OhioTT brings affordable high-speed broadband to the underserved with a modern fixed wireless access solution
Learn how OhioTT partnered with Ericsson and Winncom Technologies to bring reliable, affordable high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved communities across Ohio by leveraging the breakthrough capabilities of Ericsson Antenna Integrated Radio technology.
Highlights
- Megan Kvamme, Executive Chairwoman, Ohio Transparent Telecom
The challenge
Delivering high-speed broadband to rural communities is technically and economically challenging:
- Running fiber is costly
With miles separating each home, running fiber-optic cable in rural communities is generally not economically feasible, and the main providers decline to invest. - Lack of affordable services
Existing service offerings proved too expensive for many households struggling with low incomes. - Difficult signal propagation
Wide geographic distances and natural obstacles like hills and trees made older wireless solutions less suitable.
The solution
OhioTT partnered with Winncom Technologies and local community leaders to plan and fund a fixed wireless access solution, including:
Ericsson Solutions
- Ericsson Antenna Integrated Radio – Massive MIMO (24 layers) AIR 6488
- Ericsson Baseband Unit – Model 6630
- 3 sector, 60 MHz per sector solution
- GPS configuration
- Ericsson Radio System Software (LTE TDD)
- Ericsson Network Management Software
- Ericsson Customer Support Plan
Winncom Technologies Solutions
- Site installation materials, DC power system with battery backup
- Switching and routing equipment
- Site kitting and pre-configuration
- Remote Integration of Baseband to ENM/OSS
- ENM SAS integration
- LTE Network Support - Design, Configuration, Optimization
- Remote and On-Site Installation Support
- Kyle Yoder, Head of Technology, Ohio Transparent Telecom
The result
OhioTT is bringing reliable, affordable high-speed broadband to rural communities across Ohio, leveraging partnerships with local government leaders, technology partners, and grassroots organizations to overcome geographical limitations and accelerate speed to market with a state-of-the-art fixed wireless access solution that:
Changes people’s lives and livelihoods
Connecting many people for the first time, OhioTT enables people to now work productively from home, help their children study and do online assignments, connect with family and friends, and access vital services like telehealth.
Extends wireless broadband to hard-to-reach areas
Ericsson Massive MIMO technology overcomes the limitations of older wireless technology, making it possible for OhioTT to deliver broadband service in areas that previously had no other viable connectivity options.
Exceeds network performance expectations
The fixed wireless access solution delivers network performance in excess of 100 Mbps, even when sending signals through heavily wooded areas.
Spurs economic development
By working with community leaders, Winncom, and Ericsson, OhioTT is able to deliver broadband services in a thoughtful way that respects the specific needs of each community it serves. The company even sets up a connectivity fund to ensure the broadband service is used to benefit each new community it serves in the most appropriate way.
Future-proofs network investments
With an eye to the future, OhioTT wanted to ensure the fixed wireless access network was able to support its evolving needs, including upgrading to 5G, and Ericsson’s Massive MIMO technology was key to making that possible with just a software upgrade.
- Mike Cook, Vice President of Business Development, Winncom Technologies
