Scaling Smart Cities with 10G Licensed Microwave and Private LTE / Fixed Wireless Access

As cities evolve into smarter, more connected ecosystems, the demand for high-speed, reliable, and scalable connectivity is at an all-time high. Smart Cities aren’t built with shovels—they’re built with spectrum, software, and scalable infrastructure. As CIOs and IT leaders race to modernize city services, reduce infrastructure costs, and improve connectivity for all residents, the old fiber-first model is showing its limits.

If you’re tasked with modernizing IT infrastructure, improving public services, or bridging the digital divide—wireless-first is the future. This wireless-first strategy delivers multi-gigabit speed broadband, seamless scalability, and city-wide IP connectivity that unlocks the full promise of Smart City transformation. Forward-thinking CIOs and IT Directors are embracing 10 Gigabit licensed microwave backhaul and Private LTE / FWA networks to transform their cities into fully connected, scalable Smart Cities—faster, cheaper, and more flexibly than ever before.

Why Smart Cities Are Moving Beyond Fiber

Fiber has long been considered the gold standard. However, laying fiber across an entire city is costly, slow, and disruptive. Trenching through roads, waiting on permits, and negotiating right-of-way can delay digital transformation by years. It can take years and millions of dollars to cover even a modest city.

Instead, CIOs are turning to 10 Gigabit licensed microwave backhaul—delivering ultra-high-speed, low-latency connectivity across long distances without a single trench. This technology still provides fiber-like performance with five-nines (99.999%) reliability. Licensed microwave creates a resilient, high-capacity wireless backbone that supports city-wide broadband connectivity, smart city applications, and public services.

Combined with Private LTE or Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), this creates a high-capacity wireless network that can blanket an entire city with secure IP connectivity. 10 Gbps licensed microwave backhaul offers a better path forward. It delivers the same high-speed, low-latency performance—but with:

• Faster deployments (in weeks, not years)

• Lower costs (up to 70% savings vs. fiber trenching)

• High reliability (99.999% uptime)

• Scalability to reach future demand

  
  

Blanket the City with Gigabit Connectivity Using Private LTE or FWA

Once the microwave backhaul is in place, cities can use Private LTE or FWA to deliver broadband across urban, suburban, and even hard-to-reach areas. These wireless technologies extend IP connectivity everywhere without the need to bring fiber to every endpoint.

Private LTE / FWA offers secure, enterprise-grade wireless coverage using dedicated spectrum (CBRS or licensed bands), enabling gigabit access for buildings, public safety, parks, utilities, transportation, and any other infrastructure with point-to-multipoint or mesh configurations.

Private LTE / Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)

• Secure, high-performance broadband using CBRS or licensed bands

• Ideal for city-wide coverage, digital inclusion, and IoT access

• Connect any IP device anywhere

• Gigabit throughput capability

  
  

Smart City Applications Powered by Ubiquitous IP Connectivity

With 10 Gbps microwave and city-wide wireless broadband, municipalities unlock a host of transformative capabilities:

Intelligent Transportation & Traffic Control

• Real-time traffic light synchronization

• Smart intersections and pedestrian safety systems

• Transit fleet tracking and autonomous vehicle support

  
  

Public Safety & Emergency Services

• Connected surveillance cameras and license plate readers

• Reliable broadband for police, fire, and EMS vehicles

• Real-time coordination during natural disasters or events

  
  

Digital Inclusion & Remote Learning

• Gigabit broadband to underserved communities

• High-speed connectivity for students and schools

• Public Wi-Fi zones across parks and downtown areas

  
  

IoT & Infrastructure Monitoring

• Smart streetlights and energy-efficient utilities

• Water system monitoring and leak detection

• Environmental sensors for air quality and noise

  
  

Economic Development

• Broadband for local businesses and entrepreneurs

• Seamless support for remote work and hybrid offices

• Smart building integration and automated systems

  
  

City Operations & Asset Management

• Centralized control of traffic, lighting, and utilities

• Real-time maintenance alerts from field infrastructure

• Data-driven planning and service delivery

  
  

A Scalable, Sustainable Solution for Modern Cities

Wireless-based Smart City infrastructure is not only faster to deploy but also far more adaptable than traditional fiber-based systems. As cities grow and change, microwave and wireless technologies scale effortlessly. This allows you to add new locations, services, and capacity without tearing up streets or waiting months for permitting.

Ready to Build the Backbone of Your Smart City?

Whether you’re launching a Smart City initiative or upgrading aging infrastructure, a 10 Gigabit licensed microwave and Private LTE solution can be your launchpad to a fully connected future.

Contact Alpha Omega Wireless to learn how we can help you design, deploy, and manage a wireless infrastructure that delivers the performance and reliability your city demands—without the cost or delay of traditional fiber.

Let’s build smarter cities—without the wires.