Advanced Wireless Services

Advanced Wireless Services, also known as AWS-1, is a wireless telecommunications spectrum band used for mobile voice and data services, video, and messaging. AWS-1 is used in the United States and Canada. It replaces the spectrum formerly allocated to Multipoint Multichannel Distribution Service, sometimes referred to as Wireless Cable.

The AWS band uses microwave frequencies in two segments: from 1710 to 1755 MHz, and from 2110 to 2155 MHz. The service is intended to be used by mobile devices such as wireless phones for mobile data, video, and messaging services.

In the USA, the service is administered by the Federal Communications Commission. Bidding for this new spectrum started on August 9, 2006 and the majority of the frequency blocks were sold to T-Mobile USA to deploy their 3G wireless network in the United States. This move effectively kills the former MMDS and Wireless Cable service in the United States.

In Canada, WIND Mobile operates on the AWS band (except in Quebec). Quebecor operates on the AWS band in Quebec, Canada.