Ericsson to build Newport Utilities’ wireless network to bring high-speed internet access to underserved portions of their rural Tennessee service territory that otherwise is geographically challenging or difficult to reach with fiber optic cable
- Newport Utilities’ network will be operated by Ericsson’s world-class Managed Services solution for first year of operations
By ; Nelly All
Ericssonhas reached an agreement with Newport Utilities to build the rural utility industry’s first Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network in Tennessee.
Sixty percent of school age children in the community Newport Utilities serves do not have high-speed Internet at home, and the project will bring high speed broadband to an underserved portion of the state.
Chris Calhoun, Broadband Manager for Newport Utilities, says: “This partnership helps close the gaps in terms of Internet access in underserved communities. We’re thrilled to partner with Ericsson to bring best-in-class fixed wireless to this region.”
Newport Utilities currently provides a fiber optic cable to home broadband customers and will use Ericsson FWA to augment this offering to serve areas difficult to reach with fiber. Fixed wireless access can be a more cost-effective and efficient alternative to providing broadband in areas with limited access to fixed broadband services such as DSL, cable or fiber. The FWA solution will leverage 3.5Ghz Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum and Ericsson’s industry leading 64T64R Massive MIMO technology from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio to provide better coverage and capacity.
Rob Johnson, Head of Customer Unit Regional Carriers for Ericsson North America, says: “Fixed Wireless Access can be a solution in places where wired Internet is a challenge geographically. The project became not only a first in the utility industry, but a passion project for Ericsson to help connect the unconnected and close the homework gap.”
