[1] By using optical fiber, the radio signals can gap larger transmission distances, reducing the need of additional repeaters or amplifiers.
Thus, a single antenna can receive any and all radio signals (5G, Wifi, cell, etc..) carried over a single-fiber cable to a central location where equipment then converts the signals; this is opposed to the traditional way where each protocol type (5G, WiFi, cell) requires separate equipment at the location of the antenna.
[2] Although radio transmission over fiber is used for multiple purposes, such as in cable television (CATV) networks and in satellite base stations, the term RoF is usually applied when this is done for wireless access.
RoF transmission systems are usually classified into two main categories (RF-over-fiber ; IF-over-fiber) depending on the frequency range of the radio signal to be transported.
[2][4] New RoF techniques that support MIMO-enabled wireless services, notably 4G/5G mobile and 802.11 WLAN standards, have also been proposed.
As transmission quality on Ka band frequencies is heavily dependent on weather conditions, suitable system configurations need to be carefully planned and chosen.
These Site Diversity configurations, often rely on DWDM RF-over-Fibre transmission systems, as those are the most cost efficient solutions and ensure good signal quality.
As of April 2012, AT&T had 3000 systems deployed in the United States in places like stadiums, shopping malls and inside buildings.
[2] Plans are in place to expand into rural zones along rail lines, and in new residential and commercial construction spaces.