Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is finally emerging as a significant opportunity for service providers. As the demand for high-speed internet access grows, particularly in underserved areas, FWA offers a cost-effective and efficient solution. Our experts have recently compiled the strategies and insights necessary to navigate this promising yet challenging landscape.
5G Wireless Access market: an undeniable opportunity for Service Providers
The 5G Wireless Access market is booming, with recent predictions from GSMA indicating a 358% increase in connections across 70 countries by 2030, being India the largest market worldwide, with 46.5 million connections. This surge is driven by consumer demand for high-speed home broadband in hard-to-reach rural areas and the need for operators to monetize their 5G investments.
Forecasts predict a 358% increase in global 5G FWA connections by 2030
Source: GSMA
In the US, 5G fixed wireless access has seen rapid adoption, offering a quicker-to-deploy and lower-cost alternative to fiber-to-the-premises/business (FTTP/B). This facilitates bridging the digital divide in unserved and underserved regions, bringing a clear monetization opportunity for mobile operators, to the detriment of cablecos, as highlighted by Chetan Sharma in his latest US market update. On the other hand, this FWA opportunity also represents a heavy load for mobile networks and spectrum utilization, although an Analysys Mason report stated recently that an operator like “Verizon is confident that it has enough network capacity to accommodate further growth in the number of FWA connections in the long term”.
Globally, countries like Australia, Germany, and Saudi Arabia are also expected to see significant household penetration of 5G FWA. The appeal of Fixed Wireless Access lies in its ability to deliver speeds up to 10 times faster than 4G, rivaling traditional broadband technologies like fiber and cable. For operators, this means a vast, untapped market ripe for growth and revenue. This is why 50% of the service providers offering FWA already do it over 5G, as per the latest Ericsson’s mobility report.
The increased throughput and capacity provided by 5G means FWA is now a feasible substitute for fixed broadband from both an end user performance, and an operator business case point of view.
David Tulis, CRO at Infovista
FWA challenges: what service providers must overcome to realize the promise
Despite its potential, deploying and monetizing FWA networks is not without challenges.
Deliver consistent high-speed connectivity in rural and urban areas
Operators must navigate the complexities of 5G technology, including the need to provide seamless, high-speed connectivity in both remote and urban environments. This involves significant investment in infrastructure and technology, often under economic constraints where CAPEX is tight and OPEX pressures are high.
Choose the relevant business case
The business case for FWA varies greatly depending on market characteristics, existing infrastructure, and competitive landscapes. Operators need to carefully assess the state of fixed-line broadband coverage and their own technological capabilities. If ultra-fast fiber broadband is already available, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) must offer distinct advantages in terms of cost and performance to be a viable alternative.
Anticipate the surge of data
Additionally, the surge in data usage driven by 5G connectivity presents another layer of complexity. Ensuring a consistent and reliable user experience comparable to fixed broadband services is critical for customer satisfaction and retention.
Harnessing automation and AI for optimal Fixed Wireless Access profitability
The complexity of 5G and the unique demands of FWA require innovative approaches to ensure profitability and operational efficiency. Embracing automation and AI can enhance the deployment, optimization, and assurance of FWA networks for a variety of cases:
1) Streamlining FWA planning and deployment
By leveraging automated workflows and integrating ML/AI into them, RF planners can get on-demand, data-informed FWA planning, increasing the efficiency and accuracy of FWA planning processes.
2) Optimizing User Experience of OTT apps and services
The data usage patterns of FWA subscribers are significantly more demanding than those of traditional mobile users, necessitating robust testing mechanisms to ensure network performance. Automation, particularly through user interface (UI) automation, allows CSPs to efficiently test a variety of OTT applications and services.
3) Ensuring FWA network reliability
Effective service assurance in FWA networks hinges on the ability to correlate data across different network domains. AI and ML enhance this capability by providing advanced anomaly detection and predictive insights.
Navigating the path to success: Infovista’s guide to FWA services profitability
To embark on a profitable journey to Fixed Wireless Access, CSPs need to embrace a practical approach to automation across network planning, testing and assurance.
Infovista’s team of business leaders and technology experts have put together their knowledge in our eBook, "Optimize Your FWA Network Experience and Maximize Profitability" covering:
- Planning and scaling FWA networks: learn how to effectively plan and scale your FWA networks to meet growing demand while maintaining operational efficiency.
- Optimizing and assuring real-time end-user experience: discover strategies to optimize network performance and ensure a seamless, high-quality experience for your customers.
- Automating network planning, testing, and assurance: understand the importance of real-time data-driven automation in streamlining processes and enhancing operational efficiency.
The journey to deploying and operating a successful FWA network is fraught with challenges, but the rewards are substantial. Download "Optimize Your FWA Network Experience and Maximize Profitability" today and get access to the insights and tools to overcome the obstacles and capitalize on the growing demand for high-speed wireless broadband.
Stay ahead in the competitive world of telecommunications by optimizing your FWA network and ensuring the best possible experience for your customers. Let our expert insights guide you to success.
Related resources on FWA:
- eBook: Network Planning for Fixed Wireless Access
- Webinar: How to successfully plan Fixed Wireless Access networks with Planet
- Whitepaper: Understanding mmWave
- Press Release: Planet RF planning solution features new capabilities for 5G FWA planning and O-RAN network visualization
