Effectiveness of mmWave Technology as Cable Replacement Questioned

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During Light Reading’s recent Big Communications Event, panels discussed a topic very relevant to the wireless industry today—the usage of fixed wireless 5G technology and mmWaves in delivering services to consumers. In particular, panelists discussed the pros, cons and challenges of 5G as a replacement to fixed cable, reports lightreading.com.

For years, ISPs have been using high-band millimeter waves to deliver internet service to consumers over unlicensed and millimeter wave spectrum, with very high download speeds. Recent discussions regarding the standard of 5G technology have begun to include talk of using this same frequency range.  

Some operators are hoping to use fixed 5G as an alternative to deliver cable, as it could be much cheaper to deliver TV service over the air rather than install hundreds of miles of cable underground. But questions were raised during the panel discussion around the reliability and user-friendliness of such technology.

Kevin Linehan, a VP of the office of the CTO at antenna provider CommScope Inc., said that such technology could absolutely be user friendly and compared it to satellite TV. “Just think of what they do for DirecTV now. Users can choose professional installation or install the wireless TV receiver themselves,” Linehan said during the panel discussion.

Major players in the industry have expressed interest in delivering fixed wireless 5G to consumers, like Verizon and AT&T. So too, have international players, like BT Group and Cambridge Broadband Networks.

May 25, 2017      

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