For Immediate Release
Contact: Hillary Crowder, 703-351-2086, [email protected]
Review explores benefits and limitations of wireless technologies in meeting rural consumers’
broadband needs in short and long term
Phoenix, Ariz. (March 10, 2015)—Wireless technologies are a complement to wireline broadband technologies rather than a replacement for them, according to a technical report issued today by telecommunications engineering and consulting firm Vantage Point Solutions at NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association’s Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & EXPO in Phoenix, Ariz.
The study, “Wireless Broadband Not a Viable Substitute for Wireline Broadband,” was filed today with the FCC by NTCA, the premier national association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies. The report reviews terrestrial wireless technologies’ ability to deliver current and future broadband services. Vantage Point studied various broadband delivery networks and the characteristics of a high‐quality broadband connection and found that there are several factors, including lack of spectrum, weather and terrain, which limit a wireless network’s broadband quality but do not affect wireline broadband networks.
Among the report’s key findings are:
- Spectrum: Spectrum is a limited resource and expensive for a wireless carrier to secure. The limited amount of available spectrum can significantly constrain broadband speed. When additional spectrum is not available, a broadband provider must add towers to increase capacity, which increases deployment cost and only underscores the ultimate dependence of wireless services on wireline technologies.
- Speed: An important determinant of connection speed is the proximity of the customer to the tower. In rural areas, customers may live longer distances from the closest tower, which frequently are spaced 10 to 20 miles apart. At this distance, service may be extremely slow or nonexistent.
- Environmental impacts: Mountains, hills, buildings and trees can interfere with a wireless signal. Rain, fog or snow can also reduce broadband speeds and even cause network outages. All of these factors are common in rural areas.
“While wireless networks are needed for low bit rate mobile applications, such as voice, email and small screen video, wireline networks are required to meet customers’ high-speed, fixed broadband needs,” said Larry Thompson, P.E., Vantage Point Solutions’ chief executive officer and the report’s chief author. “Even fixed wireless solutions that offer near-term promise for reaching consumers face the prospect of being unable to keep up with consumer demand over the longer term. With the rapid increases in broadband demand, it is important and most efficient to invest in networks and technologies that can not only deliver the broadband required today, but also deliver the broadband of tomorrow without major upgrade expenditures.”
The full text of the white paper is available here.
About NTCA
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and marketplace competition, NTCA’s members are leading the IP evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security and smart energy use. Visit us at www.ntca.org.
About Vantage Point Solutions
Vantage Point Solutions (VPS) is a leading telecommunications engineering and consulting company providing services to more than 300 companies across the United States. VPS offers a comprehensive line of services, blending technology, regulatory expertise and financial advice into one attractive package. In addition to a full line of professional engineering services, including both wireless and wireline engineering, VPS provides a full range of financial and regulatory services. VPS has helped hundreds of telecommunication companies be successful in today’s rapidly changing technical and regulatory environment and led them in their transition from legacy TDM networks to broadband IP networks. Visit us at www.vantagepnt.com.