We’ve been hearing a lot about fixed wireless applications for 5G, but AT&T is already using the technology to spread internet access to rural and underserved areas in Georgia.
The carrier on Monday announced the completion of its first wave rollout of fixed wireless internet in the southern U.S. state, and said it is working to bring fixed wireless access to 17 more states this year. Those states include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
AT&T’s service – dubbed AT&T Fixed Wireless Internet – offers customer speeds of at least 10 Mbps and 160 GB of internet usage per month via a professionally installed outdoor antenna. Additional data can be purchased in 50 GB increments for $10 each, up to a maximum of $200. WiFi is included in the service, as well as wired Ethernet connections for up to four devices. Fixed Wireless Internet data cannot be added to a Mobile Share plan, and Rollover Data is not included in the Fixed Wireless Internet plan.
“Access to the internet is an important tool for advancing opportunities in communities. It creates economic growth, helps increase community engagement, and makes education accessible,” AT&T’s SVP of Wireless and Wired Product Marketing Eric Boyer commented. “We’re committed to utilizing available technologies to connect hard-to-reach locations.”
AT&T said the rollout is part of its FCC Connect America Fund commitment to serve more than 400,000 locations by the end of this year. The carrier has also pledged to expand that figure to more than 1.1 million locations by 2020. AT&T indicated more than 67,000 locations will be served by fixed wireless in Georgia by 2020.
Filed Under: Infrastructure