PDF of this tutorialThe rural full-service network must also support wireless-telephony access. This is required not only for cellular and PCS needs but for providing an alternative to copper for customer drops. In extremely rural areas, wireless is sometimes the only cost-effective method of providing telephony services.
Multichannel multipoint distribution system (MMDS) is a wireless method some operators use to provide video services to rural customers. MMDS is complementary to the fiber/copper network and gives the rural operator another way of providing all of the services demanded from a full-service network. Local multipoint distribution system is a refinement of MMDS, utilizing higher frequencies whose exact allocation will soon be determined by the FCC.
Direct broadcast satellite (DBS), otherwise known as direct to home (DTH), provides another wireless method for the rural operator to distribute video services. For instance, approximately 50 percent of the members of National Rural Telephone Cooperative market the DirectTV, DBS service. Many of these companies have both HFC and MMDS interests, as well. As with MMDS, it is a wireless-broadcast solution, which means low up-front costs for the operator (see Figure 8). Unlike an HFC system, costs are mostly associated with each subscriber and not on an up-front, per-passing basis.
Figure 8. Mixed Fiber–DBS Systems for the Rural FSN
