AT&T eyes WiMAX for rural broadband expansion
AT&T CTO John Donovan said last week in an interview with USA Today that the telco is interested in using WiMAX to extend broadband coverage in rural markets where it would be more expensive to deploy wireline broadband. It may not seem like huge news, given that AT&T has run WiMAX pilots in the past, and always has maintained an interest in the technology.
Also, AT&T gained several 2.3 Ghz licenses in Southern U.S. markets through its acquisition of BellSouth. BellSouth had aggressively commercialized on broadband wireless in those markets and had been an active supporter of WiMAX Forum certification for the 2.3 Ghz frequency. AT&T also would have 700 Mhz spectrum at its disposal for a broader WiMAX rollout.
AT&T's interest means there is another major U.S. carrier besides the new Sprint-led Clearwire joint venture that could be ready to exploit the technology. AT&T actually has been looking to block that venture, urging the Federal Communications Commission to closely scrutinize the spectrum assets involved in the deal.
For more:
- check out this interview at USA Today
- see this story at Light Reading's Unstrung
Related articles:
AT&T last month asked the FCC to deny the Sprint-Clearwire plan. AT&T report
Comcast lats month showed interest in WiMAX. Comcast report
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Comments
Posted by Jim A | August 5, 2008 - 8:31am
COnsider the following:
1. AT&T has a solid HSDPA network being installed nationwide and is about to venture further into that area with a potential HSPA+ upgrade (Big $$$$) as well in the next few years. This service (Plus Clearwire) and its capabilities is causing Verizon Wireless to escalate its drive to get their 700MHz LTE network deployed in order to stay competitive. This new LTE network is projected to be deployed in the 2010 time frame and will cause AT&T problems if it does not have a competitive solution.
AT&T has announced that it will eventually deliver a LTE based network sometime in the next 3-5 years.
Clearwire/Sprint is in the process of deploying the first phase of a potential 4G network which should be deployed in major markets by end of 2010 and will cause both Carriers major problems.
It makes a great deal of sense for AT&T to consider using some of its 700Mhz spectrum nationwide to deploy both a Fixed and mobile WiMAX Network Data Centric (IP Data/Video) network in parallel with its HSDPA Cell Voice network. With the introduction of a Tri-Mode Handheld Device (700MHz,HSDPA & WiFi 802.11n capable radios) they will have the best of both worlds allowing customers to ride on both WAN & WLAN networks and allow AT&T to redirect its spectrum on the HSDPA network to focus more on delivering high quality voice services while shifting most high bandwidth traffic (Video/Data)to a symmetrical low latency wireless network.
This will also allow them to begin addressing the FMC Enterprise market where the commercial $$$ reside.
Jim A
