Wireless internet service provider Starry, Inc today said it will use the spectrum that it won in the recent 24 GHz auction to support competitive 5G fixed wireless service. The company was one of the biggest winners in the auction, gaining 104 licenses for 51 partial economic areas in 25 states, covering more than 60 million people and 25 million households.
With the new licenses, Starry’s fixed wireless footprint will reach more than 40 million households, covering more than 25 percent of all U.S. households, according to the company. Starry currently offers a symmetrical 200 Mbps fixed wireless service for $50 per month. The company currently provides service in Boston, Denver, L.A., New York City, and Washington DC.
With its Boston beta launch in 2016, Starry said it was the first company to successfully commercially deploy pre-standard 5G, point-to-multipoint fixed wireless technology to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to the home. Starry’s entire technology stack was developed in-house, from its network-node (Starry Beam), to the at-premises transceiver (Starry Point) and in-home Wi-Fi hub (Starry Station & Launch).
Starry said it offers consumers “a simple, no bundles, no-long-term contract, no-data caps, no-hidden fees plan” inclusive of installation, 24/7 customer care and all equipment.
“We are excited to take this important next step, augmenting our shared spectrum strategy with exclusively licensed spectrum,” said Starry CEO and co-founder Chet Kanojia, in a prepared statement. “This gives us the ability to provide access to unlimited, affordable, high-quality internet access to more than 60 million Americans. We built our technology to be agile and operate across a range of frequencies so that we could take advantage of opportunities like this to expand and grow our network. Our success over the last two years, deploying and operating our network across five major markets, sets the stage for this incredibly exciting next phase for Starry – here in the United States and around the world.”
