5G & Fixed Wireless
It is now clear that the next technological evolution in wireless connectivity is 5G. Most people believe that 5G is an extension of LTE. While this may be the case, the earliest use of 5G connections might not be in mobile devices. Instead, there will be wireless applications, which means that in the meantime, use of cable technology will prevail.
What exactly is Fixed Wireless?
In a layman’s language, this is a fixed wireless access (FWA) point sending data signals to a fixed wireless subscriber. As opposed to a fiber connection that offers point to point connection through cable, this provides faster connection minus the cable, therefore, it should ultimately be cheaper.
This is probably the reason why more and more companies are jumping ship from offering fiber connections to wireless connections. FWA’s next stage will be the implementation of 5G network technology such as the high-frequency mmWave and beam-forming to boost performance. According to a report from Market Insights, the 5G FWA market is anticipated to could be worth more than $40 billion, and will have grown up to about 84% between 2015 and 2019.
How will FWA for 5G be achieved?
Telecom giants such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and many others are on the forefront in offering fixed wireless access. Verizon initially plans to launch this service in California and later to the other parts of the US. They intend to cover a minimum of 30 million households. Other firms such as Charter and AT&T are also competing to carry out FWA tests. This service is not limited to the USA. Arqiva, Elisa, and Orange are also carrying out fixed wireless 5G trials while Australia’s Optus is planning to launch the fixed wireless service in the course of 2019.
Fiber will still be useful, but telecoms cannot run it in every residence. Instead, FWA will be brought to homes through various open spectrums, such as 3.5GHz or 28GHz depending on the distance from the BTS and the location. This is not an entirely new concept, as it has been done before through microwave technology. MIMO antennas, multipoint radios, and other systems are all helping this cause.
Why is fixed wireless access for 5G a big deal?
One of the major advantages of FWA is that it has enabled the quick and cheap broadband connectivity even in localities that do not have the necessary infrastructure for immediate connectivity. In addition to this, its installation does not require a difficult installation process from the client’s end. Easy to install Customer Premise Equipment which the subscriber can set up in many cases. Market Insights also points out that fixed wireless connections will cut the costs of establishing ‘last-mile’ connectivity by a whopping 40% in comparison to fiber connections. This will have a huge impact especially in undeveloped countries where there are huge disparities in urban and rural areas when it comes to broadband accessibility.
The major impact fixed wireless networks is about performance. Trials show that the current download speeds range from 1 to 25Gbps. FWA needs not replace fixed broadband connections but can be provided as competition for areas with higher populations. Higher competition brings a win to the consumer, with lower prices and improved customer services.
Gilbert A Darrell is the Founder of Horizon. He has 18 years experience in information technology and telecom solutions, a veteran in Fire and EMS Services, a crypto enthusiast and a member of the Bermuda Government’s Cryptocurrency Task Force.
Horizon Communications is an upcoming fixed wireless internet and cellular service provider looking to provide services in Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Central America before expanding internationally.
While utilizing 4th generation and soon 5th generation wireless technology, it will also heavily incorporate blockchain and cryptocurrency technology, one of the 1st ISP’s in the world to do so and the 1st to tokenize their services using an Initial Coin Offering (ICO).
More information can be found on their website — www.HorizonComm.co
