Reliable internet has become a necessity on today's construction sites. From cloud-based project management platforms and safety documentation to real-time communication between teams, construction companies need dependable connectivity wherever work takes them.
For Northwest Steel Erection, a leading structural steel and precast erection contractor serving Iowa, Nebraska and surrounding areas since 1972, maintaining internet access across constantly changing job sites had become a growing challenge. By partnering with Connected Solutions Group (CSG), the company found a scalable solution that combines Verizon 5G Business Internet, Katalyst Spark 5G portable router, and CSG SureConnect to keep teams connected wherever projects take them.
Building the Midwest Since 1972
Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, with locations and divisions in Cedar Rapids and Omaha, Northwest Steel Erection, Inc has spent more than five decades helping build the region's skylines. The union-based company specializes in erecting structural steel and precast concrete systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional projects.
As the company continues expanding into new markets and constructing larger facilities, technology has become increasingly important to keeping projects on schedule and teams connected.
According to Derek Sedrel, Project Coordinator at Northwest Steel Erection, connectivity plays a critical role in both IT operations and job site collaboration.
"Our business is built on strong relationships with our partners and clients," says Sedrel. "To maintain those relationships and keep projects moving, we need reliable communication and access to information from every job site."
The Challenge: Reliable Internet for Remote Job Sites
Like many construction companies, Northwest Steel Erection frequently works at locations where traditional internet services are unavailable or impractical.
"We were having issues with remote job site connectivity," Sedrel explains. "It's been a bit of a battle at times to get connectivity out to large job sites, especially where there's a lot of traffic or increasing expectations from general contractors."
The company needed more than a simple mobile hotspot.
"It wasn't just your basic need of a phone hotspot," says Sedrel. "We needed something that could upload and download documents, provide Wi-Fi connectivity, and support multiple team members at once."
With project managers, safety personnel, foremen, and field teams all relying on digital tools, Northwest Steel Erection required a construction site internet solution capable of supporting an entire workforce.
The Solution: Verizon 5G and Katalyst Spark
To address these challenges, Northwest Steel Erection deployed Katalyst Spark 5G portable routers powered by Verizon 5G Business Internet to create portable, pop-up networks at job sites.
The solution provides fast, reliable internet access without requiring traditional wired infrastructure, making it ideal for temporary construction offices, job trailers, and remote project locations.
By leveraging Verizon's 5G network, crews can quickly establish connectivity for critical business applications, file sharing, video meetings, and cloud-based collaboration tools.
The result is a flexible solution that moves wherever the project goes.
Adding Resiliency with CSG SureConnect
While Verizon provides excellent coverage across much of the Midwest, every construction site presents unique connectivity challenges.
"When a router moves to different job sites, there's no guarantee that there will always be cellular coverage," Sedrel explains.
To ensure continuous connectivity, Northwest Steel Erection utilizes CSG SureConnect a smart SIM that is a multi-carrier data plan in the secondary SIM slot of its Katalyst Spark devices as a backup. If the primary connection goes down, SureConnect automatically switches to the best network available, helping crews maintain connectivity regardless of location.
"So not only are we using Verizon's connectivity, but we are using CSG's SureConnect as a backup," says Sedrel. "In cases where Verizon may not work—which has been few and far between for us—SureConnect has been a godsend for providing backup connectivity on remote sites."
This multi-carrier approach gives Northwest Steel Erection confidence that teams can remain connected even when conditions vary from one project location to the next.
Keeping Teams Connected and Projects Moving
Reliable internet impacts nearly every department within Northwest Steel Erection.
"We have several departments that are connecting together to make these jobs run smoothly," Sedrel says. "You're talking about our safety teams, project management, and foremen on site. These are departments that need to communicate and stay cohesive throughout a project."
Modern construction relies heavily on platforms such as Microsoft 365 and SharePoint to share documents, coordinate schedules, and maintain project visibility.
Without reliable Wi-Fi and cellular infrastructure, collaboration suffers.
"Our collaborative platforms aren't able to excel on a team level without the proper connectivity infrastructure," Sedrel explains. "A personal hotspot just isn't going to bring a team together in the same way."
By implementing Verizon 5G connectivity, Katalyst Spark hardware, and CSG SureConnect, Northwest Steel Erection has created an environment where field and office teams can work together seamlessly, regardless of project location.
Why Connected Solutions Group Stands Out
For Sedrel, the value of Connected Solutions Group extends beyond hardware and connectivity solutions.
"The main thing I reached out to Connor for is pretty much everything involving cellular connectivity," he says.
Equally important is the support that comes with the technology.
"A lot of tech is being sold these days with very lackluster support behind it," Sedrel explains. "That's where I look to CSG because you guys have a wonderful support staff, especially in comparison to some companies that claim they have good support but don't really follow up on it."
In addition to connectivity solutions, Northwest Steel Erection continues to work with CSG on mobile devices and field-ready technology that can withstand the demanding conditions of active construction sites.
Looking Ahead
As Northwest Steel Erection continues expanding throughout the Midwest, connectivity remains a key component of its growth strategy.
Future initiatives include exploring additional job trailer internet solutions and expanding connectivity options across project sites to support even greater collaboration and efficiency.
With Verizon 5G Business Internet, Katalyst Spark hardware, and CSG SureConnect, Northwest Steel Erection has built a reliable foundation for modern construction site connectivity—helping teams stay productive, connected, and focused on delivering exceptional projects.
Need Reliable Internet For Your Job Sites?
Whether you need temporary internet for a job trailer, backup connectivity for remote sites, or a complete wireless networking strategy, CSG can help you build a solution that works, learn more here: Internet Connectivity Solutions for Business | LTE & 5G | CSG – Connected Solutions Group
