AT&T said Minneapolis trial uses point-to-point millimeter wave wireless to provide speeds up to 100 Mbps, DirecTV could also be part of package
AT&T looks to be the latest telecom operator attempting to add a wireless component to broadband capabilities in an effort to ease deployment models.
The operator said it has begun trialing a point-to-point millimeter wave wireless technology to beam connectivity from a fiber-fed central location to apartment and multifamily properties, where consumers can then tap into that connection for broadband and television services. More importantly for the carrier, the trial is taking place in Minneapolis, which is outside its traditional 21-state wireline service area.
AT&T said the trial is looking to deliver broadband speeds of up to 100 megabits per second to individual apartment units, with plans to speed up connections to as high as 500 Mbps. The in-building connectivity is said to run over existing infrastructure in support of deployments “at a fraction of the time and cost typically associated with making service available.”
In addition to broadband, AT&T said it’s also looking to tap into its DirecTV platform to stream video signals to a single receiving satellite dish, with content then shared throughout an apartment complex. This is said to eliminate the need for each individual apartment to have a separate satellite receiver.
“Fixed wireless millimeter wave technology gives us the ability to make ultra-fast internet speeds available to additional locations in less time and with less disruption,” AT&T noted. “This is particularly true in apartment and multifamily communities.”
The carrier said it is looking at possibly expanding the trial to Boston, Denver, New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
AT&T previously stated plans to use millimeter wave spectrum in trialing fixed wireless broadband connectivity across “5G” network technologies. Earlier this year the company filed paperwork with the Federal Communications Commission seeking an experimental license to conduct technology trials using spectrum in the 3.4-3.6 GHz, 3.7-4.2 GHz, 14.5-15.35 GHz and 27.5-28.5 GHz bands. In recent tests the carrier has seen network speeds in excess of 10 gigabits per second.
Verizon Communications is moving on similar trials, where it has used its already deployed fiber assets to power fixed wireless terminals designed to deliver broadband connectivity from a central location to multiple end points. The carrier said it has conducted tests in New Jersey showing fixed wireless speeds of up to 1.8 gigabits per second using a point-to-multipoint solution, with equipment transmitting in the 28 GHz spectrum band.
Verizon President and CEO Lowell McAdam recently told investment analysts the move is expected to provide a compelling broadband experience for customers at an attractive price point for the telecom operator.
“I think of 5G initially as, in effect, wireless fiber, which is wireless technology that can provide an enhanced broadband experience that could only previously be delivered with physical fiber to the customer,” McAdam said. “With wireless fiber the so-called last mile can be a virtual connection, dramatically changing our cost structure.”
Verizon is now moving trials into a “field environment,” where it’s looking to cover a typical 200-home development. That work is looking to test performance from sites at a distance of up to 1,000 meters. In terms of cost, McAdam said the carrier is looking at models showing deployments at roughly half the cost of current fiber-based Fios deployments to the home.
Google earlier this week reiterated plans to look at hybrid approaches to deliver broadband services as part of the closing on its acquisition of fixed wireless broadband provider Webpass.
“Of course, at Google Fiber we’re particularly excited about Webpass’ application of point-to-point wireless deployment methodology,” wrote Google Fiber President Dennis Kish in a blog post. “As we’ve said, our strategy going forward will be a hybrid approach with wireless playing an integral part. Webpass has proven that point-to-point wireless is a reliable way to connect more people to high-speed internet in a densely populated environment, by setting up wireless transmission links between buildings.”
Google’s fiber efforts, which are currently available in eight markets, have reportedly run into deployment challenges that have moved the company toward seeking alternative options.
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