C Spire conducts 5G technology testing in Mississippi

C Spire LTE network coverage
American telecom operator C Spire has conducted the test of a patented 5G technology in Mississippi.

The new 5G technology will assist engineers to deploy fixed wireless network — cost effectively — targeting consumers and businesses with more capacity and wireless coverage.

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FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr visited C Spire’s Ridgeland, Mississippi headquarters to witness the demonstration of Cohere Technologies’ new 5G turboConnect fixed wireless access solution and tour a wireless internet trial site in Pelahatchie.

The Santa Clara-based Cohere Technologies developed the 5G turboConnect fixed wireless access solution — based on its Orthogonal Time Frequency and Space (OTFS) wireless modulation technology – targeting broadband companies and wireless providers.

“C Spire’s demonstration validates how OTFS wireless modulation technology helps carriers overcome the traditional challenges deploying wireless services,” said Cohere Technologies CEO Shlomo Rakib.

The test at the Ridgeland-based technology firm’s corporate offices relies on sub-6GHz lower band spectrum – 3.65 GHz – which provides better 5G coverage inside buildings and in rural areas.

“We’re working aggressively to bring consumers and businesses the benefits of 5G as part of our suite of broadband solutions,” said C Spire President Stephen Bye.

Cohere Technologies’ OTFS technology improves coverage, spectral efficiency and cost savings.

“5G will require a 10-to-100-fold increase in small cells and millions of miles of new fiber and other high-speed connections,” Carr said. “We need to drive out unnecessary regulatory costs and speed the timeline for obtaining permits so that companies can build and deploy the infrastructure that will power our digital economy.”

C Spire is conducting 5G technology trials using high-band millimeter wave spectrum in the 28 GHz and 60 GHz ranges in addition to this week’s mid-band testing and demonstrations.

C Spire aims to offer 5G fixed wireless internet access to more than 250,000 consumers and businesses across the state. Availability of Gigabit internet service to one out of every five of the state’s 250,000 businesses is also a focus area for C Spire.

The regional telecom company says it operates over 8,000 route miles of fiber optics across the state and deployed more wireless spectrum in the region than any other communications provider.