Packing a Punch: Small AurusLINK FWA Device Delivers High Quality Broadband to More Locations Faster

As one of the largest full service wireless carriers in the U.S., UScellular is a marquee brand in the North American market that connects more than 5 million people, businesses and government operations with their award-wining network. They pride themselves on looking for ways to make their customers' experiences with their communications services and products even better, and it is with that mission in mind that they are working with DZS to find innovative ways to bring powerful Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions to their customers.

In September 2023, UScellular launched the DZS AurusLINK to extend high-speed reliable broadband internet service to their residential and businesses customers as well as urban, suburban and rural locations across the U.S. The goal was to provide a solution that was simple enough to self-install so customers could turn up services quickly while UScellular was able to minimize installation and support costs.

The AurusLINK/UScellular Outdoor Receiver is a compact (similar in size to a smartphone) easy-to-install device that provides end-users with immediate high speed internet service leveraging the 5G spectrum that brings mobile phone service to thousands of communities. The beauty of the AurusLINK is that even though it is small, it is extremely powerful and perfect for delivering high broadband speeds to locations that may be difficult or cost-prohibitive to reach with wireline networks. In fact, UScellular has found that self-install outdoor solutions like AurusLINK can more than double the number of homes in a service area capable of receiving a high-quality broadband service, not only increasing the potential addressable market per tower but increasing possible income per tower by over 300%.

FWA is a great option for traditionally hard to reach areas including unserved and underserved locations. In fact, FWA will also have an integral role to play in government programs like the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Although BEAD is mainly geared towards fiber deployments, it is estimated that up to 10% of BEAD funds will be spent on FWA solutions.

Recent studies by J.D. Power and Ericsson have shown that FWA technology, especially when deployed using 5G, rates higher than both cable and fixed fiber services in subscriber satisfaction, reflecting the solution's high performance, reliability and perceived value. This study was conducted across all FWA solutions. Imagine the extra perceived value when the solutions is self-installable, more accessible, and delivers a consistently more powerful service because it is fixed outdoors rather than inside the home.

The AurusLINK/UScellular Outdoor Receiver includes an easy-to-use app with step-by-step instructions and network intelligence to locate the best 5G signal. Providing maximum flexibility, the device can be installed either outdoors or indoors, thereby eliminating the need for an indoor-only solution. Many customers choose to Install it outdoors because doing so consistently delivers a significantly stronger signal - often up to twice as fast.

Since deploying the AurusLINK solution, UScellular is experiencing phenomenal results with 70% better customer uptake than was originally forecasted. At DZS, we are committed to working with our service provider and enterprise customers around the world to help them improve and optimize their communications networks with best-in-class solutions like AurusLINK, other technically installed FWA solutions, or industry-leading fiber access and fiber extension solutions.

UScellular's deployment of these self-install DZS solutions is just concluding its first year, yet it continues to accelerate, find success, and expand as an initiative. We look forward to growing with UScellular and hope you too can leverage your licensed spectrum to allow the industry's easiest to deploy and best performing solution to tap new opportunities in your network!

Posted By Peter Lewis

Director FWA Product Management, Connected Edge, DZS