N-GEN Communications Web-based Seminars ©NGCS

Seminar - An Overview of Communications Technologies

Module 9 - Wireless Systems and Technologies                                                                                 Slide 38 of 80                                                                                                    ________________

What is LMDS?

                                    A Fixed Wireless Broadband System 

                                    High Capacity

                                    Effective Range 5 Kms

                                    Supports Multi-media Applications

                                                                                                   ________________

LMDS is a broadband wireless system using ultra high frequency microwaves to send and receive two-way broadband signals. LMDS provides a wireless infrastructure, using line-of-site radio links. LMDS comprises systems that are licensed to operate in the 24, 28, 31, 38 and 42 G Hz bands.  LMDS provides an effective last-mile solution for the incumbent service provider and can be used by competitive service providers to deliver services directly to end users.

The acronym LMDS can be explained by L for Local, M for Multipoint, D for Distribution and S for System or Service.

Local indicates that propagation characteristics of signals in this frequency range limit the potential coverage area of a single cell site. The range of an LMDS transmitter in a metropolitan area is 5 miles.

Multipoint indicates that signals are transmitted in a point-to-multipoint or broadcast method and the wireless return path from the subscriber to the base station is a point-to-point transmission.

Distribution refers to the distribution of signals, which may consist of multi-media (voice, data, Internet, and video) traffic

System indicates the subscriber nature of the relationship between the operator and the customer; the services offered through an LMDS network are entirely dependent on the operator's choice of business

Why LMDS?
Advances in a point-to-multipoint technology offer service providers a method of providing high-capacity local access that is less capital-intensive than a wireline solution, faster to deploy than wireline, and able to offer a combination of applications.

Multi-media Applications:
Distant learning, Video conferencing, e-Commerce, Telemedicine, Telecommuting