FCC frees up spectrum for wireless backhaul

by Brendan Sasso - 08/09/11 9:33 PM ET

{mosads}Wireless backhaul provides the infrastructure to telephone companies that is crucial for connecting a call from one phone to another. It is used to transmit data between cell sites or between cell sites and network backbones.

The use of microwave links for backhaul instead of traditional copper circuits and fiber-optic links has increased 50 percent in recent years, according to the FCC.

Genachowski said the ruling will speed the rollout of 4G networks and bring broadband services to more rural areas.

In total, the move frees up 650 megahertz of spectrum.

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