Wireless Broadband Technology: How It’s Evolved and What Lies Ahead

It’s hard to believe that only a decade ago, internet service providers were still using copper telephone lines to provide broadband internet access to their customers. How times have changed! Today, wireless broadband technology has made it possible for people to get online from almost anywhere. In this blog, we will take a look at how wireless broadband technology has evolved over the years and what lies ahead for this exciting industry.

Some Throwback

The first wireless internet service providers (WISPs) began appearing in the early 2000s. These companies offered customers high-speed internet access using unlicensed spectrum in the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) bands. While this technology was a major improvement over dial-up internet, it had its limitations. For example, ISM band signals are susceptible to interference from other devices that use the same frequency range, such as microwave ovens and cordless phones.

In 2006, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an additional spectrum in the form of the Wireless Communications Service (WCS) band. This new band was specifically allocated for wireless broadband services and was, therefore, less likely to experience interference from other devices. WCS quickly became the preferred choice for WISPs, and by 2008, there were over a thousand WCS-based WISPs in operation across the United States.

Today, the majority of wireless internet service providers use one of two technologies: Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMAX.

LTE is a newer technology that offers several advantages over WiMAX, including higher speeds and lower latency. As a result, many WISPs are now in the process of upgrading their networks to LTE. It is expected that LTE will eventually replace WiMAX as the standard for wireless broadband services.

Looking to the future, it is clear that wireless broadband technology will continue to evolve and improve. Higher speeds, lower costs, and wider coverage areas are just some of the things we can expect to see in the years to come. With these advances, wireless internet will become increasingly accessible to people all over the world.

Wireless Broadband Technology in 2021

The next decade is likely to see even more advances in wireless broadband technology. One major trend that is already beginning to take shape is the move towards using higher frequency bands for internet services. These higher frequencies, such as the millimeter wave (mmWave) band, offer significantly higher speeds and capacity than lower frequency bands. However, they also have a shorter range and are more susceptible to interference. As a result, mmWave-based internet services will likely be initially deployed in densely populated areas where there is a high demand for high-speed internet access.

Another exciting development that is on the horizon is the rollout of fifth-generation (or “fifth-gen”) or 5G wireless networks. These next-generation networks will offer unprecedented speeds and capacity, making them ideal for things like streaming high-definition video and downloading large files. 5G networks are currently being tested by several mobile carriers and are expected to begin rolling out commercially in the next few years.

A Summary

As you can see, there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to the future of wireless broadband technology. With faster speeds, wider coverage, and lower costs, wireless internet is all set to become more accessible each day. AT&T is one of the most prominent mobile carriers investing in the increase in the availability of 5G. You must check out some of the most amazing AT&T internet plans to get your hands on future-proof affordable internet.  We can’t wait to see what the next decade holds for this ever-evolving industry!