Rural communities all over the United States have been left out of access to reliable internet service for far too long.
As the pandemic has shown us, the country’s economy cannot withstand external shocks until it ensures that all communities have access to the same services and opportunities.

Recently, Fiber Optic Cable technology has taken center stage and become the focus of many of the network buildout plans in the United States. While Fixed Wireless solutions can bring high-speed internet to many rural communities that hereto before then had non or limited services. However, the rush to fix the rural problem could have a narrow focus and thus fall short of the many services and advantages urban communities enjoy today.

The Two Major Solutions: Fixed Wireless & Fiber

Fixed Wireless providers have the convenience and speed of installation as well as cost to implement over fiber. Getting wireless Internet connectivity cost way less than a custom fiber deployment. Fixed Wireless internet works by transmitting a fiber-optic-backed network via radio signals from a fixed-antenna to an antenna on your home or business. Even though todays Fixed Wireless manufactures have developed Non-Line-of Site equipment, you may have trouble connecting to your internet as obstructions like deep forestry, buildings, or hills will prevent service to your location.

Fiber Optic Cable Technology has become the focus of many of the network buildout plans in the United States as the solution to this problem. Fiber only networks can be time consuming taking multiple years to fully implement, while also demanding significant amount of resources and manpower to implement. Both localities and Operators may invest a lot of money that is narrow in focus and will still leave certain requirements and needed services unmet.

The solution for 2021 and beyond is 5G Capable Hybrid Deployments, The Total Communications Solution!

5G Capable Hybrid Networks are the best of both words. Manufactures like Ericsson have introduced technology that in many case matches and or outperform a fiber only network. It provides the performance users demand with the convenience and speed of installation in less than half the time needed to deliver a fiber only network. Combining Fixed Wireless, Fiber Optic Technologies with an IOT Architecture futures proofs networks and gives the customers the mobility they demand.

5G Capable Hybrid Solution Advantages

Network Slicing

A major components an 5G Capable Network with manufacture such as Ericsson and Nokia Technology offer over one built solely with fiber only or legacy fixed wireless cannot is the ability to have many secure networks in one call network slicing. Network slicing, slices of the network can be tailored for a specific purpose and act as its own independent network. Each slice can optimize the characteristics that are needed for a specific service without wasting resources on things it doesn’t need.

Emergency responders can have a secure and reliable slice that can allow first responder to communicate with personnel while in route to and emergency and or communicate with a hospital that could save a life.

A city can get a network slice to monitor all of it energy use to improve it sustainability

Universities and school systems can have their own slice to ensure each student has reliable access to assignments.

Mobility Enhancement

We have all heard horror stories of people lost, broke down or in an accident on a rural road with no communication. 5G Capable Networks with a “Mobility Layer” opens access to mobile service where none had existed before. The true smartness behind smartphones is the mobile network that keeps you connected even if you travel at high speeds. All mobile networks, regardless of technology generation, are using the same basic principles for how they work.

Mobile networks consist of three parts. First, we have the Radio Access Network, which is what your phone connects to. Its antennas can often be seen on city rooftops or on masts and towers in the countryside.

Then we have the Core Network – the central part of the mobile network – that for example connects your call to the right person or connects you to the internet service you want to use. Finally, we have the Transport Network that connects the Radio Access Network and the Core.

IOT Architecture Design

Localities can realize and have the ability for future expansion and functionality for smart technology. Sensors that digitalizing entire traffic systems, accelerating agriculture digitalization, connecting every aspect of the business, and farming accelerating agriculture digitalization are just a few of the advanced features of a 5G Capable Hybrid Network with an IOT Architecture Design.

Performance and Speed of Installation

5G Capable Hybrid networks are truly the best of both worlds. 5G radio technologies like Massive Mimo (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) and Beamforming can produce uplink and downlink speed at 100/60 and soon will exceed the 100/100 mark.  Utilizing fiber and Micro Cells fills ensures level performance and speeds throughout the network. When looking at all the other advantages a 5G Capable Hybrid network brings to the table,, the choice is clear. Fiber or Fixed Wireless only networks solve a problem but are narrow focused and future limited. A 5G Capable Hybrid Network with an IOT Architecture is a total Communications Solution.