In the 1990s, wireless broadband was born, and quickly went into hibernation, due to a failed experiment with Teligent, NextLink, Winstar, and MCI.  The primary issue was the prototype hardware – it could not provide the required uptime, nor the speed that was required from users.  The technologies of the time were LDMS (Local multipoint distribution systems) and MMDS (Multi-channel multipoint distribution systems).  These systems required optimal placement and required a direct line-of-sight for service.  The beams that were broadcast were wide beams that did not focus or repeat signals, thus leading to interference in transmissions.  The older technologies also used wide open broadcasting, so no authentication was require – leading to a low security level, and many issues regarding unauthorized access.  

 
In the last few years, all of the ‘generation 1’ issues of the past have been solved, and manufacturers have improved service levels while exceeding customer’s performance expectations.  Cost effective new hardware and software that operates over unlicensed airwaves is able to be setup quickly to service a rural or urban area.  The security levels have been drastically improved, and the secure beams reach indoor mounted antennas that comprise secure wireless LANs.  The new smart hardware is also able to pluck out the right broadband signals, thereby eliminating unnecessary signal interference.  Redundancy has also been incorporated into the signals, and these redundant transmitters optimize uptime to greater than 99%.  No longer is line-of-sight required for service, since new Nlos (non-line-of-sight transmitters) have allowed wireless access beneath the densest tree canopy.  Current wireless broadband services are being offered in urban settings for $59 to $199 per month (based on connection speeds), so this superior wireless broadband technology is also cost effective.