Patent Publication Number: US-11039503-B2

Title: Wireless broadband meter collar

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The demand for services available on the Internet and the availability of devices to access the Internet for the services have been increasing rapidly. An access point, such as a home wireless local area network (WLAN) router connected to an Internet service provider, often becomes a bottleneck for accommodating communication and data exchange demands between the home WLAN router and devices connected to the home WLAN router. For example, a family of four may share the same home WLAN with a first person streaming a high definition movie to his smart phone, a second person video chatting with a friend on his laptop computer, a third person downloading HD movies to his pad device, and a fourth person playing an online video game on his computer. Each of the activities requires a high rate of data via the home WLAN, and when the home WLAN fails to meet the demands from these devices, it often leads to unfavorable user experience. For example, the download speed may become slower than expected or desired, video quality may degrade, buffering of data may become more frequent and longer, and the service may even be terminated due to the lack of adequate and continuous communication or data exchange between the device and the service being used on the Internet. Sometimes the cause of the bottleneck is due to the capacity of the home WLAN router itself, but, more often, it is due to the limited speed available from the Internet service provider. 
     Internet service providers, such as cable TV and telecommunication companies, have begun providing broadband services that is capable of download speed of one gigabit-per-second (Gbps) and higher, however, such services generally require access to a fiber optic broadband network and are limited to certain geographical areas. At least partially due to associated costs of physically extending the fiber optic broadband network to individual homes, the fiber optic broadband network for the final portion of the Internet and/or telecommunication network, also known as the last mile, mostly remains incomplete, and a high-speed broadband service, such as 1 Gbps service, remains unavailable for customers without access to a fiber optic broadband network. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items or features. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example block diagram of a broadband access system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example block diagram of the broadband access premise device of  FIG. 1  shown with associated external components. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example block diagram of the broadband access hub device of  FIG. 1  shown with associated external components. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example block diagram of another broadband access premise device shown with associated external components. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Systems and devices discussed herein are directed to providing broadband services, and more specifically to providing broadband services to user equipment (UEs) in a vicinity of an electrical utility meter. 
     A broadband access system, comprising a broadband access hub device (hub device) and one or more broadband access premise devices (premise devices) wirelessly coupled the hub device to provide broadband services to multiple user equipment (UEs), is described. By wirelessly coupling the hub device and one or more premise devices, cost, time, and inconveniences, sometimes referred as the last mile problem, associated with providing broadband services to premises, such as homes and businesses, may be reduced compared to physically connecting each premise to a fiber optic broadband network for broadband services. 
     The hub device may be coupled to a fiber optic broadband network via a fiber optic interface module to access broadband services available on the fiber optic broadband network and provide access to the broadband services to the premise devices by wirelessly communicating with the premise devices using a first telecommunication protocol via a hub antenna. The premise device may have a first antenna, a second antenna, and a power interface module, and may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the hub device via the first antenna using the first telecommunication protocol. The premise device may further be configured to communicate with user equipment (UEs) via the second antenna using a second telecommunication protocol for providing access to the broadband services through the hub device. The power interface module may be configured to supply electrical power to the broadband access premise device from an electric utility meter. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example block diagram of a broadband access system  100 . 
     The broadband access system  100  may comprise a broadband access hub device (hub device)  102  and broadband access premise devices (premise devices), of which three premise devices  104 ,  106 , and  108  are shown in this example. The broadband access hub device  102  may be connected to a fiber optic broadband network  110  and access broadband services available on the fiber optic broadband network  110  provided by a broadband service provider (not shown). The hub device  102  may wirelessly communicate with the premise devices  104 ,  106 , and  108 , as shown by arrows  112 ,  114 , and  116 , respectively, to provide access to the broadband services on the fiber optic broadband network  110  using a first telecommunication protocol via a hub antenna (not shown) of the hub device  102 . 
     The premise device  104 , as an example of the premise devices, may have a first antenna (not shown), a second antenna (not shown), and a power interface module (not shown). The premise device  104  may be configured to wirelessly communicate, as shown with arrow  112 , with the hub device  102  via the first antenna using the first telecommunication protocol to access the broadband services on the fiber optic broadband network  110 . Alternatively, or additionally, the premise device  104  may be connected directly to the fiber optic broadband network  110  as shown by a dotted line  136 . The premise device  104  may be configured to communicate with a plurality of user equipment (UEs), as shown by  118 , via the second antenna using a second telecommunication protocol for providing access to the broadband services through the hub device  102 . Three UEs,  120 ,  122 , and  124  belonging to a premise  126 , such as family members of a household, business employees, etc., are shown in this example as being in communication with the premise device  104  and being able to access the broadband services such as access to the Internet. Alternatively, or additionally, the premise device  104  may communicate with the UEs  120 ,  122 , and  124  via a wireline communication  138  and a router  140 , which may be supplied by a customer. The wireline communication  138  may be Ethernet or Powerline communication. The router  140  may communicate with the UEs  120 ,  122 , and  124  wirelessly such as Wifi, NFC, and the like, or via a wired communication such as Ethernet, USB, and the like. 
     The premise device  104  may be configured to attach as a meter collar to an electric utility meter  128 , which may be a smart meter, of the premise  126 , and the power interface module may be configured to supply electrical power to the premise device  104  from the electric utility meter  128 . The premise device  104  may be further configured to read electrical information, such as electrical consumption and/or generation over a certain period, statistical data analysis of thereof, outage information, etc. stored in memory of the electric utility meter  128 , that is electrical information of the premise  126  associated with the electric utility meter  128 . The premise device  104  may be configured to transmit the electrical information to a service entity (not shown) associated with the electric utility meter  128  using the broadband services via the hub device  102 . 
     The premise device  104  may be configured to communicate with the hub device  102  using a first radio frequency (RF) spectrum and communicate with the UEs  120 ,  122 , and  124  using a second RF spectrum, where the first RF spectrum may be in the microwave to millimeter wave range of spectrum. The hub antenna of the hub device  102  and the first antenna of the premise device  104  may be configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with each other. The second antenna of the premise device  104  may also be configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with the UEs, such as UEs  120 ,  122 , and  124 , in communication with the premise device  104 . The beam-forming may be achieved by using an antenna array or a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna. To avoid RF interferences, the premise device  104  may be configured to use channels in the second RF spectrum to communicate with the UEs  120 ,  122 , and  124 , that are different from channels in the second RF spectrum used by a neighboring premise device, such as the premise devices  106  and  108 . 
     The hub device  102  may be configured to be mounted on a structure such as a side of a building, a powerline tower, a pad mount on the ground, a utility structure such as a telephone or a utility pole such as a utility pole  130  shown in this example, or on any suitable mount, to communicate with nearby premise devices such as the premise devices  104 ,  106 , and  108 . Each premise device may also be covered by another, or a secondary hub device, such as a hub device  132  shown in this example as mounted on another utility pole  134  and in communication with the premise device  104 . The hub device  132  may also be connected to the same fiber optic broadband network  110  as the premise device  102 , to provide access to the broadband services to the premise device  104 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example block diagram of the broadband access premise device  104  of  FIG. 1  shown with associated external components. 
     The premise device  104  may comprise a housing  202 , which may house one or more processors  204 , memory  206 , a first antenna  208 , a first communication module  210 , a second antenna  212 , and a second communication module  214 . 
     In some embodiments, the processors  204  may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), both CPU and GPU, or other processing units or components known in the art. Additionally, each of the processors  204  may possess its own local memory, which also may store program modules, program data, and/or one or more operating systems. 
     Depending on the exact configuration and type of the premise device  104 , the memory  206  may be volatile, such as RAM, non-volatile, such as ROM, flash memory, miniature hard drive, memory card, and the like, or some combination thereof. The memory  206  may include an operating system, one or more program modules, and may include program data. 
     The processors  204  may be coupled to the memory  206  and execute computer executable instructions stored in the memory  206 . The processors  204  may be also coupled modules and components of the premise device  104  and may perform various functions including instructing and causing the modules and components of the premise device  104  to perform their associated functions. The first antenna  208  and the second antenna  212  may be located inside, outside, or on the outside surface, of the housing  202 . In this example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the first antenna  208  and the second antenna  212  are shown to be located outside of the housing  202 . 
     The first communication module  210  may be coupled to the first antenna  208  and communicate with the hub device  102  using a first telecommunication protocol via the first antenna  208  for accessing broadband services on the fiber optic broadband network  110 . The first communication module  210  may communicate with the hub device  102  in the first radio RF spectrum, and the first antenna  208  may be configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with the premise device  104  and the hub device  102 . The first communication module  210  may also be configured to communicate with another hub device, such as the hub device  132  as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, or additionally, the premise device  104  may comprise a fiber optic interface  214  connected directly to the fiber optic broadband network  110  as shown by a dotted line  136  to access the broadband service. 
     The second communication module  216  may be coupled to the second antenna  212  and the first communication module  210  via the processors  204 . The second communication module  216  may be configured to communicate with the UEs  120 ,  122 , and  124  in a second RF spectrum using a second telecommunication protocol via the second antenna  212  for providing access to the broadband services to the UEs  120 ,  122 , and  124  via the first communication module  210 . The second antenna  212  may be configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with the UEs  120 ,  122 , and  124 . The second communication module  216  may be configured to use channels in the second RF spectrum to communicate with the UEs  120 ,  122 , and  124  that are different from channels in the second RF spectrum used by a neighboring broadband access premise device, such as the premise device  106  as discussed above with reference to  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, or additionally, the premise device  104  may comprise a wireline communication module  218  to communicate with the UEs  120 ,  122 , and  124  via a wireline communication  138  and a router  140 . The wireline communication  138  may be Ethernet or Powerline communication. The router  140  may communicate with the UEs  120 ,  122 , and  124  wirelessly such as Wifi, NFC, and the like, or via a wired communication such as Ethernet, USB, and the like. 
     The premise device  104  may also comprise a power interface module  220 , coupled to the processors  204 , housed in the housing  202 . The power interface module  220  may be coupled the electric utility meter  128  and supply electrical power from the electric utility meter  128  to some or all components and modules of the premise device  104 . The premise device  104 , more specifically the housing  202 , may be configured to attach as a meter collar to the electric utility meter  128 . If the electric utility meter  128  is a smart meter, it may store electrical information associated with the electric utility meter  128 , i.e., electrical information of the premise  126 , in its memory for reporting to an associated service entity. The power interface module  220  may read the electrical information from the memory of the electric utility meter  128  and provide to the first communication module  210  for transmitting the electrical information to the associated service entity using the broadband services on the fiber optic broadband network  110 . 
     The premise device  104  may additionally comprise an input/output (I/O) interface module  222  coupled to the processors  204 . The I/O interface module  222  may be configured to communicate with a programming device, such as a computing device  224  loaded with appropriate applications for programming or checking the status of the premise device  104 . The computing device  224  may have input device(s), such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a voice input device, a touch input device, and the like, and output device(s), such as a display, speakers, a printer, and the like. 
     The I/O interface module  222  may comprise a connector, such as a telco connector, a USB connector, a RJ45 connector, and the like, and/or an RF communication module such as a near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth communication, or Wifi communication module for communication with the computing device  224 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example block diagram of the broadband access hub device (hub device)  102  of  FIG. 1  shown with associated external components. 
     The hub device  102  may comprise a housing  302 , which may house one or more processors  304 , memory  306 , a hub antenna  308 , a hub communication module  310 , a fiber optic interface module  312 , and an I/O interface module  314 . 
     In some embodiments, the processors  304  may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), both CPU and GPU, or other processing units or components known in the art. Additionally, each of the processors  304  may possess its own local memory, which also may store program modules, program data, and/or one or more operating systems. 
     Depending on the exact configuration and type of the hub device  102 , the memory  306  may be volatile, such as RAM, non-volatile, such as ROM, flash memory, miniature hard drive, memory card, and the like, or some combination thereof. The memory  306  may include an operating system, one or more program modules, and may include program data. 
     The processors  304  may be coupled to the memory  306  and execute computer executable instructions stored in the memory  306 . The processors  304  may also be couple modules and components of the hub device  102  and may perform various functions including instructing and causing the modules and components of the hub device  102  to perform their associated functions. The hub antenna  308  may be located inside, outside, or on the outside surface, of the housing  302 . In this example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the hub antenna  308  are shown to be located outside of the housing  302 . 
     The fiber optic interface module  312  may be couple to the fiber optic broadband network  110  for accessing broadband services. The hub communication module  310  may be coupled to the processors  304 , the fiber optic interface module  312 , and the hub antenna  308 , and may communicate with a plurality of premise devices for providing access to the broadband services via the hub antenna  308 . In this example, two premise devices,  104  and  106 , are shown to be in communication with the hub device  102 . The hub antenna  308  may beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with the premise devices  104  and  106  in communication with the hub device  302 . The hub communication module  310  may be configured to communicate with the premise devices  104  and  106  in the first RF spectrum. 
     The hub device  102  may also comprise an input/output (I/O) interface  314  coupled to the processors  304 . The I/O interface module  314  may be configured to communicate with a computing device, such as a computing device  316  loaded with appropriate applications for programming or checking the status of the hub device  102 . The computing device  316  may have input device(s), such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a voice input device, a touch input device, and the like, and output device(s), such as a display, speakers, a printer, and the like. 
     The I/O interface module  314  may comprise a connector, such as a telco connector, a USB connector, a RJ45 connector, and the like, and/or an RF communication module such as a near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth communication, or Wifi communication module for communication with the computer  316 . 
     The hub device  102  may be configured to be mounted on a structure such as a side of a building, a powerline tower, a pad mount on the ground, a utility structure such as a telephone or a utility pole, or any other suitable mount as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example block diagram of another broadband access premise device  402  shown with the associated external components. 
     Depending on the location of the electric utility meter  128 , where the housing  202  of the premise device  402  is to be located, relative to the hub device  102 , the wireless communication path in the first RF spectrum between the hub device  102  and the housing  20  may not be ideal. For example, the premise  126  may be behind a taller building relative to the location of the hub device  102 , or the electric utility meter  128  may be located at the back of the premise  126  relative to the location of the hub device  102 . Under such situations, the communication path would include going through the taller building or the premise  126 , which would cause additional path loss between the hub device  102  and the premise device  402 . To address such a situation, the premise device  402  may be configured to have a first unit  404 , comprising a first communication module  406  and a first antenna  408 , located external to the housing  202  such that the first unit  404  may be located at more desirable place on the premise  126 . For example, the first unit  404  may be placed on the roof of the premise  126  to achieve closer to a line-of-sight communication path between the hub device  102  and the first antenna  408  of the first unit  404 . 
     The premise device  402  may be similar to the premise device  104  as described with reference to  FIG. 2 , however, the first unit  404  may be located outside of the housing  202  and be communicatively coupled to the processor(s)  204  as indicated at a point A. The communication between the processor(s)  204  and the first communication module  406  may be accomplished via a cable or wiring, such as a RJ 45 cable, for data, and also power from the electric utility meter  128  via the power interface module  220 , to the first communication module  406 . Such communications may also be accomplished wirelessly with additional transceivers (not shown) included in the housing  202  and the first communication module  406 . Power to the first communication module  406  may be externally supplied (not shown). Additionally, the premise device  402  may be configured to accept the first unit  404  inside the housing  202 , similar to the premise device  104  as described with reference to  FIG. 2 , with an option to remotely located the first unit  404  external to the housing  202  as described above. 
     The techniques and mechanisms of the hub device  102  and the premise devices  104  and  402  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4  are examples of such devices and are not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of any device utilized to perform the processes and/or procedures described above. 
     Some or all operations described above can be performed by execution of computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, as defined below. The term “computer-readable instructions” as used in the description and claims, include routines, applications, application modules, program modules, programs, components, data structures, algorithms, and the like. Computer-readable instructions can be implemented on various system configurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based, programmable consumer electronics, combinations thereof, and the like. 
     The computer-readable storage media may include volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc. The computer-readable storage media may also include additional removable storage and/or non-removable storage including, but not limited to, flash memory, magnetic storage, optical storage, and/or tape storage that may provide non-volatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and the like. 
     A non-transient computer-readable storage medium is an example of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media includes at least two types of computer-readable media, namely computer-readable storage media and communications media. Computer-readable storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any process or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer-readable storage media includes, but is not limited to, phase change memory (PRAM), static random-access memory (SRAM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), other types of random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium that can be used to store information for access by a computing device. In contrast, communication media may embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transmission mechanism. As defined herein, computer-readable storage media do not include communication media. 
     The computer-readable instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more processors, may perform operations described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . Generally, computer-readable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described operations can be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement the processes. 
     EXAMPLE CLAUSES 
     A. A broadband access premise device comprising: a housing; a first antenna and a second antenna disposed in the housing; a first communication module disposed in the housing and coupled to the first antenna, the first communication module configured to communicate with a broadband access hub device using a first telecommunication protocol via the first antenna for accessing broadband services available in a fiber optic broadband network through the broadband access hub device; a second communication module disposed in the housing and coupled to the second antenna and the first communication module, the second communication module configured to communicate with a plurality of user equipment (UEs) using a second telecommunication protocol via the second antenna for providing access to the broadband services to the UEs via the first communication module; and a power interface module disposed in the housing and coupled to the first and second communication modules, the power interface module configured to supply electrical power to the first and second communication modules from an electric utility meter. 
     B. The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, wherein the power interface module is further configured to: read electrical information associated with the electric utility meter stored in memory of the electrical utility meter, and provide the electrical information to the first communication module, and wherein the first communication module is further configured to transmit the electrical information to a service entity associated with the electric utility meter via the broadband services. 
     C. The broadband access premise device as paragraph B recites, wherein the housing access is configured to attach as a meter collar to the electrical utility meter. 
     D. The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, wherein the first communication module is further configured to communicate with the broadband access hub device using a first radio frequency (RF) spectrum, and wherein the second communication module is further configured to communicate with UEs using a second RF spectrum. 
     E. The broadband access premise device as paragraph D recites, wherein the second communication module is further configured to use channels in the second RF spectrum to communicate with the UEs that are different from channels in the second RF spectrum used by a neighboring broadband access premise device. 
     The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, wherein the first antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with the broadband access hub device. 
     G. The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, wherein the second antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with one or more UEs of the plurality of UEs in communication with the broadband access premise device. 
     H. The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, wherein the first communication module is further configured to communicate with the broadband access hub device in a millimeter wave spectrum. 
     I. The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, wherein the first communication module is further configured to communicate with another broadband access hub device. 
     J. A broadband access hub device comprising: a housing; a hub antenna disposed in the housing; a fiber optic interface module disposed in the housing, the fiber optic interface module configured to couple to a fiber optic broadband network for accessing broadband services available on the fiber optic broadband network; and a hub communication module disposed in the housing and coupled to the fiber optic interface module and the hub antenna, the hub communication module configured to communicate with a plurality of broadband access premise devices via the hub antenna for providing access to the broadband services, the hub antenna configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with broadband access premise devices of the plurality of broadband access premise devices in communication with the broadband access hub device. 
     K. The broadband access hub device as paragraph J recites, wherein the hub communication module is further configured to communicate with the plurality of broadband access premise devices in a millimeter wave spectrum. 
     L. The broadband access hub device as paragraph J recites, wherein the broadband access hub device is configured to be mounted on a utility structure. 
     M. A broadband access system comprising: a broadband access hub device; and one or more broadband access premise devices, the broadband access hub device coupled to a fiber optic broadband network, the broadband access hub device configured to access broadband services available on the fiber optic broadband network and to provide access to the broadband services to the one or more broadband access premise devices by wirelessly communicating with the one or more broadband access premise devices using a first telecommunication protocol via a hub antenna, and a broadband access premise device having a first antenna, a second antenna, and a power interface module, the broadband access premise device configured to wirelessly communicate with the broadband access hub device via the first antenna using the first telecommunication protocol and to communicate with a plurality of user equipment (UEs) via the second antenna using a second telecommunication protocol for providing access to the broadband services through the broadband access hub device, the power interface module configured to supply electrical power to the broadband access premise device from an electric utility meter. 
     N. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, wherein the broadband access premise device is further configured to use channels to communicate with the UEs that are different from channels used by a neighboring broadband access premise device. 
     O. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, wherein the broadband access hub device and the broadband access premise device are further configured to communicate with each other in a millimeter wave spectrum through the hub antenna and the first antenna, respectively. 
     P. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, wherein the hub antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with one or more broadband access premise devices in communication with the broadband access hub device, and wherein the first antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with the broadband access hub device. 
     Q. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, wherein the second antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with one or more UEs of the plurality of UEs in communication with the broadband access premise device. 
     R. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, the broadband access premise device is configured to attach as a meter collar to the electrical utility meter. 
     S. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, wherein the broadband access premise device is further configured to: read electrical information associated with the electric utility meter stored in memory of the electrical utility meter and transmit the electrical information to a service entity associated with the electric utility meter using the broadband services via the broadband access hub device. 
     T. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, further comprising: another broadband access hub device coupled to the fiber optic broadband network, the other broadband access hub device configured to access broadband services available on the fiber optic broadband network and to provide access to the broadband services to at least one of the one or more broadband access premise devices by wirelessly communicating with the at least one of the one or more broadband access premise devices using the first telecommunication protocol via a hub antenna of the other broadband access hub device. 
     U. A broadband access premise device comprising: one or more processors; and memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing computer executable instructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to instruct modules to perform configured functions, the modules including: a first communication module coupled to a first antenna, the first communication module configured to communicate with a broadband access hub device using a first telecommunication protocol via the first antenna for accessing broadband services available on a fiber optic broadband network through the broadband access hub device; a second communication module coupled to a second antenna and the first communication module, the second communication module configured to communicate with a plurality of user equipment (UEs) using a second telecommunication protocol via the second antenna for providing access to the broadband services to the UEs via the first communication module; and a power interface module coupled to the first and second communication modules, the power interface module configured to supply electrical power to the first and second communication modules from an electric utility meter. 
     V. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, wherein the power interface module is further configured to: read electrical information associated with the electric utility meter stored in memory of the electrical utility meter, and provide the electrical information to the first communication module, and wherein the first communication module is further configured to transmit the electrical information to a service entity associated with the electric utility meter via the broadband services. 
     W. The broadband access premise device as paragraph V recites, wherein the housing access is configured to attach as a meter collar to the electrical utility meter. 
     X. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, wherein the first communication module is further configured to communicate with the broadband access hub device using a first radio frequency (RF) spectrum, and wherein the second communication module is further configured to communicate with UEs using a second RF spectrum. 
     Y. The broadband access premise device as paragraph X recites, wherein the second communication module is further configured to use channels in the second RF spectrum to communicate with the UEs that are different from channels in the second RF spectrum used by a neighboring broadband access premise device. 
     Z. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, wherein the first antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with the broadband access hub device. 
     AA. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, wherein the second antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with one or more UEs of the plurality of UEs in communication with the broadband access premise device. 
     AB. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, wherein the first communication module is further configured to communicate with the broadband access hub device in a millimeter wave spectrum. 
     AC. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, wherein the first communication module is further configured to communicate with another broadband access hub device. 
     AD. A broadband access hub device comprising: one or more processors; and memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing computer executable instructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to instruct modules to perform configured functions, the modules including: a fiber optic interface module configured to couple to a fiber optic broadband network for accessing broadband services; and a hub communication module coupled to the fiber optic interface module and a hub antenna, the hub communication module configured to communicate with a plurality of broadband access premise devices via the hub antenna for providing access to the broadband services, the hub antenna configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with broadband access premise devices of the plurality of broadband access premise devices in communication with the broadband access hub device. 
     AE. The broadband access hub device as paragraph AD recites, wherein the hub communication module is further configured to communicate with the plurality of broadband access premise devices in a millimeter wave spectrum. 
     AF. The broadband access hub device as paragraph AD recites, wherein the broadband access hub device is configured to be mounted on a utility structure. 
     AG. A computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions, that when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to instruct modules to perform configured functions, the modules including: a first communication module coupled to a first antenna, the first communication module configured to communicate with a broadband access hub device using a first telecommunication protocol via the first antenna for accessing broadband services available on a fiber optic broadband network through the broadband access hub device; a second communication module coupled to a second antenna and the first communication module, the second communication module configured to communicate with a plurality of user equipment (UEs) using a second telecommunication protocol via the second antenna for providing access to the broadband services to the UEs via the first communication module; and a power interface module coupled to the first and second communication modules, the power interface module configured to supply electrical power to the first and second communication modules from an electric utility meter. 
     AH. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein the power interface module is further configured to: read electrical information associated with the electric utility meter stored in memory of the electrical utility meter, and provide the electrical information to the first communication module, and wherein the first communication module is further configured to transmit the electrical information to a service entity associated with the electric utility meter via the broadband services. 
     AI. The computer readable medium as paragraph AH recites, wherein the housing access is configured to attach as a meter collar to the electrical utility meter. 
     AJ. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein the first communication module is further configured to communicate with the broadband access hub device using a first radio frequency (RF) spectrum, and wherein the second communication module is further configured to communicate with UEs using a second RF spectrum. 
     AK. The computer readable medium as paragraph AK recites, wherein the second communication module is further configured to use channels in the second RF spectrum to communicate with the UEs that are different from channels in the second RF spectrum used by a neighboring broadband access premise device. 
     AL. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein the first antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with the broadband access hub device. 
     AM. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein the second antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with one or more UEs of the plurality of UEs in communication with the broadband access premise device. 
     AN. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein the first communication module is further configured to communicate with the broadband access hub device in a millimeter wave spectrum. 
     AO. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein the first communication module is further configured to communicate with another broadband access hub device. 
     AP. A computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions, that when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to instruct modules to perform configured functions, the modules including: a fiber optic interface module configured to couple to a fiber optic broadband network for accessing broadband services; and a hub communication module coupled to the fiber optic interface module and a hub antenna, the hub communication module configured to communicate with a plurality of broadband access premise devices via the hub antenna for providing access to the broadband services, the hub antenna configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with broadband access premise devices of the plurality of broadband access premise devices in communication with the broadband access hub device. 
     AQ. The computer readable medium as paragraph AP recites, wherein the hub communication module is further configured to communicate with the plurality of broadband access premise devices in a millimeter wave spectrum. 
     AR. The computer readable medium as paragraph AP recites, wherein the broadband access hub device is configured to be mounted on a utility structure. 
     AS A broadband access premise device comprising: a first unit including a first antenna and a first communication module coupled to the first antenna, the first communication module configured to communicate with a broadband access hub device using a first telecommunication protocol via the first antenna for accessing broadband services available on a fiber optic broadband network through the broadband access hub device; a housing; one or more processors disposed in the housing, the one or more processors communicatively coupled to the first unit; a second antenna disposed in the housing; a second communication module disposed in the housing and communicatively coupled to the second antenna and the one or more processors, the second communication module configured to communicate with a plurality of user equipment (UEs) using a second telecommunication protocol via the second antenna for providing access to the broadband services to the UEs via the first communication module; and a power interface module disposed in the housing and coupled to the one or more processors, the first communication module, and the second communication module, the power interface module configured to supply electrical power to the one or more processors, the first communication module, and the second communication module from an electric utility meter. 
     AT. The broadband access premise device as paragraph AS recites, wherein the first unit is capable of being, at least one of: mounted remote from the housing, or disposed in the housing. 
     AU. The broadband access premise device as paragraph AT recites, wherein, if the broadband access premise device is mounted remote from the housing, the first unit is configured to be coupled to the one or more processors via a cable, and the power interface module is further configured to provide power to the first unit via the cable. 
     AV. The broadband access premise device as paragraph AS recites, wherein the power interface module is further configured to: read electrical information associated with the electric utility meter stored in memory of the electrical utility meter, and provide the electrical information to the first communication module, and wherein the first communication module is further configured to transmit the electrical information to a service entity associated with the electric utility meter via the broadband services. 
     AW. The broadband access premise device as paragraph AV recites, wherein the housing is configured to attach as a meter collar to the electrical utility meter. 
     AX. The broadband access premise device as paragraph AS recites, wherein the first communication module is further configured to communicate with the broadband access hub device using a first radio frequency (RF) spectrum, and wherein the second communication module is further configured to communicate with UEs using a second RF spectrum. 
     AY. The broadband access premise device as paragraph AX recites, wherein the second communication module is further configured to use channels in the second RF spectrum to communicate with the UEs that are different from channels in the second RF spectrum used by a neighboring broadband access premise device. 
     AZ. The broadband access premise device as paragraph AS recites, wherein the first antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with the broadband access hub device. 
     BA. The broadband access premise device as paragraph AS recites, wherein the second antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with one or more UEs of the plurality of UEs in communication with the broadband access premise device. 
     BB. The broadband access premise device as paragraph AS recites, wherein the first unit is further configured to communicate with another broadband access hub device. 
     BC. A broadband access hub device comprising: a hub antenna; a housing; a fiber optic interface module disposed in the housing, the fiber optic interface module configured to couple to a fiber optic broadband network for accessing broadband services available on the fiber optic broadband network; and a hub communication module disposed in the housing and coupled to the fiber optic interface module and the hub antenna, the hub communication module configured to communicate with a plurality of broadband access premise devices via the hub antenna for providing access to the broadband services, the hub antenna configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with broadband access premise devices of the plurality of broadband access premise devices in communication with the broadband access hub device. 
     BD. The broadband access hub device as paragraph BC recites, wherein the hub antenna is configured to be, at least one of: located remote from the housing, or disposed within the housing. 
     BE. The broadband access hub device as paragraph BC recites, wherein the hub communication module is further configured to communicate with the plurality of broadband access premise devices in a first radio frequency (RF) spectrum. 
     BF. The broadband access hub device as paragraph BC recites, wherein the broadband access hub device is configured to be mounted on a utility structure. 
     BG. A broadband access system comprising: a broadband access hub device coupled to a fiber optic broadband network; and one or more broadband access premise devices, wherein: the broadband access hub device is configured to: access broadband services available on the fiber optic broadband network, and provide access to the broadband services to the one or more broadband access premise devices by wirelessly communicating with the one or more broadband access premise devices using a first telecommunication protocol via a hub antenna of the broadband access hub device, and a broadband access premise device includes a housing, a first antenna, a second antenna disposed in the housing, and a power interface module disposed in the housing, the broadband access premise device is configured to: wirelessly communicate with the broadband access hub device via the first antenna remotely located from the housing using the first telecommunication protocol, communicate with a plurality of user equipment (UEs) via the second antenna using a second telecommunication protocol for providing access to the broadband services through the broadband access hub device, and supply electrical power via the power interface module to the broadband access premise device from an electric utility meter. 
     BH. The broadband access system as paragraph BG recites, wherein the broadband access premise device is further configured to use channels to communicate with the UEs that are different from channels used by a neighboring broadband access premise device. 
     BI. The broadband access system as paragraph BG recites, wherein the broadband access hub device and the broadband access premise device are further configured to communicate with each other through the hub antenna and the first antenna, respectively, in a first radio frequency (RF) spectrum. 
     BJ. The broadband access system as paragraph BG recites, the housing of the broadband access premise device is configured to attach as a meter collar to the electrical utility meter. 
     BK. The broadband access system as paragraph BG recites, wherein the broadband access premise device is further configured to: read electrical information associated with the electric utility meter stored in memory of the electrical utility meter, and transmit the electrical information to a service entity associated with the electric utility meter using the broadband services via the broadband access hub device. 
     BL. The broadband access system as paragraph BG recites, further comprising: another broadband access hub device coupled to the fiber optic broadband network, the other broadband access hub device configured to access broadband services available on the fiber optic broadband network and to provide access to the broadband services to at least one of the one or more broadband access premise devices by wirelessly communicating with the at least one of the one or more broadband access premise devices using the first telecommunication protocol via a hub antenna of the other broadband access hub device. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.