AT&T has unveiled a patented technology that could someday deliver high-speed wireless internet to homes over power lines.
The technology, called Project AirGig, is expected to help AT&T reach urban, rural, and underserved areas across the globe by leveraging existing infrastructure. AirGig bounces multi-gigabit internet speeds along power lines, not through them, with help from small cells. It will require partnerships with local utility companies to deploy. AirGig’s first field trials in select cities, which have yet to be announced, are slated to begin in 2017. Commercial deployment could come in the following few years.
“We’re looking at different types of trial sites, but looking globally as well,” Andre Fuetsch, president of AT&T Labs and chief technology officer, said during a briefing on Tuesday. The company could look at regions where regulations are favorable, and it could also choose to test at a site that has high-cost broadband or none at all, said John Donovan, chief strategy officer and president of technology and operations.
“We’re talking about potentially going into an area that simply has power lines,” he said. “Trial areas where we we think we can move speedily.”
The Dallas-based tech giant has more than 100 patents and applications associated with AirGig, a project it’s been working on for about a decade. The technology is easier to deploy than fiber because it runs over license-free spectrum, the executives said. This means that the company wouldn’t have to roll out new cables or towers. It also will help provide high speeds for the technology coming from the growing industries of virtual reality, telemedicine, connected cars, and augmented reality.
“We think you’re going to have to continue to innovate,” Donovan said about keeping pace with demand. “Keeping the affordability for the consumption curve can’t be acquired by additional equipment … You’re going to be forced to leapfrog that.”
The early lab results are positive, according to the company. AT&T has successfully been running 4K TVs and cameras on AirGig. The field trials will help solidify the effectiveness of the technology.
Previously, similar broadband-over-power-line technologies were pushed. About 10 years ago, the Federal Communications Commission was encouraging deployment of the service. But that ended up being much pricier to deploy than regulators first expected. This technology, though, is different, said Donovan.
Previously, “Broadband over power lines was using the conductor itself,” he said. “All the steps down and steps up going around transformers made it not that cost-effective. More importantly they couldn’t get the speeds out of that technology.
“We can actually deliver in gigabit range, and that’s why we believe it’s such a game changer.”
