Element8 takes fixed wireless and fiber to the heartland with $200 million investment

Texas-based broadband provider Element8 is looking to make a name for itself in rural America. The company snagged a $200 million infusion of cash from private equity firm Digital Alpha to push its fixed wireless access and fiber services deeper into the central US. Founded in 2020, Element8 has focused on serving broadband in its home state primarily using fixed wireless access technology and a sprinkle of fiber. Element8’s head of Business Development and Innovation Jonathan Van said it is “focusing expansion [activity] in the heartland.” Van said Element8’s approach is technology agnostic, meaning it’s open to choosing the right tool for the right job. But he acknowledged that in the rural areas, it’s targeting, which often means using fixed wireless access. Element8 is notably using Tarana’s high-speed fixed wireless technology, which is capable of delivering speeds up to 1 Gbps. Van said Element8 is using a mix of license-exempt and licensed spectrum for its deployments. It will also strategically deploy fiber, he added.