DISH Cues Up Trials for LTE-Based Fixed Wireless Broadband

DISH Network and nTelos Holdings are ready to launch trials for an LTE-based fixed-wireless broadband service, making good on an agreement that the two announced back in May.

At the time, the two said that they would roll out service in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky. After limited (and unspecified) June deployments, the pilot program trial markets include Roanoke, Staunton, Waynesboro and Charlottesville, Va., potentially reaching up to a half million homes.

The companies are targeting early 2014 for rollout.

DISH typically has partnered with cable MSOs and telcos to add broadband to its subscription packages in some markets, and also partners with rural telcos around the country to contribute a TV offering in smaller markets to those already providing broadband. It also partners with wireless ISPs and those same telcos via the DISH Single Bill program, which offers a white-label option for providers in underserved areas to add television to their broadband and voice portfolios.

Implementing its own broadband strategy would greatly expand its presence outside of its bread-and-butter urban/suburban markets.

“With nearly a fifth of U.S. households underserved by broadband, a fixed wireless solution could deliver an additional broadband option to millions of consumers,” said Tom Cullen, DISH executive vice president of corporate development.

Following a similar approach used in the initial deployment, nTelos and DISH will install outdoor routers designed to receive a 2.5 GHz LTE signal. These units are Ethernet connected to a wireless router in the home, facilitating broadband Internet access throughout the premises.

“By combining forces and leveraging our collective assets, we have been able to successfully deliver fixed wireless broadband service with competitive throughput and speeds,” said James Hyde, CEO of nTelos. “Expanding the trial will give us the opportunity to stress-test the network for coverage and reliability, and to further evaluate the viability of a full commercial launch.”