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AT&T May Expand Rural WiMax Use
A few southern states sometime this year...
While LTE (Long Term Evolution), is AT&T's next-generation wireless broadband flavor of choice, they've been tinkering with WiMax as a rural DSL alternative in parts of Alaska (using 2.3 GHz equipment from Alvarion). AT&T CTO John Donovan tells USAToday that the company may be expanding WiMax as a rural delivery option. Unstrung had previously reported that AT&T could be deploying WiMax in a few southern states sometime this year. Through their Alascom subsidiary, AT&T offers symmetrical 1Mbps service for $19.95 a month to some rural users.
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halfband
Premium Member
join:2002-06-01
Huntsville, AL

halfband

Premium Member

WiMax Point To Point

Wasn't WiMax (not to be confused with Mobile WiMax) originally intended as a point to point or last mile solution. Looks like a good fit for very rural areas.

wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY

wifi4milez

Member

Re: WiMax Point To Point

said by halfband:

Wasn't WiMax (not to be confused with Mobile WiMax) originally intended as a point to point or last mile solution. Looks like a good fit for very rural areas.
All Wimax services are based on the 802.16 standard, and can be used for any application. Mobile Wimax (802.16e) simply uses different radios, but its essentially the same as fixed Wimax. In the case described in this article, ATT is using the service as a last mile replacement coupled with IP access. It would be impossible (very expensive) to wire these rural areas for DSL, so Wimax works well in this situation. Given that its meant as a DSL replacement, a fixed Wimax application is more than adequate.
decifal7
join:2007-03-10
Bon Aqua, TN

decifal7

Member

Wheres the info?

Where can we find information out on the availablity of this? Hell, maybe this is what ATT plans to do in my area instead of rolling out DSL.. I'm not rural, but still haven't been upgraded.. So hell, this will at least suffice..

ansar
Search for HighSpeed
join:2004-12-10
Utica, MS

ansar

Member

Where do I sign up? :)

Where do I sign up? I would gladly test this in rural Mississippi if they want.
aeblank
join:2004-09-07
Cadillac, MI

aeblank

Member

I want it too

I'll test Michigan.
40k feet from DSL, 10k feet from cable.

Jacomo45
@sccoast.net

Jacomo45

Anon

AT&T Options

AT&T is in an excellent position.
It has the best Cell (Voice centric) network in place today with some of the best Data services with its new HSDPA network. This network will get better as AT&T upgrades to the new HSPA+ technology in the next few years, effectively sidelining Verizon Wireless lame EVDO networks.
They (AT&T) have both 700Mhz spectrum and a major piece of the AWS (1700MHz and 2100MHz) spectrum nationwide that they can use at anytime for a WiMAX Data Centric (IP Data/Video/Voice) network providing Fixed/Portable and Mobile services (using 801.16e).
Makes sense for them to begin deploying a WiMAX based Wireless Network focusing on IP based Data/Video services in parallel (and complementary)to their existing HSDPA Voice Centric network. By offering Tri- Band Handheld devices (700MHz WiMAX, HSDPA and 802.11n Radios)to the market they will allow subscribers to access either their Voice or Data centric networks in the WAN and WiFi in HotSpots and Enterprise WLAN (FMC anyone??). This new WiMAX 700MHz network will allow AT&T to free up much of their scarce GSM spectrum to focus on its real revenue Voice, while allowing those subscribers seeking high quality, low latency symmetrical data/video links to focus on the new 700MHz WiMAX networks that are designed for these services.

I doubt that AT&T is serious about deploying a 2.3Ghz service in just the SE. I expect they are merely using the spectrum to test what WiMAX can do with a marginal value spectrum. 2.3GHz spectrum is not a very good solution for Rural markets where foliage will be a serious problem and PTP links are not always available. Clearwire will need to addresses this as well and eventually have to move off the 2.5Ghz spectrum if they are to compete with future LTE networks nationwide-maybe using their partners (MSO) AWS Spectrum once the WiMAX forum approves FDD systems

Will be interesting to watch what happens with the 20MHz of AWS Spectrum in the hands of AT&T, MSO as well as the major players in Canada (recent auction). The spectrum requires a FDD type technology to work effectively but would be an excellent spectrum for a FDD based WiMAX product.

Jim A.
Service Provider