Several companies have come together to provide 5G fixed wireless access to rural areas. Sound Broadband is working in partnership with Western New Mexico (WNM) Communications, using Ericsson’s 5G equipment through Xtreme Enterprises. Through the collaboration, the companies aim to provide broadband services in rural areas of New Mexico, California, and Oregon.
The announcement came on the heels of Xtreme Enterprise’s first successful commercial trial in the U.S. achieving near gigabit internet speeds over Fixed Wireless Access using a single CPE in mid-band spectrum.
Sound Broadband brings the spectrum to the alliance as the subsidiary of LICT Corporation (OTC Pink®: LICT), a New York-based firm that owns 177 spectrum licenses across 103 counties. It won in various FCC auctions. Most recently, it won 24 licenses in the 3.5 GHz band in Auction 110. Before that, in Auction 102, it acquired 47 licenses of 24 GHz spectrum in California, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. In Auction 101, LICT acquired 10 licenses of 28 GHz spectrum in Kansas and Nevada.
In October of last year, LICT announced plans to launch a separate wireless company, which would be named Sound Broadband, to provide 5G wireless services to businesses and residential customers within the LICT spectrum footprint and additional markets. Dylan Larmore was named to lead Sound Broadband. Sound Broadband will operate in nine states through its partners, WNMC, JBN/Giant, Haviland, Cal-Ore, CentraCom, CS Technologies, Central Scott Telephone, Michigan Broadband Services, and Bretton Woods Telephone Company.
WNM Communications is a telecommunications company, which provides phone service and internet service to much of south western New Mexico. “WNMC is aggressively looking to enhance connectivity and broadband services in the rural and ultra-rural areas of New Mexico that we serve today,” said Daniel Meszler, President of Western New Mexico Communications.
In 2019, Xtreme Enterprises agreed to distribute, integrate and maintain Ericsson’s equipment and services nationwide, primarily focused on assisting the fixed wireless industry, including rural operators, small utilities, and private networks.
David Tews, President of Xtreme Enterprises, commented, “Xtreme and Ericsson have the ability and are ready to deliver the long-needed speed and reliability to WISPs who serve rural America.”
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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