Charter says the company might explore offering fixed wireless broadband service (where an antenna is attached to your roof) as the company considers jumping into the wireless market. The company's plans to get into wireless with a WiFi heavy service like Comcast's is no secret, but in a new blog post the company hints that it also sees potential in offering a fixed-wireless service, which could bring it into more direct competition with incumbent wireless providers like AT&T and Verizon.
The FCC is currently contemplating licensing rules for the 3.5 GHz CBRS band that would dole out spectrum licenses on a much smaller geographic basis and shorter timespan than cellular carriers typically use. Companies like AT&T and Verizon have fought these proposals, in part, because of the potential for competitive disruption.
Charter has been at the forefront of pushing for rules that adopt "county"-sized geographic licensing of 3.5 GHz spectrum, and in its new post again hints that fixed wireless may be a great way to bring broadband to more rural markets (something Verizon and AT&T do agree on).
"Current 5G technologies are not able to cover the long distances required to deliver broadband in many rural areas -- particularly in places with a lot of trees and foliage," argues the cable giant. "And “small cell” networks may not ever make sense in rural areas given the relatively low population density there. However, Charter believes fixed wireless access technologies at lower frequencies could be suitable for rural broadband, providing wireline-like broadband connectivity and speeds, and is conducting trials in the 3.5 GHz band."
It's obviously too early to know what a Charter fixed wireless product might look like, but when it comes to rural broadband, any additional options are certainly welcome.