Rolling out a private LTE network can seriously upgrade your enterprise connectivity. We’re talking better reliability, tighter security, and smoother performance than what you get with regular Wi-Fi. But all that depends on one critical step that comes before you plug in a single piece of hardware: understanding how to conduct a Private LTE site survey the right way.
A private LTE site survey is your chance to really get to know the space where you want your network. You figure out what the environment looks like, check out the radio frequency (RF) conditions, see what spectrum is actually available, and nail down the capacity you’ll need. Skip this step or try to rush through it, and you’ll probably run into dead zones, signal interference, unhappy users, and expensive fixes later.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to do a private LTE site survey, step by step—even if you’re new to this whole private cellular thing.
What Is a private LTE site survey?
Think of a private LTE site survey as an in-depth look at your location to decide how you should design and roll out your LTE network. It’s not just about the technical stuff—it’s about the physical space too.
Usually, a site survey digs into:
- The physical layout—how your space is set up
- What buildings are made of, and any obstacles in the way
- The RF environment and where interference might come from
- CBRS spectrum—what’s available where you are
- What kind of coverage and capacity do you actually need
- Where to put your LTE base stations and antennas for best results
When you finish, you’ll have a clear plan that shows where to put your gear, how much of the area you can cover, and how the network can grow as you need it.
Why private LTE site surveys matter
Private LTE is a whole different animal compared to Wi-Fi. LTE uses licensed or shared spectrum, relies on centralised scheduling, and is built for rock-solid performance. But you only get those benefits if you plan things out properly.
A site survey helps you:
- Avoid coverage gaps and dead spots
- Catch interference issues before they become problems
- Make sure critical apps always perform well
- Place radios and antennas exactly where they need to go
- Keep deployment and running costs down
- Set up a network that can scale when you’re ready
If you’re using CBRS Devices for your private LTE (which is pretty common in the US), the site survey is even more important. The way spectrum gets shared, and the extra rules in play, make it essential.
Step 1: define your business and network goals
Before you even start measuring anything, get clear on why you want this network in the first place.
Ask yourself:
- What will people actually use the network for? (IoT, voice, video, automation, data—you name it)
- How many users and devices will connect?
- Are you covering indoor spaces, outdoor areas, or both?
- What kind of performance do you need—think latency, throughput, uptime?
- Would you like to expand the network down the road?
The answers steer every technical decision you make during the survey and help you avoid building a network that’s too big or too small for your needs.
Step 2: Walk the site and check out the physical environment
Now it’s time to get your hands dirty (well, figuratively). Walk through the space and get familiar with the layout. The physical environment can make or break your wireless signal—especially with LTE running in the 3.5 GHz CBRS band.
Document things like:
- Floor plans and site maps
- What the walls and structures are made of (concrete, metal, glass, drywall)
- Ceiling heights, open spaces vs. closed-off areas
- Big objects—machinery, shelving, industrial equipment
- Outdoor obstacles—trees, walls, weird terrain
- High-density device areas
Heavy stuff like metal racks, concrete walls, or bulky machinery can really kill your LTE signal, so you want these details nailed down before you start planning.
Step 3: Check CBRS spectrum availability
If you’re in the US, you’ll probably use CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) for private LTE, which means you’ve got to deal with shared spectrum.
During your survey:
- See if there are other CBRS networks nearby
- Decide if you’ll use PAL or GAA spectrum
- Check spectrum availability with a SAS provider
- Watch out for incumbent protection zones, if they apply
CBRS spectrum isn’t the same everywhere. If you understand the local situation now, you won’t run into nasty surprises when you actually try to deploy.
Step 4: Take RF measurements and test the signal
Here’s where you get into the technical weeds. RF measurements show you what your signal really looks like, not just what you hope it’ll be.
Focus on things like:
- RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power)—for measuring signal strength
- SINR (Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio)—to check signal quality
- Throughput—so you know your data rates
- Latency—especially if you’ve got real-time apps
Use test radios, spectrum analysers, or LTE-capable devices with RF planning tools to collect these numbers. The point is to see how your signal moves through the site and spot any areas where coverage might drop off.
Keep going step by step, and you’ll set yourself up for a private LTE network that actually works the way you want.
Step 5: Plan base station and antenna placement
Start with what you learned from the physical survey and RF measurements. Now, figure out exactly where to put each LTE base station and antenna. You want the radios high enough to stretch coverage as far as possible. Keep them away from metal structures—those just get in the way. Overlap coverage zones so users stay connected while moving around, and separate your cells to cut down on self-interference. Think about tomorrow, not just today—leave room for growth and more users down the line. Good placement means stable connections, smooth handovers, and consistent performance everywhere you need it.
Step 6: Do capacity and traffic planning
Coverage is just the start. You also need to know how much traffic the network has to handle. Estimate how many users and devices you expect at the same time. Figure out how much bandwidth each application needs. Look at peak loads versus normal days, and don’t forget to plan for growth. This is the step that keeps your network running smoothly, even during busy times. It affects your spectrum plan, how many base stations you’ll need, and how you handle backhaul.
Step 7: Watch for interference and coexistence problems
Private LTE and CBRS run in spectrum that’s shared, so interference is always a risk. While you’re surveying, check for other nearby CBRS or LTE networks, industrial RF noise, Wi-Fi, and any other wireless systems that might get in the way. Watch for interference from outside sources, too. If you run into problems, you might need to tweak power levels, point antennas differently, switch channels, or add more cells to the area.
Step 8: Check indoor and outdoor coverage transitions
Most enterprise networks need both indoor and outdoor coverage, but radio signals act differently inside and out. During the survey, test how well outdoor radios reach into buildings. Spot places that need indoor small cells, and plan so users move smoothly between zones without losing connection. This is a big deal for places like campuses, warehouses, and industrial sites.
Step 9: Document everything and build a deployment plan
A site survey isn’t worth much if you don’t write things down clearly. You need coverage maps and RF heatmaps, recommended locations for every base station and antenna, your spectrum and channel plan, capacity estimates, and a solid installation checklist. Lay out any assumptions you’re making. This document becomes your playbook for rolling out, testing, and later tweaking the network.
Common mistakes to avoid during private LTE Site Surveys
People often cut corners and pay for it later. Don’t skip RF measurements—guessing leads to gaps. Never underestimate interference, especially in shared spectrum. Plan for tomorrow’s growth, not just today’s numbers. Don’t treat LTE like Wi-Fi; placement rules are different. And always document your work. Avoiding these mistakes sets you up for a stronger, more reliable network.
Conclusion: Site surveys lay the groundwork for privateLTE success
A private LTE site survey isn’t just another checkbox—it’s a smart investment in making your network reliable, fast, and ready to grow. When you dig into the site’s physical layout, measure RF conditions, check your spectrum, and plan for real-world capacity, you set yourself up for success—both now and down the road. Whether you’re building out a campus, automating an industrial facility, or rolling out CBRS LTE, a good site survey makes sure your network actually delivers what you need.
FAQs about: How to conduct a private LTE site survey
Q1. What is a private LTE site survey?
A private LTE site survey is an evaluation of a location’s physical layout, RF conditions, and spectrum availability to properly plan a private LTE or CBRS network deployment.
Q2. Is a site survey mandatory for private LTE deployments?
While not legally required, a site survey is strongly recommended. It helps prevent coverage gaps, interference issues, and performance problems after deployment.
Q3. How long does a private LTE site survey take?
A site survey can take a few hours for small indoor sites and several days for large industrial or campus environments, depending on complexity.
Q4. What tools are used during a private LTE site survey?
Common tools include RF planning software, LTE test radios, spectrum analysers, signal measurement devices, and coverage mapping tools.
Q5. Do CBRS networks require additional survey steps?
Yes. CBRS deployments require spectrum availability checks, interference analysis, and coordination with SAS providers, making the site survey even more critical.
Q6. Can a private LTE network work without a site survey?
It can, but the risk of poor coverage, interference, and costly redesigns increases significantly without proper site assessment and planning.
Q7. Who should perform a private LTE site survey?
Site surveys are typically conducted by network engineers, system integrators, or private LTE solution providers experienced in RF and CBRS planning.
Learn more about How to Conduct a Private LTE Site Survey here.
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