AT&T announced a new test of wireless broadband over power lines called Project AirGig. The US operator said this technology will be easier to deploy than fibre, can run over licence-free spectrum and can deliver fast wireless connectivity to any home or handheld wireless device. Initial testing of the services at AT&T outdoor facilities has been positive, and the operator plans to start the first field trials in 2017 "at the right global location".
Using in part its own patented technology, AT&T said it's experimenting with multiple ways to send a modulated radio signal around or near medium-voltage power lines. There’s no direct electrical connection to the power line required. AT&T Labs has invented low-cost plastic antennas and devices located along the power line to regenerate millimeter wave (mmWave) signals that can be used for LTE and 5G multi-gigabit mobile and fixed deployments. These patent-pending devices can mean low hardware and deployment costs while maintaining the highest signal quality, according to the company.
The operator sees the potential for multi-gigabit speeds in urban, rural and underserved parts of the world through AirGig. It also sees opportunities for utility companies to use the technology to enable smart-grid applications.
