AT&T to Use Fixed Wireless Out of Region

AT&T now says it is deploying fixed wireless using millimeter wave frequencies to apartment complexes in Minneapolis, outside its traditional 21-state wireline service area.

Operating as a competitive local exchange carrier, AT&T plans to use optical transport to light one building, and then use millimeter wave radio to extend the connection to neighboring buildings, delivering signals to individual living units using in-building cabling.

AT&T says it is evaluating the expansion of this fixed-wireless millimeter wave solution to connect additional properties outside of its traditional wireline service area.

In case you miss the implications, this is the first time AT&T is going to compete head-to-head with CenturyLink, in CenturyLink’s footprint, aiming to supply 100 Mbps access service to each unit in a building.

AT&T says it already plans to boost speeds to 500 Mbps to each living unit.

“If successful, this will give us the ability to offer a combination of Internet, DIRECTV and wireless services to apartment complexes and multifamily communities in additional metro areas.” said Ed Balcerzak, AT&T SVP.

Additional areas under consideration where AT&T might do the same include Boston, New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia and and Washington D.C., all in the Verizon Communications footprint.

AT&T says it also is looking at Denver  Phoenix and Seattle, in the CenturyLink region.

All those efforts would have AT&T operating as  a competitive local exchange carrier competing with Verizon and CenturyLink for the first time.