AT&T tapping G.fast to boost broadband in multiple-dwelling units
While the long-term movement in Tier 1 carrier networks is toward more and more fiber, many service providers maintain copper coaxial cable networks, which can be upgraded to provide increasingly fast broadband speeds. Particularly in the case of a multiple-dwelling unit (MDU) like an apartment complex, running fiber to each unit is an expensive, time-consuming process. By leveraging existing coaxial cable, operators can quickly turn-up a better service. Case in point, AT&T is using G.fast to provide up to 500 Mbps speeds to an MDU in Boston, Mass.
G.fast (fast access to subscriber terminals) uses discrete multi-tone modulation, time division duplexing and other technologies to deliver speeds between 150 Mbps and 1 Gbps depending on the length of the copper run.
Ed Balcerzak, SVP of Connected Communities, AT&T, said G.fast and 5G fixed wireless provided over millimeter wave spectrum, gives the carrier broad reach into MDUs. “With G.fast we can connect more Boston area residents to information, entertainment and their community. We’re committed to providing connectivity to MDU residents…and we’ll do it through G.fast and millimeter wave.”
Last year AT&T began testing G.fast in Minneapolis, Minn., and expanded the service to Denver, New York City, Phoenix, Seattle, Tampa and Boston.
Nokia, previously Alcatel-Lucent, has been a major proponent of G.fast deployments, including working with Taiwanese telecom operator Chunghwa Telecom a plan to launch the world’s first commercial deployment of G.fast technology, allowing the acceleration of last mile connectivity to deliver broadband to households across Taiwan. Nokia has tested G.fast with more than 30 operators worldwide.
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