Windstream is partnering with Cambridge Broadband Networks Ltd. – a millimeter wave licensed point-to-multipoint (PMP) company, and Straight Path Communications – said to be the largest licensed millimeter wave spectrum holder in the U.S., to extend last-mile wireless options in 40 of its markets.
CBNL’s VectaStar 39 GHz licensed PMP radios will be used, as will Straight Path’s 39 GHz spectrum. Windstream reports in a statement that this will “significantly scale coverage of Windstream’s fixed wireless technology and allow customers to truly diversify their networks by integrating fiber, copper and fixed wireless access technologies.”
The statement further says that the licensed spectrum and radios being used to deliver the service ensure that it is more robust and secure than other wireless technologies and offers end-customers reliable SLAs.
“This new technology will allow Windstream customers to access the company’s advanced data, voice, network and cloud services at speeds of up to 275 Mbps full duplex, and it also supplements Windstream’s other fixed wireless access technologies that range in speed from 1 Mbps to 1 Gbps,” the company says.
Seven Windstream markets where it currently offers fixed wireless access technology – Chicago, New York City, Boston, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Little Rock – will see the added equipment from CBNL and spectrum from Straight Path. CBNL equipment also will roll out in 33 of Windstream’s other markets including Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Richmond, San Antonio, Seattle and St. Louis.
Under the agreement, Windstream has the option of eventually expanding fixed wireless to an additional 32 markets where Straight Path owns 39 GHz spectrum.
“Delivering 13.2 Gbps per hub site and total cost of ownership savings of up to 50 percent compared to point-to-point, VectaStar provides Windstream with a ground-breaking business case,” Lionel Chmilewsky, CEO at CBNL, explains. “This is further supported by the reuse of spectrum where VectaStar’s dynamic µ-TDMA can offer up to 4.4 Gbps of provisioned capacity per sector from just two 50MHz channel pairs. With VectaStar already deployed across 46 countries and nine states, this agreement marks the latest collaboration from CBNL and Straight Path to provide unparalleled nationwide access to 39 GHz and deliver an evolutionary path to gigabit capacities and 5G fixed wireless.”
Straight Path CEO Davidi Jonas comments that the agreement will extend Windstream’s ability to increase capacity and provide licensed bandwidth to thousands of U.S. businesses.
“With vast amounts of our spectrum remaining across major cities (including the most densely populated areas), we look forward to supporting the continued growth of Windstream and other industry leaders, as well as multiple use cases for the benefit of businesses and consumers,” Jonas says.
