ICYMI: Industry Analyst Points to Airports as a Major Proof Point for Success in CBRS
For Immediate Release
May 26, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
In case you missed it – Dean Bubley, industry analyst and founder of Disruptive Analysis, recently wrote a column for Inside Towers discussing the major CBRS success stories in the airline industry. Bubley argues that the aviation sector is one of the clearest real-world use cases for CBRS and private 5G, as it streamlines operations and enhances safety and security throughout airport facilities.
“The conventional “private cellular versus Wi-Fi” debate misses the point,” wrote Bubley. “Airports build layered ecosystems combining Wi-Fi, private cellular, public mobile, fiber and fixed ethernet. This makes airports an important policy reference point, as their proximity to dense urban areas illustrates the risks of proposals to raise CBRS power levels. A March 2026 report by Valo Analytica showed that Miami could lose 29 percent of private wireless capacity under these scenarios.”
Read an excerpt from the article below.
Airports: A Proof-Point For CBRS And Private 5G
Inside Towers
Aviation is a clear case study for CBRS spectrum and localized, dedicated private 5G. U.S. airports facilitate more than 800 million passenger trips per year, support around 13 million jobs and generate about $1.8 trillion in annual economic output. Airports are complex settings with constant pressure to improve productivity, efficiency, security and passenger experience. They deploy a messy mix of network technologies, from wired Ethernet and fiber backbones to WiFi, distributed antenna systems (DAS), push-to-talk systems and other specialized networks.
The physical environment compounds connectivity challenges: vast outdoor areas, underground tunnels, metal-heavy baggage systems, hangars and constant movement from aircraft, vehicles and people. Fiber remains central, but installation is disruptive and expensive – often turning into a major capital project. Wireless works better for cameras, scanners, kiosks, staff terminals and service vehicles. WiFi has limited effectiveness outdoors or for critical IoT systems, while public mobile may have “dead spots” in underground and remote airfield areas.
Check out the full article here.