PNK R980

The PNK R980 is RCN Technologies' compact Pop-Up Network Kit: an Ericsson Cradlepoint R980 5G router, antennas, and power hardware installed in a ruggedized transportable case that weighs about 14 lb. RCN assembles, configures, and tests every kit in Knoxville, Tennessee, so it arrives ready to place, power, and switch on. One button brings the network up in roughly 90 seconds, with no configuration screen.

It is RCN's default recommendation for most field teams, including election sites, emergency response, mobile clinics, field offices, and events where up to 100 devices need Wi-Fi within about 300 feet. The kit runs from any clean 12 V or 110 V source, so it can draw power from a wall outlet, a vehicle, a generator, or a battery. Wall and vehicle chargers are included.

What each option includes: the complete kit with the R980 router and its Ericsson NetCloud Mobile plan for the term you choose (Essentials, or Essentials + Advanced, for 1, 3, or 5 years). RCN provisions the router in NetCloud before the kit ships.

What's included and how it performs

Ericsson Cradlepoint R980 datasheet (router inside the kit)

Compatibility

• Works with: any Wi-Fi client device, including laptops, tablets, scanners, and payment terminals, plus two wired devices on the router's gigabit ports
• Carriers: SIMs from Verizon, AT&T (including FirstNet), T-Mobile, or US Cellular, or an eSIM carrier profile
• Power: any clean 12 V or 110 V source through the included wall or vehicle charger

Right for you if

• You need a working network at a site with no reliable internet, set up by people who are not IT staff
• Up to 100 devices will connect within about 300 feet
• One person needs to carry the kit and set it up quickly
• You deploy to elections, emergencies, clinics, events, or field operations

PNK R980 vs. PNK R1900 Single Modem vs. PNK R1900 Dual Modem

Choose the PNK R980 for portability and value in most field deployments. Step up to the PNK R1900 Single Modem for higher capacity and longer range on the ruggedized R1900 router, or to the PNK R1900 Dual Modem when two carriers need to run at the same time so a carrier outage does not take the site offline. If you only need the router for a vehicle, see the Ericsson Cradlepoint R980.

Common deployments

Election sites and early voting, emergency response and EOC continuity, fire and EMS staging, mobile clinics and blood drives, libraries and bookmobiles, construction trailers, and live events.

What RCN adds

• Assembly, cabling, labeling, and testing by RCN in Knoxville, Tennessee before the kit ships
• Pre-provisioning in NetCloud so the kit powers on ready to use, with no configuration on site
• U.S.-based 24/7 NOC monitoring and support as a managed service (quoted separately)
• Purchase on GSA Schedule, NASPO ValuePoint, Sourcewell, OMNIA Partners, Equalis Group, Carahsoft, COSTARS, and NCPA contracts, or on a PO for approved accounts

FAQ

Does it need IT staff to set up?
No. RCN provisions the router in NetCloud before the kit ships, so there is no configuration on site. Place the case, connect power, press the button, and the network comes up in roughly 90 seconds. Devices join the Wi-Fi like any other network, so poll workers, clinic staff, and volunteers can deploy it without help.

How many devices can connect, and how far does it reach?
RCN rates the PNK R980 for up to 100 simultaneous devices within about 300 feet, depending on walls, terrain, and interference. Cradlepoint rates the R980 router for a typical 50 clients. For busy sites with many heavy users, such as large incident command posts, the PNK R1900 kits offer more capacity and range.

What power does the kit need?
The kit includes a wall charger and a vehicle charger, and RCN designs it to run from any clean 12 V or 110 V source, including a generator or a battery. A team can run it from an outlet indoors, from a vehicle at a staging area, or from portable power at an outdoor site.

Which carriers does it work with?
RCN supports Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Cellular for the PNK, and the R980 inside is carrier-certified on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The R980 is FirstNet Trusted, so agencies can run the kit on FirstNet with an AT&T FirstNet SIM. Its embedded eSIM also lets you change carriers over the air.

Can we buy it on a cooperative contract?
Yes. The PNK is available on GSA Schedule, NASPO ValuePoint, Sourcewell, OMNIA Partners, Equalis Group, Carahsoft, COSTARS, and NCPA cooperative contracts, and RCN can invoice approved accounts on a purchase order. Use the quote link below to request a formal quote you can route through procurement.

What warranty covers the router?
The Cradlepoint R980 inside the kit carries Cradlepoint's limited lifetime hardware warranty for as long as its NetCloud plan is active, and the plan includes Cradlepoint support for the full term. RCN quotes the NetCloud renewal before the term ends so the kit stays under management and under warranty.