Sprint Tests New Wireless Broadband Technologies

Sprint

The telecommunications service provider said this week it is testing two second-generation wireless broadband, or fixed wireless, technologies. Last year the company froze its wireless broadband services based on first-generation technology, opting to wait until more mature products were available.

This time around products from IPWireless, San Bruno, Calif., and Navini Networks, Richardson, Texas, are in the running, according to Sprint executives. Both companies developed wireless broadband technologies that can be used in the Microwave Multipoint Distribution System (MMDS) spectrum at 2.5GHz to 2.7GHz. Each company also promotes its technology as non-line-of-site, meaning signals can pass through trees, walls and other obstructions,and providing a self-install capability.

Sprint executives said these features were particularly important for the success of second-generation wireless broadband technologies. The first-generation line-of-sight products often were blocked by trees or buildings. Sprint also had to send out an installer to put an antenna on the end user's roof and set up the receiver.

Since modems from IPWireless and Navini networks can receive signals through walls, no special installation is necessary, according to the companies. The end user plugs in a modem through a USB port and uses software to do a self-install, the companies said.

id
unit-1659132512259
type
Sponsored post

"Sprint is exploring non-line-of-sight solutions that combine high data speeds, portability and self-installation with an affordable, scalable deployment model," Cameron Rejali, vice president of broadband wireless productions and operations at Sprint, said in a statement.

The trial with IPWireless is being conducted in Montreal in collaboration with Inukshuck Internet, Sprint said. IPWireless developed its technology around CDMA Wideband, making it portable as well. Users can send and receive data at about 3 Mbps for fixed and mobile wireless sessions, said Jon Hambridge, senior director of marketing at IPWireless.

Technology from Navini Networks is being tested in Houston. Navini provides technology that can support data transfers up to 9.6 Mbps exclusively for fixed wireless services.