Alpha Wireless, a global specialist in antenna systems, is supplying 3.5 GHz-capable antennas to Nextlink Internet to enable delivery of broadband internet to underserved communities throughout the Midwestern U.S. region The large-scale, private LTE network deployment using the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum helps Nextlink reduce the costs of rural broadband provisioning while increasing performance and preparing for tomorrow’s 5G networks.
Nextlink says it selected the Alpha Wireless family of antenna solutions to meet the stringent technical requirements of delivering high-speed, fixed wireless internet connectivity to families and businesses across largely rural areas in 11 states. With more than 15 years’ experience designing and manufacturing 3.5 GHz-capable antennas, Alpha Wireless was able to quickly customize an antenna solution to support Nextlink’s commitment to help close the digital divide, as a top winner in the Connect America Fund (CAF) II auction.
“At Nextlink, we are focused on delivering high-quality service to more than 70,000 customers. Our 5G-ready LTE network upgrade will extend access to essential high-speed internet services for remote work, online learning, telehealth services, agricultural IoT, and digital entertainment across America’s heartland,” said Cameron Kilton, Chief Technology Officer, Nextlink. “The Alpha Wireless team has a breadth of experience in 3 GHz-capable antenna design and deployment is critical to our ability to successfully build and deploy the best possible network from our $28.4 million investment in more than 1,000 CBRS Priority Access Licenses which provides our platform for future growth.”
The multi-year Nextlink deployment includes the Alpha Wireless AW3161 3.5 GHz antenna working with Nokia radios in an LTE network that can be easily upgraded to 5G. The Alpha Wireless family of CBRS-ready antenna systems includes pseudo-omni, small cell, beamforming, concealment and tri-sector antennas proven to increase capacity and coverage over the past decade in existing deployments in the U.S., Canada, Ireland and Australia. With an innovative design that enables reduced tower footprint, faster roll-out, increased capacity and maximum coverage, the Alpha Wireless antenna solutions allow Nextlink to optimize performance and deployment speed while cutting operational costs, according to Alpha Wireless.
“As a global leader in 3.5 GHz-capable antenna technology, and an active participant in the OnGo Alliance, Alpha Wireless offers the most comprehensive portfolio of antenna solutions for high-capacity LTE and 5G mobile and fixed wireless networks operating in the CBRS band,” said Fergal Lawlor, Chief Executive Officer, Alpha Wireless. “Having worked with Nextlink on previous deployments, it is gratifying to bring our innovation and expertise in 3.5 GHz antenna solutions to support their CAF II expansion project, delivering low-cost solutions optimized for broad coverage to allow more efficient service delivery in rural areas.”
For more information, visit www.alphawireless.com.