The internet has transformed how we live, work, and learn, offering endless opportunities for growth and development. However, a stark digital divide persists between urban and rural regions, with many sparsely populated communities struggling to access the same level of connectivity as their urban counterparts. This disparity has the potential for far-reaching implications, such as hindering economic growth, limiting educational or professional opportunities, and restricting social connectivity. As the world becomes increasingly digital, Samsung is addressing this divide by helping ensure that all communities, regardless of environment, have equal access to the benefits of broadband connectivity. Failure to do so risks leaving rural communities behind and stifling the potential for innovation and progress.
Why 5G for rural areas?
Bringing 5G networks to rural areas has the potential to improve opportunities for residents and drive growth in various sectors of these communities, thanks to its fast speeds, low latency, and increased capacity. The Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) also plays a vital role in rural areas, as most regional operators traditionally use CBRS to provide wireless services. By utilizing 5G CBRS, these operators can enhance their network performance and expand their coverage to benefit more rural communities.
Increased access to broadband connectivity means enhanced capabilities not only for the local businesses, but also for rural communities at-large to better serve their population in a variety of ways. For rural-based businesses, a 5G connection could mean expanding its delivery footprint to a broader customer base or improving its ability to serve current patrons. The improved economics that 5G offers to rural network operators means that these underserved communities can enhance their service choices and potentially double their internet service performance.
Further, 5G can improve healthcare access and services as well as enhance public safety capabilities. With 5G-powered telemedicine, rural residents can better access general and specialist care and remote consultations, improving health outcomes and reducing the need for long-distance travel. In terms of public safety, 5G can support advanced emergency response systems, allowing for real-time communication and data sharing between first responders and command centers.
The opportunities that 5G can provide for under-served communities are tremendous. Improved internet access has shown to enhance business and work productivity as well as increase demand for goods and services by broadening market access, while benefits for individuals include better access to tools like on-the-job training to ‘up-skill’ workers to enhance their careers and earning potential.
Rural 5G deployment challenges
The challenges that rural communities face when trying to keep up with urban and suburban internet access and performance levels are driven by two primary factors: the cost to deploy relative to service demand and the deployment time to roll out fiber.
Unlike urban areas where the high population density justifies such an investment, rural areas often lack the economies of scale that make such spend financially viable for telecom providers. Installing 5G cell towers and laying fiber optic cables, which form the backbone of the network, require significant capital expenditure. These costs can be even higher in rural areas due to the vast distances between communities and the need to navigate challenging terrain. Mountainous regions, dense forests, and expansive farmlands can pose logistical difficulties and increase the cost as well as complexity of the deployment. Terrain that is rugged and difficult to navigate may even require specialized equipment and particular expertise for physical wire installation.
One effective way to address these challenges is to employ Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), a wireless technology approach that allows for broadband internet access using radio frequencies rather than copper or fiber optic cables. FWA offers a flexible and quick way to connect across a wide geographic range. Similar to traditional wired broadband services, such as cable, FWA helps organizations connect to their critical web-based applications and services, but it does so without the hassles of digging, burying or stringing long physical installations over the last mile.
Time to deploy is another crucial factor that favors FWA over traditional wireline network rollouts, especially in rural areas. Deploying FWA networks can be significantly faster than laying fiber optic cables as fiber deployments typically involve extensive trenching, working in difficult terrain, and permitting issues. Permitting requirements – a significant hurdle when deploying fiber networks in rural areas – mean operators must navigate the many complexities of acquiring permits for Environmental and Historic Preservation, Joint Use Attachments, and Rights-of-Way access. These necessary permits can lead to significant delays before deployments can begin and can take months or even years, depending on the complexity of the terrain and the extent of permitting required.
In contrast, new FWA networks can be deployed within a few months. If utilizing existing cellular infrastructure, FWA capacity can be added and connectivity provisioned within weeks. This rapid deployment capability ensures that rural communities can gain access to high-speed internet much more quickly instead of waiting for years before fiber networks can be provisioned.
This rapid deployment is critical in bridging the digital divide and enables quicker access to essential services like telehealth, online education, and digital commerce, thus fostering economic and social development in underserved communities.
In addition, GSMA Intelligence conducted rigorous tests comparing FWA to Fiber to the Home (FTTH) in various regions and found that for new developments in rural areas, implementing FWA technology resulted in cost savings of up to 65% compared to FTTH.
What to look for in an FWA technology provider
The key to bringing FWA to rural communities in a cost-efficient manner is leveraging a network technology provider with proven commercial experience in delivering the innovative and high-performing solutions since the early days of 5G. As a global leader in 5G technology, Samsung offers a range of innovative solutions that can help overcome the challenges of deploying 5G networks in rural communities, one of which is Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).
Utilizing cellular networks to deliver high-speed internet to homes and businesses without traditional wired connections, FWA is a game-changer for rural communities where installing wired infrastructure can be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. Although FWA has already been used with 4G technology, new capabilities of 5G – such as its high-speed data rates and ultra-low latency – now make it possible to leverage FWA more effectively to help rural communities enjoy the benefits of reliable and fast internet connectivity.
In addition to FWA, Samsung has developed advanced 3GPP antenna technologies that can significantly enhance the coverage and capacity of 5G networks which are also applicable in rural settings. One such technology is massive MIMO (mMIMO), which utilizes a large number of antenna elements to focus the wireless signal more precisely toward users’ devices. Massive MIMO’s advanced beamforming capabilities enable it to serve more users simultaneously, which is particularly valuable in rural communities where a single cell tower may need to cover a wide area and serve a dispersed population. As validated by industry analyst Signals Research Group, Samsung’s multi-user MIMO radio technology makes substantial capacity gains possible for 5G networks and benefits FWA use cases.
Recognizing the critical importance of bridging the digital divide, the U.S. Federal government and state policymakers are taking steps to address these challenges. Initiatives like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, established by the U.S. government, aim to provide funding and support for the expansion of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas. Managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the program allocates over $42 billion to states and territories to support their broadband deployment plans. These funds are intended for planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption efforts to ensure all Americans have access to reliable high-speed internet.
Conclusion
The deployment of 5G networks in rural communities is crucial for bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all individuals have access to the opportunities and resources that connectivity provides. While challenges exist in deploying this technology in rural areas, solutions offered by Samsung can help overcome these obstacles. Investing in 5G infrastructure and leveraging innovative technologies can create a more equitable and connected future for all communities, regardless of location.
