The broadband industry's new mission is to expand high-quality broadband service to every corner of the United States, ensuring that every household, regardless of location or economic status, has access to broadband and can participate in the economic development of the 21st century. In fact, it amounts to the historic electrification of an entire country.

To achieve this important goal, the broadband industry needs to adopt a range of technology solutions. A one-size-fits-all approach will not work. Fixed wireless already plays an important role and will only grow over time.

Long-distance 5G mmWave FWA

As broadband operators evaluate their options, it is recommended to revisit 5G mmWave fixed wireless access (FWA). Operating in the 24-28 GHz band, the technology offers fiber-like speed and performance, and presents a significant opportunity for fixed and mobile operators to leverage FWA.

Originally conceived as a dense urban solution, 5G mmWave FWA has grown into a variety of applications, including rural ones. Innovations from Nokia have greatly increased its reach in the countryside. A new high-gain antenna has been introduced for the CPE, which can now extend the range of gigabit broadband to more than 6 kilometers (3.7 miles).

This new CPE is fully 3GPP compliant and can work with any 3GPP compliant radio or Radio Access Network (RAN). The CPE consists of an outdoor unit installed on the roof of the house and an indoor unit connected to an outdoor receiver at 2.5 Gbps power via an Ethernet connection.

Australian operator NBN recently adopted this new solution for a large-scale rural fixed wireless network upgrade. The solution will expand existing fixed wireless coverage by up to 50%, bringing fixed wireless service to approximately 120,000 previously satellite-only eligible locations for the first time.

With this solution, NBN will roll out new wholesale high-speed tiers - 100 Mbps and 250 Mbps - in ranges of up to 10km (6.2 miles).

Jason Ashton, executive general manager of NBN's fixed wireless and satellite business, said: "We are facing a phase change in rural and regional broadband demand, with data demand on our fixed wireless network estimated to grow by 300% over the next decade." Nokia's 5G mm The wave solution enables NBN to better utilize our sub-6 GHz and 5G mmWave spectrum allocations, greatly extending the range, speed and capacity of our existing fixed wireless network and improving the experience for end users.

More FWA innovations

Additional innovations in 5G mmWave FWA bands create more opportunities for operators. Nokia has developed 360-degree high-gain technology to provide very high mmWave antenna gain, cost efficiency and power efficiency.

This technology enables the CPE to capture the entire 360° environment around it, enabling the CPE to pick up any signal from any direction, utilizing the best available signal for optimal performance. This both improves potential performance by reducing obstructions and simplifies installation. The 360° self-alignment feature ensures optimal signal reception in line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (LOS) conditions, regardless of signal obstruction, attenuation, or diffraction.

As operators evaluate a comprehensive broadband access strategy, such technology developments should prompt them to include 5G mmWave FWA as part of that strategy. No longer limited to dense urban applications, 5G mmWave FWA can now serve semi-rural, regional and more remote areas in many markets