dslreports logo
 story category
AT&T Testing 15-25 Mbps Fixed Wireless Service

We'd seen hints of such a planned service for some time, but AT&T has now revealed more details of a fixed wireless LTE broadband service it says will deliver up to 25 Mbps to user homes. The company has confirmed it's testing fixed wireless local loop (WLL) technology in select areas of Alabama, Georgia, Kansas and Virginia, and is currently seeing speeds between 15 and 25 Mbps in those trials.

Click for full size
"Our innovative fixed wireless program that delivers broadband through the air using base stations and fixed antennae on customers' homes or buildings can be a way to deliver high quality, high-speed Internet access service to customers living in rural areas," the carrier told FierceWireless.

Pricing and usage caps will of course be the question everybody wants answered, but at the moment AT&T isn't at a point to discuss any more details about the looming project, which is likely to be offered alongside DirecTV satellite TV service.

"We are unable to discuss future plans at this time but are excited about bringing additional Internet connectivity options to rural areas," said AT&T.

Focused on largely rural areas, the technology uses a 20 MHz (10x10 MHz paired uplink and downlink) configuration, and will require the installation of a receiver at potential customer homes.

Most recommended from 43 comments


AmericanMan
Premium Member
join:2013-12-28
united state

1 edit

9 recommendations

AmericanMan

Premium Member

I'd rather have low speeds and high caps

Am I alone in actually being fine with lower speeds in exchange for high caps?

If this offered 5 Mbps down/1 Mbps up (with standard LTE or better ping times), but with a 250 - 300 GB cap, I'd be on board! That should be enough to let people stream Netflix & YouTube (in low quality), do Windows Updates, patch games, and even download smaller games without worrying about having to pay overages.

I'm interested in what they end up offering. We currently have DirecTV & AT&T Wireless ($130 for 30 GB/month). Only thing is, we're grandfathered in on our DirecTV plan so I don't want to do anything that would change that, so I hope there's a standalone option.

geek
Mad Scientist at Work
Premium Member
join:2002-01-07
Southbury, CT

7 recommendations

geek

Premium Member

Not Broadband

Someone needs to remind at&t that the definition of what the FCC considers 'broadband' has changed. At least 25Mbps down and 3Mbps up is the current definition. Don't call this broadband if that's not what is being delivered.
mist668
join:2011-02-15
Middleburg, PA

6 recommendations

mist668

Member

Well

Usually towers in remote areas are microwaved in from areas with faster back haul connections, so this may work if they can make that all work out. However the problem is going to be the same across the board.

Pay what we want with caps or go without.

MatthewW
join:2014-08-27
Beloit, OH
Zoom 5341J
Netgear WNDR3400

1 edit

6 recommendations

MatthewW

Member

Data Caps

All i want to know is if there will be data caps with this fixed wireless internet if so it will be a complete bust if they are low caps like 15GB. To be succesful they will need to be either unlimited data which isn't in AT&T's vocabulary or the standard U-Verse data caps of 250GB.
Moffetts
join:2005-05-09
San Mateo, CA

3 recommendations

Moffetts

Member

Homefusion

I'll be amazed if this is any different from Verizon's homefusion. In other words, this will be DOA.