POP-UP NETWORK KIT (PNK)
The Deployable 5G Network That Works Anywhere, Instantly
The RCN Pop-Up Network Kit (PNK) is a purpose-built deployable 5G network solution that arrives fully assembled, powers on in minutes, and delivers reliable connectivity wherever traditional networks cannot reach. Built for speed, simplicity, and real-world deployment.
Purpose-Built, Not Pieced Together
The PNK is RCN's deployable 5G network, built end to end in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The RCN Pop-Up Network Kit is a purpose-built portable Wi-Fi solution designed to deliver secure, reliable internet access anywhere traditional networks cannot reach. Each PNK is fully assembled, tested, and manufactured by RCN in Knoxville, Tennessee, and ships ready for immediate out-of-the-box operation.
From emergency response and elections to construction sites, healthcare, and field operations, PNK enables organizations to deploy enterprise-grade portable Wi-Fi in minutes, not days. It combines cellular, optional satellite, power, and networking into a single rugged, transportable kit. Unlike DIY case builds or component-only solutions, every PNK arrives fully integrated with all required hardware installed, cabled, labeled, and tested before shipment.
Portable Wi-Fi designed for real-world use.
PNK is built for fast deployment in demanding environments. Whether deployed by technical teams or non-technical staff, the experience remains the same: power on and connect. A rapidly deployable network for the moments when speed, reliability, and simplicity matter most.
10 verticals. One platform. Scroll →
Elections / Voting
Polling places online from open to close.
Voter check-in, ballot scanning, real-time reporting at school gyms and rented community centers.
Emergency Response
The agency back online in minutes.
Severe weather, building incident, power loss. EM directors deploy PNK for immediate continuity.
Police / Fire / EMS
Incident command without the wait.
Wildland fire camps, multi-agency response, hazmat staging. FirstNet-compatible via AT&T SIMs.
Telehealth / Mobile Healthcare
Clinics that move with the patient.
Mobile clinics, vaccination drives, hospital surge response, bloodmobiles. Supports HIPAA technical safeguards.
K-12 / Field Trips
Connectivity for learning beyond the building.
Field-trip broadcasting, community events, district-wide drills, school relocations. Pre-provisioned and managed.
College & University Athletics
Game-day broadcast and venue ops.
Stadium adjuncts, away-game press box, training-camp comms. Carrier-aggregated bandwidth for live feeds.
Libraries & Bookmobiles
Community programming, anywhere the bookmobile parks.
Bookmobile internet, summer reading sites, warming labs, branch outreach. Library-friendly content filtering.
Construction / Remote Job Sites
The trailer online before the foundation pours.
Job-site offices, BIM access, drone uplinks, security cameras. Multi-carrier bonding where signal is marginal.
Pop-Up Retail / Events
Point of sale and registration on day one.
Stadium concessions, conference floors, holiday markets, training environments. PoE switching included.
Government Field Ops
Inspections, audits, mobile offices.
State and federal field teams need connectivity that travels. Encrypted by default, FedRAMP-pathway-ready.
Enterprise-grade networking, powered by Ericsson Cradlepoint.
Every PNK is built around Cradlepoint cellular routers, selected for reliability, security, and leadership in Wireless WAN. RCN is an elite Cradlepoint partner with over a decade of deployment and lifecycle management experience. That expertise is embedded directly into every PNK we ship.
4G LTE and 5G connectivity
Multi-band support across all major US carriers.
Advanced security and policy controls
NetCloud SASE, encrypted by default, supports compliance frameworks.
NetCloud cloud management
Centralized monitoring, configuration, and firmware delivery.
Carrier-agnostic design
Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular. Active failover by default.
Mission-critical performance
Field-proven across thousands of public sector deployments.
Satellite-ready portable Wi-Fi with Starlink compatibility.
RCN is launching a Starlink-compatible PNK configuration designed to support satellite connectivity for environments where cellular coverage is limited or unavailable. This option expands PNK into a true hybrid portable Wi-Fi platform, enabling cellular, satellite, or combined connectivity depending on site conditions.
For rural fire camps, remote construction, federal field operations, and any deployable cellular network site where the carrier signal alone won't carry the load, the Starlink option closes the gap.
Starlink hardware and service are provided separately. RCN does not resell Starlink services, but designs PNK to integrate cleanly and operationally with compatible satellite terminals.
One platform. Two backhaul paths. Choose either, or run both together.
Fully assembled. Fully tested. Fully turnkey.
Every Pop-Up Network Kit is manufactured and assembled by RCN in Knoxville, Tennessee, not shipped as a collection of parts. Domestic manufacturing keeps quality control consistent, support response fast, and system integration tighter than any reseller stack.
Before shipment
Every PNK undergoes 5 QC stages.
- ✓Physical assembly and cable management
- ✓Router installation and configuration
- ✓Power system integration
- ✓Functional testing and validation
- ✓Final quality inspection
When the kit arrives
Deployment is 4 steps. That's it.
- 1Place the kit
- 2Connect power
- 3Power on
- 4Connect devices
Place
Set the case anywhere within range of the connected devices. Indoor, outdoor, or vehicle mount.
Power
Wall, vehicle, generator, or battery. Any clean 12V or 110V source.
On
Single button. Network up in roughly 90 seconds. No configuration screen.
Connect
Tablets, laptops, scanners, payment terminals. Up to 256 devices on the R1900.
That is portable Wi-Fi without friction.
Four reasons organizations choose RCN for portable Wi-Fi.
Elite wireless WAN expertise.
RCN supports Cradlepoint environments nationwide, from single routers to large-scale fleets. That expertise directly informs how PNK is built, supported, and evolved. We also provide consultation, lifecycle support, and expansion guidance as customer needs evolve.
Purpose-built, not pieced together.
RCN designs PNK as a complete system, not a case plus components. Every decision is made to reduce deployment risk and operational complexity. PNKs deliver pre-configured by RCN staff so anyone can press the power button and connect, regardless of technical capability.
Made in the USA.
PNK is assembled in Knoxville, Tennessee. Domestic manufacturing keeps quality control consistent, support response fast, and system integration tighter than any reseller stack. For federal and state agencies, this is also a procurement-grade trust signal.
Financially accessible.
Competitive case solutions on the market either charge a premium or hit you with not-so-optional accessory fees that add up. We often say it like this: buy two PNKs for the price of one, without the sacrifice in quality.
The PNK is premium portable Wi-Fi
But don't take it from us.
"We needed to provide Wi-Fi service in areas with poor or no cellular coverage, especially regions impacted by storms or natural disasters. After discussing the issue with our cellular provider, we were advised to look into portable routers. We explored a few vendors and ultimately chose RCN Technologies' Pop-Up Network Kit (PNK) featuring the Cradlepoint R1900 Ruggedized 5G Router. Its rugged design allows us to use it both in our mobile command center and in the field."
"The flexibility of the PNK has made a real difference in our operations. It's fully mobile. We can run it from a vehicle, deploy it on-scene, or use it at a facility that's lost Internet. We even installed an external antenna on our mobile command trailer for improved range, but when rapid deployment is needed, we just switch to the internal antenna in the case. Even without the external antenna, we were able to maintain a 5G connection nearly 200 feet away at a recent event."
"One standout moment was during a lightning strike at our courthouse, on election day no less, which knocked out the Internet. We quickly deployed the PNK to the Clerk's Office. Six computers connected seamlessly and stayed online for nearly a week until service was restored. That single moment proved the unit's value."
"If you're in public safety or emergency response and considering the PNK, I can confidently say it's a rugged, reliable solution. It even supports dual-carrier connectivity for added resilience. It's an essential tool in our mobile operations toolkit."
Our Customers
Explore the RCN Pop-Up Network Kit
Five configurations. One platform.
If your organization needs portable Wi-Fi that works immediately, scales reliably, and is backed by real expertise, the RCN Pop-Up Network Kit delivers. Pick the configuration that matches the deployment and we route you to the shop or a specialist.
PNK R980
Compact, fast to move.
For single teams running portable, high-mobility deployments. 14 lbs, vehicle-charger-ready.
- Router R980
- Devices Up to 100
- Range ~300 ft
PNK R1900
Higher capacity, longer range.
For full incident command, polling places, multi-team sites needing density and throughput.
- Router R1900
- Devices Up to 256
- Range ~500 ft
R1900 Dual Modem
Zero failover lag.
Two carriers run active-active so traffic is already on the other when one degrades.
- Modems 2 active
- Failover Zero lag
- Carriers 2x simultaneous
PNK Starlink-Ready
For rural and marginal cellular.
Cellular plus Starlink LEO satellite, integrated. Hybrid backhaul for remote sites.
- Backhaul Cell + Sat
- Use case Rural / remote
- Failover Cell-to-Sat
PNK Ready for Router (RFR)
Bring your own router.
For agencies with a standardized Cradlepoint router fleet who want the case, antenna, and integration without the router.
- Router RFR
- Antenna Panorama
- Use case Existing fleet
Not sure which configuration fits? Tell us about the deployment and a specialist will recommend the right setup.
Designed for public sector acquisition, deployment, and compliance
Government procurement ready.
The RCN Pop-Up Network Kit is built to support government procurement requirements at the federal, state, and local levels. From purchasing through approved contract vehicles to rapid field deployment, PNK is structured to reduce friction across the entire public sector buying process.
RCN works directly with agencies, municipalities, school districts, and public safety organizations to ensure portable Wi-Fi solutions align with procurement standards, budget cycles, and operational mandates.
Portable Wi-Fi FAQ / RCN Pop-Up Network Kit
Frequently asked questions.
What is a deployable 5G network, and how does the PNK provide portable Wi-Fi?
What makes PNK different from other portable Wi-Fi solutions?
Is the Pop-Up Network Kit easy to deploy for non-technical users?
What types of use cases is portable Wi-Fi designed for?
- Emergency response and disaster recovery
- Temporary and pop-up locations
- Elections and voting centers
- Construction and remote job sites
- Telehealth and mobile healthcare
- Government and public safety operations
- Events, training environments, and field offices
What cellular technology does PNK use for portable Wi-Fi?
Does RCN provide support for the cellular router?
Can portable Wi-Fi work in areas without cellular coverage?
Is the Pop-Up Network Kit fully assembled before shipping?
How long does it take to deploy portable Wi-Fi using PNK?
Is PNK suitable for government and enterprise use?
Where is the Pop-Up Network Kit manufactured?
Can PNK be customized for different portable Wi-Fi needs?
Talk to a PNK specialist.
A real RCN engineer reads your note, scopes the deployment, and gets back to you within one business day. We scope, not sell.
- One business day response, every time.
- Engineer-led scoping call. No SDR script.
- Configuration recommendation tied to your verticals and procurement path.
- No commitment. We tell you what fits, even if it's not us.
Tell us about the deployment.
A few fields. Two minutes. We do the rest.
What happens next: A specialist responds within 1 business day. No marketing follow-up sequence.