• September 27, 2019

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CBRS Alliance recently held an event celebrating the beginning phases of commercial deployments for Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS). Spencer Kurn, an analyst from New Street Research who attended the event shared the three specific use cases that will be the focus for the spectrum.

1. Wireless Capacity Deployments over Small Cells

The first use case shared by Kurn is wireless capacity deployments over small cells in highly populated urban markets. This is likely to result in the largest impact on the wireless market.

2. Fixed Wireless Broadband for Rural Markets

The second use case identified for CBRS is fixed wireless broadband (FWB) deployments targeted for rural markets. Due to their spectrum being changed, smaller wireless operators are showing interest in CBRS for fixed wireless. According to Claude Aiken, CEO of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), “The upside is there’s potentially more spectrum available. The downside is you no longer have that semi-protected framework available to you. It will be more mediated by the Spectrum Access System (SAS)”.

3. Private LTE Networks

The third use case identified is deployment of Private LTE Networks. Private companies like Cradlepoint are now positioning themselves to leverage the spectrum to provide an answer to areas in which Wi-Fi has been ineffective. The company’s VP of IoT strategy and business development, Ken Hosac, had this to say: “A lot of enterprises are trying to use Wi-Fi in applications where it’s just not working.”

Although companies like Verizon plan to use CBRS exclusively for additional wireless capacity in mostly outdoor and highly populated locations, cable companies could now pose a threat to wireless companies. According to Kurn, “Overall, the insights from the event support our view that cable companies stand to benefit the most from CBRS. We estimate this could enable cable companies to pass an incremental 6-7 million homes.”

Wireless companies, however, aren’t estimated to experience a drastic change to their subscriber counts. This difference in results could greatly impact the wireless market as CBRS deployment continues, enabling a uniquely competitive edge in the marketplace for cable companies.

Time will tell exactly how CBRS will shape the market. For now, it’s clear that there are bright opportunities for both cable companies and wireless companies who will offer opportunities for connectivity in much needed areas.

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References:

fiercewireless.com/wireless/3-main-cbrs-use-cases-and-why-cable-may-benefit-most