Wireless Internet

Developing a common and comprehensive factual understanding about how we use, need, and could potentially expand access to spectrum is critical to meet the Nation’s diverse spectrum requirements while also maintaining trust in the process.  It’s core to the National Spectrum Strategy's study-first approach to building a spectrum pipeline. For the Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) demonstration, the Department of Defense relaunched Partnering to Advance Trusted and Holistic Spectrum Solutions (PATHSS) to engage key stakeholders.

The 5G revolution is in full swing as consumers perceive significant improvement in both the wireless phone service they receive and their chosen mobile devices. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) report covers three categories of wireless phone service providers—mobile network operators (MNOs), fullservice mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), and value MVNOs—as well as cell phone manufacturers. ACSI scores are reported on a 0 to 100 scale. Key takeaways include:

T-Mobile has agreed to acquire substantially all of UScellular’s wireless operations. This includes UScellular’s wireless customers and stores, as well as certain specified spectrum assets. Upon closing, T-Mobile’s leading 5G network will expand to provide millions of UScellular customers, particularly those in underserved rural areas, a superior connectivity experience, moving from a roaming experience outside of the UScellular coverage area to full nationwide access on the country’s largest and fastest 5G network.

Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon’s consumer business, recently said that Verizon expects to have 4 to 5 million fixed-wireless access (FWA) customers at the end of 2024, up from 3.4 million at the end of the first quarter of 2023. Financial analysts at TD Cowen who predict that Verizon will add 888,000 new net subscribers in 2024 while T-Mobile will add 1.3 million more customers to add to the 4.8 million customers at the end of 2023. FWA broadband has majorly disrupted the broadband industry.

Judging by the online comments, T-Mobile’s price increase didn’t go over well. That’s putting it mildly—and it’s also no surprise. People generally don’t like to be told their monthly bills are increasing. But in T-Mobile’s case, customers are seething because T-Mobile is raising prices on plans that were offered with “guarantees” they wouldn’t go up, such as T-Mobile One plans. A T-Mobile spokesperson said customers who have Price Lock are still covered under that guarantee.

Some fixed wireless providers are deploying fiber broadband in some areas, as illustrated by Rise Broadband. The company has made fiber broadband available to 60,000 residences and businesses in south Texas and 5,000 in Illinois. Rise Broadband said that its fiber Internet services are available to 25 communities in Texas.

Rep Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced the Clarifying E-Rate Act of 2024, which would expand Wi-Fi access to school buses by making them permanently eligible for E-Rate funding, a program that provides discounts to schools and libraries for affordable telecommunications and internet access.

Broadband infrastructure may be the latest public utility connecting homes and businesses, but it’s also foundational to the emergence of “smart roads” and autonomous vehicles (AVs). Much of the discussion around broadband expansion has been focused, appropriately, on connecting large swaths of the nation with no Internet or less-than-stellar infrastructure.

Some broadband operators view fixed wireless access (FWA) as a looming, competitive threat.

AT&T’s CEO highlighted the operator's progress of combining 5G, fiber and other forthcoming elements like direct-to-satellite communications. “Converged is now the opportunity” CEO John Stankey stated. “That’s going to be one of the key areas for us to get to 40 or 50% [market penetration rates],” he added. This convergence includes fiber, as it was noted that AT&T is on track to reach its goal of 30 million fiber locations passed by the end of 2025. The converged landscape also includes 5G.