What federal agencies are looking for in a managed service provider

Federal agencies are increasingly looking to modernize their technology infrastructure and one of the key components to that is their communications networks. Whether focused on delivering better user experiences in government buildings, or enabling a significantly more mobile and remote workforce, agency IT leaders need to upgrade their wired and wireless networking components.


CommScope’s Director of Federal Sales, Jay Williams, leads a highly-experienced business development team that is growing CommScope’s infrastructure and networking solutions throughout the federal government. We sat down with Jay to get a sense of what he is hearing from his government clients in terms of their wireless network modernization requirements.

Q: What are you seeing in terms of wireless adoptions or requirements within the federal government? 

We are seeing a definitive need for public safety distributed antenna systems (DAS) and carrier-based DAS for in-building wireless connectivity. A public safety DAS provides a dedicated cellular network for first responders that are handling an incident within a government building, ensuring they are able to connect wirelessly to communicate while onsite. This type of network is required for buildings in Virginia and DC and is a key component to public safety response efforts. For day-to-day needs, carrier-based DAS provides government employees and guests with as good – if not better – wireless service compared to home or other public networks, providing a positive experience and creating a more efficient work environment.   

Q: What are some questions that government agencies need to consider when determining what wireless solution to pursue? 

There are a series of key questions government agencies should consider when determining what wireless solution to pursue. Does your agency need an upgraded DAS/Wi-Fi network? The agency should examine if their wireless coverage is inadequate, if mobile devices are frequently used in-building, and if there is no dedicated public safety network. Is your network prepared to add emerging technologies? The agency would need to ensure it has enough bandwidth to support 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and related capabilities.  

Do you have a current support contract for your network management? An agency may be paying for unused ports, multiple vendors for network support, and expensive subscription services for network management and monitoring. Are you able to effectively support a remote workforce? This is dependent on bandwidth restrictions, ineffective security on remote devices, and accessibility issues. Clearly, this has been a major focus over the past several months.   

Q: What advice would you give to government agencies considering a network modernization initiative? 

There are several things government agencies need to take into consideration when contemplating a network modernization initiative. Agencies need to determine the entire scope of requirements across the agency. They also need to examine what a managed services approach might provide in terms of cost savings, flexibility, and lowered risk. 

Determining what kind of vendor they want to work with is also important. They should consider working with a single vendor to provide services which will streamline the procurement process. Another option is to consider a partner that is vendor agnostic so that they are not locked into a specific platform. If an agency decides to go with a vendor, they need to make sure they understand the government environment and have the required security certifications to work in that environment. 

Q: Let’s discuss the managed services aspect a little more, why are agencies considering this approach? 

We are seeing agencies turn towards a Wi-Fi as-a-service approach which takes the onus of network management and maintenance off the agency, allowing their managed service provider to handle these issues. Government agencies are reaping the benefits of as-a-service delivery models across the technology landscape. Pursuing as-a-service for networking and Wi-Fi ensures that network components remain up to date and eliminates the reliance on legacy hardware. It also allows government agencies to redirect their focus from purchasing, owning, and managing equipment to concentrating on mission delivery. All-in-all this approach elevates the level of service being provided and lowers the potential for technological issues to occur.  

Q: What cellular or wireless capabilities does CommScope provide to government agencies? 

CommScope can provide everything from the infrastructure required to establish a network to the managed services that run and maintain that network for more efficient workflows. We offer an access and policy management workflow engine, cloud or on-prem network controllers, stackable network switches, indoor and outdoor access points, wireless access points, and managed services. All of our cellular and wireless capabilities are scalable, secure, low cost, low risk, and reduce latency. Basically, we can provide an end-to-end solution for government agencies. 

For more information on the wireless solutions that CommScope provides, and how we could become your partner, visit our website.  For additional Wi-Fi related blog content, read the first blog in this series, and keep an eye out for our next blog in this series which will provide a deeper dive into a Wi-Fi-as-a-service approach.