FIXED WIRELESS ACCESS

FIIXED WIIRELESS ACCESS
Fixed wireless access technology provides a wireless link to
the public switched telephone network (PSTN) as an alternative
to traditional wire-based local telephone service. Since
calls and other information (e.g., data, images) are transmitted
through the air rather than through conventional cables
and wires, the cost of providing and maintaining telephone
poles and cables is avoided. Unlike cellular technologies,
which provide services to mobile users, fixed wireless services
require a rooftop antenna to an office building or home
that is lined up with a service provider’s hub antenna.
Fixed wireless access systems come in two varieties: narrowband
and broadband. Anarrowband fixed wireless access
service can provide bandwidth up to 128 kbps, which can
support one voice conversation and a data session such as
Internet access or fax transmission. Abroadband fixed wireless
access service can provide bandwidth in the multimegabit-
per-second range, which is enough to support
telephone calls, television programming, and broadband
Internet access.
Anarrowband fixed wireless service requires a wireless
access unit that is installed on the exterior of a home or business
(Figure F-3) to allow customers to originate and receive
calls with no change to their existing analog telephones  This transceiver is positioned to provide an unobstructed
view to the nearest base station receiver. Voice and data calls
are transmitted from the transceiver at the customer’s location
to the base station equipment, which relays the call
through the carrier’s existing network facilities to the appropriate
destination. No investment in special phones or facsimile
machines is required; customers use all their existing
equipment.
Narrowband fixed wireless systems use the licensed 3.5-
GHz radio band with 100-MHz spacing between uplink and
downlink frequencies. Subscribers receive network access
over a radio link within a range of 200 meters (600 feet) to
40 kilometers (25 miles) of the carrier’s hub antenna. About
2000 subscribers can be supported per cell site.
Broadband fixed wireless access systems are based on
microwave technology. Multichannel Multipoint Distribution
Service (MMDS) operates in the licensed 2- to 3-GHz frequency
range, while Local Multipoint Distribution Service
(LMDS) operates in the licensed 28- to 31-GHz frequency
range. Both services are used by Competitive Local Exchange
Figure F-3 Fixed wireless access configuration.
Existing
Inside
Wiring
Fax
Internet
Access 128 Kbps
Neighborhood
Antenna
Fiber Link
Switching
Center
PSTN
Internet
Customer
Radio
FRAUD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 105
Carriers (CLECs) primarily to offer broadband Internet
access. These technologies are used to bring data traffic to
the fiberoptic networks of Interexchange Carriers (IXCs)
and nationwide CLECs, bypassing the local loops of the
Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs).
Summary
Fixed wireless access technology originated out of the need to
contain carriers’ operating costs in rural areas, where pole and
cable installation and maintenance are more expensive than
in urban and suburban areas. However, wireless access technology
also can be used in urban areas to bypass the local
exchange carrier for long-distance calls. Since the IXC or
CLEC avoids having to pay the ILEC’s local loop interconnection
charges, the savings can be passed back to the customer.
This arrangement is also referred to as a “wireless local loop.”