and provisioning of Celona hardware
   
   
2. Installation of five strategically placed towers
   
   
3. Setup of power systems and microwave network backhaul
   
   
4. End-to-end network configuration
   
   
5. QR code activation for all employee phones

This meant users could simply scan and connect— no IT support needed.

“Metro Wireless came in at a third of what Verizon would charge — and we could get it live in three months, not eighteen.”

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Speed & scalability

Here’s how Metro Wireless stacked up versus the traditional carrier model:

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This design wasn’t just a win for today— it was meant to set the client up for the future. With Celona’s infrastructure, the network as designed is:

1. Ready for future user onboarding
   
   
2. Compatible with IoT and industrial automation
   
   
3. Fully manageable through a single cloud dashboard
   
   

Key takeaways

Here’s a snapshot of what made this project successful:

1. Private LTE/5G enabled full coverage across the large terminal area
   
   
2. Celona’s QR code provisioning simplifies onboarding
   
   
3. Power and backhaul planning were included, not outsourced
   
   
4. Deployment was completed in 3 months
   
   
5. The client now has a secure, scalable, and reliable network
   
   

Conclusion

When traditional carriers can’t meet the demand — or charge millions for a solution that takes years — there’s another path. At Metro Wireless, we deliver custom private cellular networks that are faster, more affordable, and tailored to your specific operational needs.

This oil and gas client now has high-speed connectivity to stay operational, compliant, and competitive. And we’re proud to have made it happen.

Shameless Plug:

Major carriers wanted $2M and 18 months to cover an oil & gas terminal. We designed a private LTE/5G network that could be deployed in 90 days for a fraction of the cost.

Reach out to Metro Wireless at sales@metrowireless.com for to eliminate zones. No excuses. Just industrial-grade connectivity.

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