UScellular (NYSE: USM) reports that it has officially surpassed 100,000 Home Internet customers and is planning for substantial growth in the next several years.
Fixed wireless access technology advancements have enabled the growth of UScellular’s Home Internet product and its ability to provide high-speed, reliable broadband connections to homes and small businesses. Unlike facilities-based FWA, UScellular’s carrier-based FWA shares spectrum with mobility services. The customer receives a wireless broadband connection from a nearby cell tower as opposed to a wired connection via fiber or cable. At the end of 1Q23, UScellular served 4.7 million postpaid and prepaid mobility subscribers from 6,950 cell sites across its 23-state operating area.
“Three or four years ago, few people predicted the popularity of fixed wireless for in-building internet, but we knew rural areas in particular would see great benefit from having this type of connectivity solution,” said Eric Jagher, UScellular SVP and CMO. “We continue to enhance our Home Internet experience for customers, and the growth and positive response we’ve received to this service has us excited for the future. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to further updating the service so we can soon surpass hundreds of thousands of Home Internet customers.”
As UScellular continues to build out its 5G network, the company says that more customers will have access to Home Internet’s high-speed connectivity. Earlier this year, the company launched its mid-band 5G network using 3.45 GHz spectrum in parts of 10 states. It expects to cover one million households by the end of 2023, and three million households by the end of 2024. Ericsson and Nokia are UScellular’s wireless equipment suppliers.
UScellular initially offered Home Internet on its 4G LTE network. The company has upgraded the service with low-band, mid-band and mmW 5G in select markets across the country. For $50 a month (with autopay and paperless billing), the company’s Unlimited Even Better plan provides customers with access to mid-band and mmW 5G at download speeds of up to 300 Mbps. The company points out that speeds may vary depending on the customer location and network congestion. Nonetheless, UScellular says that the higher speed FWA offering has led to a doubling of the customer base over the last 18 months.
The company currently offers self-install, plug-and-play internal antennas and routers, and a professionally installed external antenna in certain areas. Later this year, the company expects to have additional customer self-install options along with a free Internet Setup Coach for all new customers.
UScellular plans to further enhance and expand its Home Internet service especially in rural areas with funding from the NTIA’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program. The company believes that FWA technology will likely be the best and most affordable option in many under-served and unserved areas to help bridge the digital divide.
By John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor
Reader Interactions