Overall requirements for fixed radio access in the local loop

This paper discusses the general background to providing fixed “ordinary” telephone service by radio and attempts to identify the key technological issues. Finally the principle types of systems being used and developed are reviewed briefly. Propagation issues for fixed access networks are different from mobile, and in particular the use of external directional antennas can significantly improve link performance. Higher frequencies which are unattractive for mobile use may be used successfully for fixed radio access. All of the multiple-access methods used in mobile systems are being applied for fixed access, but the different service needs and propagation leads to rather different optimised air-interfaces