Introduction to AT&T AirGig
AT&T AirGig is a unique technology designed to deliver low-cost, multi-gigabit wireless internet speeds using power lines. The system is designed to be easy to deploy, requiring no new fiber-to-the-home, and it has the potential to deliver high-speed internet to urban, rural, and underserved parts of the world. AT&T filed for patents on the technology in 2016.
How AT&T AirGig Works
AirGig works by using a series of plastic antennas, referred to as radio distributed antenna systems (RDAS), that are installed along the existing power grid. These RDAS units create a multi-gigabit signal that travels along or near the wire, not through it. Millimeter wave surface wave launchers are used to regenerate the broadband signal along the power lines. These signals can then be picked up and converted into high-speed internet by customer premises equipment (CPE) at homes or businesses.
The AirGig system operates in a very high frequency band, and AT&T has experimented with both licensed and unlicensed spectrum to deliver this service.
Benefits of AT&T AirGig
AT&T’s AirGig technology offers several potential benefits:
- High-Speed Internet Connectivity: AirGig can deliver multi-gigabit wireless internet speeds, making it a robust solution for high-speed internet needs.
- Easy to Deploy: The technology uses the existing power infrastructure, eliminating the need to build new broadband networks from scratch.
- Accessibility: It could bring high-speed internet to rural or underserved areas that are traditionally hard to reach with fiber.
Potential Applications of AT&T AirGig
While primarily designed for broadband internet delivery, AirGig could also support a number of smart grid applications. The technology could potentially help utility companies with early detection of line integrity issues, such as encroaching tree branches, that often lead to power outages.
Future of AT&T AirGig
AT&T had conducted field trials for AirGig and was planning to continue refining the technology. By using the existing power grid infrastructure, AT&T aims to create a high-speed broadband network that is faster and cheaper to deploy than traditional methods, potentially revolutionizing the internet service landscape.
Conclusion
AT&T’s AirGig technology is a promising innovation that could bring high-speed internet to countless more homes and businesses. With its potential for affordable, widespread deployment and high-speed connectivity, AirGig represents a step forward in the quest to bridge the digital divide.