“We’re covering 28 square miles with the same cost it takes to dig one mile of fiber—and we’re doing it with gigabit speeds.” — Paul Wright, Chief Revenue Officer, CBNG

In a timely conversation on Technology Reseller News, Publisher Doug Green interviews Paul Wright, Chief Revenue Officer of Cambridge Broadband Networks Group (CBNG), to examine a growing concern: fiber broadband rollouts in the U.S. are failing to meet demand, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities. Wright proposes a viable, scalable alternative—Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)—driven by 5G and CBNG’s next-generation point-to-multipoint microwave radios.

CBNG, with a legacy of delivering carrier-grade radio equipment since 2000 and over 350,000 radios shipped globally, is launching a new 5G NR platform that delivers up to 5 Gbps. Wright illustrates how the economics of FWA are revolutionizing broadband planning: for the same cost of trenching one mile of fiber (about $40,000), CBNG’s solution can cover 28 square miles with high-speed wireless internet.

Wright explains how FWA uses licensed spectrum and advanced 5G technologies—like beamforming and standalone operation—making it ideal for quick deployments. With BEAD funding recently liberalized to allow alternatives to fiber, CBNG’s timing is critical. “Now it’s about cost and speed of delivery,” Wright notes, “and FWA is winning on both counts.”

The setup is simple: a small antenna on a home or business connects to a hub station, and installation takes under an hour. Wright envisions municipalities, entrepreneurs, and WISPs driving connectivity forward without waiting on major carriers.

While fiber has its place—especially in greenfield builds—Wright emphasizes that FWA is no longer just a stopgap. “It’s a practical long-term solution,” he says, “especially when fiber may never come.”

CBNG’s 5G NR solution operates in the 39 GHz band, with upcoming support for 24–30 GHz. It’s designed for ease of use and fast ROI, especially for those holding licensed spectrum.

Learn more: https://www.cbng.co.uk