• December 6, 2019

• News

•  Industry News

• Share

Mile High Networks recently began launching an LTE network in Arizona using 3.5GHz CBRS spectrum in an initial commercial deployment (ICD). Last summer, the company used the 3.65MHz band to launch the service but a software release from one of its vendors will enable the full 3.5GHz CBRS ICD.

Mile High Networks, a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP), caters to customers with very limited broadband options, including local businesses, such as insurance agencies and restaurants, and residential users who just want to check their email or stream their favorite show. In fact, most of their customers previously only had dial-up connections. The move to LTE using CBRS spectrum will help Mile High reach a whole new customer base.

“We have had to turn customers away because our existing technology can only handle so many subscribers,” said Mile High CEO and founder Nathan Fillmore. “We believe we can grow rapidly and offer higher speeds. There’s a growing demand for more speed.”

With the LTE service over CBRS, Fillmore expects to be able to reach customers that previously lived too far away to get service from Mile High.

Last month, the FCC approved the use of the 3.5GHz band for commercial operations but wants to initially monitor these deployments to see how they function. If everything works with the ICDs, the band will then be opened for unfettered, unlicensed commercial use. Many believe that will happen later this year or early next year.

According to Mike Wendy, spokesman for the WISPA, the Wireless Internet Service Provider Association, the CBRS spectrum provides companies like Mile High Networks the opportunity to innovate. Mile High’s initial deployment is seen as a “test bed” and is one of a few WISPA members that are deploying LTE using CBRS.

---

Sources:

Arizona WISP Plans LTE Expansion Using 3.5GHz CBRS Spectrum. (2019, October, 25). Retrieved from www.lightreading.com/mobile/4g-lte/arizona-wisp-plans-lte-expansion-using-35ghz-cbrs-spectrum/d/d-id/755154