Why Cable Companies May Soon Begin to Bet on Fixed Wireless Technology

BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: A lot of jargon in here, but the key message is that there are some real advantages for fixed wireless technology (“FWA,” in the jargon of the piece) as opposed to networks built primarily for mobile uses. Cable companies can use fixed wireless to deliver broadband services to residential markets already served (by someone else) and to industrial and business parks. And these networks will be crucial to the coming small-cell networks

The 5G small cell opportunity for cable MSOs, by Kelly Hill of RCRWireless:

Network infrastructure to support 5G roll-outs is a significant opportunity for cable companies, Dave Morley, director of 5G & Regulatory for Shaw Communications’ Freedom Mobile, said during a recent panel presentation.

Morley delved into the Canadian company’s approach to small cell deployments in both a 4G and 5G context. Fixed wireless access, Morley wrote in a technical paper on which his presentation was based, is a double-edged sword for the cable industry.

“FWA is an alternative to wired broadband services and represents a potential threat to traditional wireline providers including MSOs,” Morley wrote. “At the same time, FWA also provides MSOs with the opportunity to deliver broadband services in “brown-field” areas that are not currently served by the operator such as new residential markets and industrial/business parks. FWA can also be used to provide critical small cell backhaul in areas without existing wireline infrastructure.” He went on to add that “with access rights to millions of public Wi-Fi hotspots, often in prime ‘beach front’ properties, the cable industry is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this opportunity, either as a wireless player or a wholesale provider to existing MNOs.”

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Source: The 5G small cell opportunity for cable MSOs – RCR Wireless News