Wireless broadband provides high-speed Internet access over a wide area using wireless technology. It can offer speeds comparable to wired networks like DSL or cable. Fixed wireless networks use stationary connections that can support higher speeds than mobile networks. Wireless Internet service providers (WISPs) offer broadband wireless access, though maximum speeds are typically under 100 Mbps due to limitations of wireless technologies. Demand for wireless broadband in the US has increased the need for additional radio spectrum to be allocated for these services.

1. WIRELESS BROADBAND

2. Wireless broadband
- is technology that provides high-speed
wireless Internet access or
computer networking access over a wide
area.

3. The term broadband
Originally the word "broadband" had a technical
meaning, but became a marketing term for any kind of
relatively high-speed computer network or Internet
access technology. According to the 802.16-2004
standard, broadband means "having instantaneous
bandwidths greater than 1 MHz and supporting
data rates greater than about 1.5 Mbit/s.

4. Technology and speeds
A typical WISP Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) installed on a residence
Wireless networks can feature data rates roughly equivalent to some wired networks, such as that
of asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) or a cable modem. Wireless networks can also be
symmetrical, meaning the same rate in both directions (downstream and upstream), which is most
commonly associated with fixed wireless networks. A fixed wireless network link is a stationary
terrestrial wireless connection, which can support higher data rates for the same power as mobile
or satellite systems.
Few wireless Internet service providers (WISPs) provide download speeds of over 100 Mbit/s;
most broadband wireless access (BWA) services are estimated to have a range of 50 km (31 mi)
from a tower. Technologies used include LMDS and MMDS, as well as heavy use of the
ISM bands and one particular access technology was standardized by IEEE 802.16, with products
known as WiMAX.
WiMAX is highly popular in Europe but has not met full acceptance in the United States because
cost of deployment does not meet return on investment figures. In 2005 the
Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order that revised the FCC’s rules to
open the 3650 MHz band for terrestrial wireless broadband operations.

6. Development of Wireless Broadband in the United States
On November 14, 2007 the Commission released Public Notice DA 07-
4605 in which the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau announced the
start date for licensing and registration process for the 3650–3700 MHz
band. In 2010 the FCC adopted the TV White Space Rules (TVWS) and
allowed some of the better no line of sight frequency (700 MHz) into the
FCC Part-15 Rules. The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association,
a national association of WISPs, petitioned the FCC and won.
Initially, WISPs were only found in rural areas not covered by cable or
DSL. These early WISPs would employ a high-capacity T-carrier, such as
a T1 or DS3 connection, and then broadcast the signal from a high
elevation, such as at the top of a water tower. To receive this type of
Internet connection, consumers mount a small dish to the roof of their
home or office and point it to the transmitter. Line of sight is usually
necessary for WISPs operating in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands with 900 MHz
offering better NLOS (non-line-of-sight) performance.

7. Residential Wireless Internet
Providers of fixed wireless broadband services
typically provide equipment to customers and install a
small antenna or dish somewhere on the roof. This
equipment is usually deployed as a service and
maintained by the company providing that service.
Fixed wireless services have become particularly
popular in many rural areas where Cable, DSL or other
typical home Internet services are not available.

8. Three fixed wireless dishes with (protective
covers) on top of 307 W. 7th Street,
Fort Worth, Texas around 2001

10. Business Wireless Internet
Many companies in the US and worldwide have started
using wireless alternatives to incumbent and local
providers for internet and voice service. These
providers tend to offer competitive services and
options in areas where there is a difficulty getting
affordable Ethernet connections from terrestrial
providers such as ATT, Comcast, Verizon and others.
Also, companies looking for full diversity between
carriers for critical uptime requirements may seek
wireless alternatives to local options.

12. Demand for spectrum in the US
Main article: National Broadband Plan (United States)
In the United States, more of the broadcast spectrum was needed for wireless
broadband Internet access, and in March 2009, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry
introduced a bill requiring a study of efficient use of the spectrum.
Later in the year, the CTIA said 800 MHz needed to be added. David Donovan of
The Association for Maximum Service Television said the 2 GHz band, allocated
for mobile satellite service, was not even being used after ten years, and switching
to this band would be better than asking broadcasters to give up even more.
Because of the digital transition, television had lost 100 of its 400 MHz. The
National Association of Broadcasters and the AMST commented to the FCC that
the government should make maximum use of this newly available spectrum and
other spectrum already allocated for wireless before asking for more, while
companies that would benefit asked the government to look everywhere possible.
Many broadcasters objected.

13. Meredith Attwell Baker, the newest Republican FCC
commissioner, agreed that properly using the existing spectrum
was important, and part of doing this was using the latest
technology. The wireless industry needed more spectrum, both
licensed and unlicensed.
FCC broadband advisor Blair Levin wanted a plan by February
2010. Another proposal was "geo-filtered WiMAX", which
would allow HDTV but only in a particular market, with the
remainder of the spectrum sold for $60 billion. WiMax would
replace the existing services but would make MVPD services
cheaper, while still allowing broadcasters to make more
money. The additional spectrum made available could then be
sold to pay the industry's debt.

14. An FCC workshop on November 23, 2009 produced several ideas.
Virginia Tech professor Charles Bostian said sharing should be
done, but not in the white spaces; WiFi spectrum should be used
instead. Vint Cerf of Google said cable companies could share some
spectrum, which the companies would like to do except they have
"must-carry" rules that will not allow this. BBN Technologies chief
engineer Chip Elliott called for government-funded broadband to be
shared by researchers. Collaboration was the key to advancing the
technology, and the word "collaboratories" referred to broadband as
"not only the goal of the research, but the vehicle as well."
Wi-Fi testing using white spaces took place in Virginia in Fall 2009
and in Wilmington, North Carolina in 2010.

15. On December 14, 2009 at a hearing before the Communications
Subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, NAB
president Gordon H. Smith recommended using white space in rural areas
with fixed devices rather than mobile devices, and new types of
broadband service such as those developed by Sezmi. CTIA president
Steve Largent said that the industry needed spectrum, "wherever it comes
from." He said government spectrum probably was not efficiently used
and would "likely" be "repurposed", while other broadcast and satellite
spectrum "may" be used better for wireless. Largent also said without
more spectrum, companies might merge to better use what they had.
Consultant Dave Hatfield, former FCC engineering and technology chief,
said making maximum use of existing spectrum through compression and
modulation would help, but it would not be enough.

16. The February 17, 2010 deadline was extended by a month. On
March 16, at the FCC's monthly meeting,
Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan was
revealed, with a combination of mandatory and voluntary
efforts expected to increase spectrum by 300 MHz; 120 MHz
of that was expected to come from broadcasters, and 90 MHz
from mobile satellite service.
Mark Wigfield, broadband spokesman for the FCC, pointed out
that even in the unlikely event all broadcasters in a market gave
up their spectrum, the FCC would have to guarantee that some
over-the-air service remained.

17. In April 2011, FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said "realigning"
would be necessary if broadcasters did not volunteer, while Intel's
Peter Pitsch told Congress "the repacking process should not be made
voluntary." The NAB's Smith worried that the process could cause
numerous problems for broadcasters and viewers.
The spectrum auctions were authorized by Title VI (The Spectrum Act)
of the payroll tax cut extension passed by Congress on February 17, 2012.
On April 27, 2012, the FCC approved letting stations share channels, with
all stations that had "full channels" keeping rights such as must-carry. At
the first "reverse incentive auction" workshop on October 26, FCC Media
Bureau chief Bill Lake said stations would not be able to decide their
channel but could apply to change it.

18. Mobile wireless broadband
Called mobile broadband, wireless broadband technologies
include services from mobile phone service providers such as
Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T Mobility, which allow a more
mobile version of Internet access. Consumers can purchase a
PC card, laptop card, or USB equipment to connect their PC or
laptop to the Internet via cell phone towers. This type of
connection would be stable in almost any area that could also
receive a strong cell phone connection. These connections can
cost more for portable convenience as well as having speed
limitations in all but urban environments.

20. On June 2, 2010, after months of discussion, AT&T became the first
wireless Internet provider in the USA to announce plans to charge
according to usage. As the only iPhone service in the United States,
AT&T experienced the problem of heavy Internet use more than other
providers. About 3 percent of AT&T smart phone customers account for
40 percent of the technology's use. 98 percent of the company's customers
use less than 2 gigabytes (4000 page views, 10,000 emails or 200 minutes
of streaming video), the limit under the $25 monthly plan, and 65 percent
use less than 200 megabytes, the limit for the $15 plan. For each gigabyte
in excess of the limit, customers would be charged $10 a month starting
June 7, 2010, though existing customers would not be required to change
from the $30 a month unlimited service plan. The new plan would
become a requirement for those upgrading to the new iPhone technology
later in the summer.

21. Licensing
A wireless connection can be either licensed or unlicensed. In
the US, licensed connections use a private spectrum the user
has secured rights to from the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In other
countries, spectrum is licensed from the country's national
radio communications authority (such as the ACMA in
Australia or Nigerian Communications Commission in Nigeria
(NCC)). Licensing is usually expensive and often reserved for
large companies who wish to guarantee private access to
spectrum for use in point to point communication. Because of
this, most wireless ISP's use unlicensed spectrum which is
publicly shared.

22. Wireless Broadband Explained
by Jack Powell, Demand Media
Wireless broadband, also known as mobile broadband, is
a way for users to connect to the Internet wirelessly.
When high-speed Internet connections were developed,
users were required to connect to the modem or router
though Ethernet cables, which did not allow for
portability. Wireless routers enabled users with wireless
network cards to connect to their networks and get
Internet service wirelessly finally making the Internet
portable. With the creation of wireless broadband, users
can subscribe to wireless Internet services without using
a home modem or wireless router.

24. Equipment
To access the Internet from a home network you need a
modem to receive the Internet signal, a wireless router to
broadcast the signal wirelessly and a wireless network
card installed in the computer to receive the signal. Wi-Fi
hot spots available in many public places these days
provide the modem and router, so the only thing the user
needs is a wireless network card. Wireless broadband
mimics this model in that the only piece of equipment
needed is on the computer side. A wireless modem,
which connects to your computer via a USB port, must be
purchased in order to receive wireless broadband
service.

26. Range
Typical wireless networks have a range of a few
hundred feet at best. This means that any
computers wanting to pick up a signal from the
network needs to be within about a 300-foot
radius of the router. Wireless broadband usually
transmits through cell phone networks, so you can
receive coverage anywhere that cell phone carrier
provides coverage. Using wireless broadband,
you will be able to access the Internet nearly
anywhere.

28. Cost
Wireless broadband service fees cost an average of $60 per
month, as of the time of publication. This is quite a bit higher
than normal broadband service, which averages $45 per
month. Some providers provide free modems or rebates as
an added incentive, but those that do not charge between
$30 and $100 for the wireless modem. Many wireless
broadband carriers also impose data limits. Users who go
over this limit are charged a fee per megabyte. For people
who use their wireless broadband connection frequently, this
could raise the monthly cost significantly. Another cost factor
to consider is early termination fees. Most providers require a
two-year contract and if a user wishes to end his service
early, the carrier charges an early termination charge of
around $200.

29. Speed
Wireless broadband speeds are slower than
broadband service. Just how much slower
depends on the carrier and current usage. This
could severely hinder your performance if you are
attempting to access the Internet during a high-
usage period. Weather issues and interference
from other wireless devices can also affect the
speed and reliability of wireless broadband.

30. Wireless broadband providers
There are no 'wireless broadband suppliers', you
would still sign up to a regular broadband
package with an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
and simply connect a wireless router to your
modem. It's the router that has the power to allow
you to go wireless.
Some ISP's will offer you free wireless routers and
security packages when you take out a
broadband contract with them.

32. What are the advantages?
The main advantage of wireless broadband is that you
can surf the web from your living-room, kitchen,
bedroom, basically wherever you like as long as you
have a signal from your router. You also have the
advantage of connecting a number of different computers
to the router and each being able to browse any website
of their choice without interfering with the other users.
You can also connect a number of different devices to
the internet through the wireless router, for example
phones and PDA's.

33. What are the disadvantages?
The main disadvantage is that hackers,
neighbours or even passers by can use your
internet without your permission if you don't have
your wireless network properly secured. Another
disadvantage is that the strength of the signal
weakens the further away you are from your
router, or is also weakened if the signal has to go
through thick brick walls, this would lead to a
slower internet browsing speed.