FAQ

A portable broadband kit is a self-contained case that delivers high-speed internet and voice communications wherever you set it down. It combines an antenna system, connectivity system(s), and a power system in one ruggedized enclosure, so a whole team can get online in minutes without relying totally on fixed infrastructure. Depending on the configuration, a portable broadband kit connects over cellular, over LEO satellite, or over both for redundancy. Teams use portable broadband kits to stay connected in remote areas, during network outages, or congested networks, and anywhere the mission goes that requires connectivity. You may see the same category described by several related terms. A portable cellular kit is a cellular-only version; a network in a box describes how everything is integrated into one enclosure; a deployable or mobile broadband solution emphasizes how quickly it travels to the field and goes live. Each name highlights a different element, but they all refer to the same type of solution. 

A portable cellular kit is the cellular-only type of portable broadband kit: it pulls in an existing cellular signal and broadcasts that connection as Wi-Fi. Portable cellular kits may be equipped with a secondary modem, allowing to pull in cellular signals from different carriers to diversify the ability to conntect. A high-gain antenna array pulls in signal from farther than a phone or hotspot can, so the kit performs where coverage exists but consumer equipment struggles. Choose a cellular kit when you know the area has coverage and need stronger, more reliable access. When coverage is uncertain or absent, a satellite-capable configuration is the better fit. 

A network in a box is a complete communications network built into a single enclosure, so every part you would normally assemble separately (the gateway, modem, antenna, and power) is already integrated and configured. You open one case, power it on, and your team is online, with no rack to build and no IT specialist required. This integrated design is what lets a Plum kit deploy in minutes and travel as one piece. The term describes how the system is packaged, not which network it connects to.

A deployable broadband solution is connectivity built to travel to the mission and go live fast, rather than staying fixed to one location. It moves to disaster sites, remote work areas, events, and field operations, then delivers data and voice on demand. Because a Plum kit is self-contained and self-powered, connectivity follows the team instead of the team being limited to where infrastructure already exists. The emphasis here is mobility and speed to deploy, wherever the work happens.

LEO stands for low Earth orbit. LEO satellite internet delivers broadband from satellites orbiting much closer to Earth than traditional satellites, which means lower latency and faster speeds. Because it does not depend on cellular towers, LEO services such as Starlink® can provide connectivity in areas with no cell coverage at all, which makes it a strong option for truly remote or infrastructure-free locations.

Multi-pathway connectivity means a single kit can reach the internet over more than one type of network, such as cellular and LEO satellite, at the same time. If one pathway degrades or drops, the others keep the connection alive. This layered approach is what allows a kit to stay online in unpredictable conditions where any single network might fail. 

Ruggedized means the equipment is engineered to keep working in harsh field conditions rather than a controlled office environment. That includes resistance to impact, vibration, dust, moisture, and temperature extremes. Plum kits are housed in protective cases and engineered to MIL-STD-810 standards, so they hold up to real-world transport and deployment.

MIL-STD-810 is a U.S. Department of Defense standard that defines a series of environmental tests for equipment durability, covering conditions like shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, dust, and altitude. Products engineered to these standards are designed to survive rough handling and demanding environments. Plum kits are engineered to MIL-STD-810 standards for field reliability.

An antenna array is a system of multiple coordinated antennas that work together to send and receive signals more effectively than a single antenna. A stronger, more sensitive array can pull in usable cellular signal at greater distances and hold a steadier connection at the edge of coverage. Plum’s proprietary antenna array is central to its reach, and in real-world conditions it has maintained cellular connectivity at distances up to 40 miles from a tower. Note: performance cannot be guaranteed. Plum has engineered its antenna array to maximize performance in weak signal environments so that it can be trusted across all environments.

Plum Laboratories is a U.S. manufacturer of ruggedized, portable broadband connectivity kits for mission-critical communications. The company designs and builds self-contained kits that keep teams online during outages, in remote locations, and in the field. Its products are used across public safety, emergency management, defense, events, and enterprise business continuity.

Plum Laboratories is headquartered in Springfield, Tennessee, at 502 East 22nd Avenue. The company designs and builds its portable broadband kits in the United States. You can reach Plum by phone at (615) 686-9710.

Plum Laboratories was founded in 2016 in rural Tennessee to build rugged, portable broadband for areas that lacked reliable connectivity. After 41 prototypes, the first Plum Case was produced. Today, Plum holds 13 patents across antenna, power, and hybrid connectivity design.

Plum kits are used by public safety agencies, first responders, emergency management teams, defense units, event and broadcast operations, and enterprises that cannot afford downtime. Plum has supported organizations including NASA, FEMA, ESPN, and the Army National Guard. 

Plum builds its own core technology rather than assembling off-the-shelf parts, including our proprietary Plum Antenna Array for extended reach and broadcast, and the proprietary Plum Power Bank for scalable, self-contained power. Kits are engineered to stay online when conventional infrastructure fails, using multiple connectivity pathways where the configuration calls for it. Every kit is backed by U.S.-based Plum Care support.

There are many avenues that can be utilized for purchasing Plum Laboratories’ products. If you are a commercial entity, you can simply purchase directly from Plum Laboratories although you are also free to purchase from Plum Laboratories’ resellers.  For a list of Federal and State approved resellers simply contact us at (615) 686-9710 or sales@plumcases.com and we will provide a current, updated list along with the contracts they hold for your convenience. Plum also has contracts with some State agencies and is happy to apply for contractual status in your state if we are not already approved.