Team XpaNet
University of Southern Mississippi
Improving Cellular Communication at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
The Team
Jasmine Kelley
• PhD in Business Management at Auburn University
• BA in Economics (Emphasis in Mathematics) and BSBA in Management from University of Southern Mississippi
Jacob Smith
• Former Intern at USM Center for Economic and Entrepreneurship Education
• MS in Information Systems (Cybersecurity) Candidate at Georgia State University
• BS of Business Administration at University of Southern Mississippi
Lacie Borel
• Member of the USM Forensic Science Society
• BA in Legal Studies Candidate at University of Southern Mississippi
Problem Sponsor
Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center
Original Problem Statement
Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center constantly battles with connectivity. Due to the high volume of use, cellular networks are often overloaded and incapacitated. Service members need reliable internet connectivity in order to consistently perform their duties and responsibilities.
Beneficiary Discovery Interviews
110
The Innovation
Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Hattiesburg, MS is the largest Military Reserve component training site in the nation. The base often experiences an influx of personnel which leads to overloading the cellular network and constant battles with connectivity. Soldiers undergoing field training at Camp Shelby need strong, stable cellular network coverage to effectively communicate with individuals on and off base.
Hacking for Defense Team XpaNet was tasked with improving the spotty and unreliable cellular network coverage at Camp Shelby. Initially, the team researched who the beneficiaries and potential partners were. Not only did the team reach out to personnel on Camp Shelby, they also contacted other actors that could support the development of their MVP. These contacts included organizations on base, residents in the surrounding Hattiesburg area and network providers.
After speaking with these beneficiaries, the team created a decision matrix to help inform the decision making process for Camp Shelby personnel on how to best improve cellular connectivity on Camp Shelby. The team narrowed their options down to 5G, COWs, COLTs, and additional hardware.
Decision-Making Matrix
With the decision matrix, the team ultimately concluded that the best option for the base to improve cellular connectivity is to wait for the expansion of 5G. Though this option received low scores for availability and certainty, it received the highest possible scores for range, price and stability.
Team XpaNet’s innovation is based on the methodology they used to evaluate the different options they identified that would help the base address their issue. The team considered all options that would solve this issue and connected the beneficiaries with the right people. The team connected personnel at Camp Shelby with service providers that can provide the base with 5G connectivity as it continues to be developed.
The team’s problem sponsors were very happy with the innovations and connections that the team established in just one semester. He stated he was “Very proud of you guys (Team XpaNet) , you knocked it out of the park!” While the team currently does not have plans to continue their project beyond the end of the semester, they are open to serving as a resource for Camp Shelby as they continue to improve their cellular infrastructure.
Jacob Smith visiting Camp Shelby
Presentation
Team XpaNet’s Hacking for Defense Experience
H4D is Unlike Any College Course They Had Taken Before
A key component of the Hacking for Defense experience that Team XpaNet highlighted was how different it is from other college courses. Jasmine Kelley stated: “I really enjoyed the openness of the course... it surprised me. We don’t just sit in a classroom and we are able to discuss ideas freely.” With the flipped classroom model of Hacking for Defense, students are encouraged and expected to come to class with their ideas and discoveries from the previous week.
The team also highlighted how supportive the Hacking for Defense teaching team was. Lacie Borel was “surprised by how helpful professors were. They really want to help you. The professors would try to push you in the right way with very open and honest feedback.” Though a challenge initially, it was helpful to hear direct feedback from professors in order to build the best MVP as possible. Lacie also shared that “The professors treated us more like peers rather than students” furthering the emphasis on a flipped classroom.
Jacob Smith highlighted how the methodology of the course supported their conclusion: “The Mission Model Canvas is a great way to trim away the fat of things that don’t matter. Without it we wouldn’t have reached the conclusion we did.”
Clarifying Future Career Paths
Not only did this course deviate from the normal college course, it also gave students a better insight into what they would like to do in the future.
Lacie Borel, a freshman during the course, believes this course put her ahead in her college career: “This course really put me forward, it taught me more in one semester than some learn in their time in college!”
For many students, this course is the first in-depth engagement with the military or with the federal government. As a Criminal Justice major, this course helped solidify her interest in working in government. “This course helped me realize this is what I want to do in my future. This solidified my interest in helping the government and the public.”
Lacie Borel visiting Camp Shelby