In an article I authored on January 8, 2023, titled “2023: The Year Fixed Wireless Became the ‘New’ Fiber?” I explored the burgeoning potential of fixed wireless technology. As forecasted, 2023 witnessed this technology coming to fruition. Fiber optics, known for its near limitless bandwidth, faces significant challenges in rural deployment due to its high cost and logistical difficulties. In contrast, fixed wireless has emerged as a viable contender, offering broadband services on par with fiber and cable in frequency bands that support 10 MHz or larger channel sizes. At 40 MHz and above, fixed wireless is capable of delivering near-gigabit or full gigabit services.
For the majority of users, the primary need is for a dependable, low-latency broadband connection that supports daily online activities without interruption. Speeds beyond 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload often surpass the needs of average users. The key is providing consistent service, enabling smooth streaming and application functionality. This demands strategic capacity and load management in the design and operation of fiber, cable, or wireless systems.
Rural regions, often marked by scattered small populations, tend to be neglected in grant and loan programs focused on tax-supported fiber and 100×100 symmetric speeds. This bias towards fiber and symmetric speeds pushes these less populated areas down the priority list in infrastructure planning. Access to effective broadband should not be hindered by geographical choices, especially in times when remote connectivity is critical due to potential lockdowns and pandemics.
Fixed wireless technology now presents an efficient and economical solution for delivering reliable broadband in rural areas. Covering entire counties is possible at a fraction of the cost and time required for fiber projects. While fiber installations in sparsely populated areas might take a decade or more, fixed wireless infrastructure can be deployed within months for parts of a county, and in under two years for most counties. This speed is vital given that funding is often scarce and bureaucratic processes can be time-consuming and inefficient.
The notion that high-quality internet access is a basic right is gaining support. If this is indeed the case, relying solely on fiber, to the exclusion of other technologies, is not the most effective strategy. Fixed wireless, capable of gigabit speeds, is available now, offering rural communities a timely solution, freeing them from the lengthy wait associated with fiber rollouts. This technology provides a more inclusive and pragmatic method for closing the digital divide in rural areas immediately, rather than in a decade or more.
