AT&T announced the start of trials of AirGig, its system for fixed-wireless broadband over aerial power lines. The trials are with the company Georgia Power in the US state of Georgia and in an unnamed international location, also with an electricity company.
Developed by AT&T Labs, AirGig is expected to dramatically reduce the costs of delivering broadband, without the need for towers or underground cables, while also taking advantage of new spectrum blocks to deliver gigabit speeds.
The first trial started earlier this fall and is with an electricity provider outside the US. The second trial recently kicked off in Georgia with Georgia Power. While this trial is located in a rural area, AirGig also could be deployed in suburban or urban areas, AT&T said.
AT&T said it doesn't yet have timetable for commercialising AirGig services. More advanced technology trials in other locations may take place in future.
