Fixed wireless access is emerging as a promising technology that can help bridge the digital divide and change the way users connect to the internet. FWA is attracting more attention than traditional wired network connections because it can provide high-speed broadband even in remote and underserved areas.
FWA is still relatively new and in the early stages of its growth curve. However, as the proliferation of mobile devices slows down traditional wireless, service providers will need to find new growth areas such as FWA. Jeff Kagan, an Atlanta-based wireless analyst, said FWA can serve both individual and business consumers.
“FWA will allow customers to choose a broadband wireless connection to replace their current wired connection,” he said. “FWA growth will continue.”
FWA offers an alternative to traditional wireless
According to Peter Rysavy, president of Rysavy Research, 5G technology now offers a viable and competitive alternative to wired broadband. As a result, mobile network operators (MNOs) in the United States offer their FWA services to millions of consumers, including both businesses and individual users.
“Both mid-band and millimeter wave spectrum are being used, with millimeter wave offering higher speeds and higher capacity, and mid-band offering longer range,” Risavi said.
The US broadband market has historically been defined as:
- voice.
- internet.
- Also called cable television triple play.
- Cable TV with Mobile, aka quad play.
Earl J. Lum, president of EJL Wireless Research LLC, said the top MNOs, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, can address all four of these considerations.
“The convergence of fixed and mobile has been slow, but FWA has accelerated mobile carriers to take advantage of something cable companies don’t have: spectrum,” Lam said.
MNOs are currently developing FWAs in rural and underserved areas before starting to expand into urban markets, he added.
Benefits and challenges of FWA strategies
FWA has several benefits, but one of its biggest is that it serves as a competitive alternative to wired connectivity options. Risavi said FWA costs less when combined with mobile services.
However, implementing FWA also presents some challenges. One downside is that the signal isn’t strong in some places. Rysavy said MNOs may limit the number of FWA users to avoid capacity exhaustion, especially when using mid-band spectrum. However, over time, carriers will increase their capacity to support more connections.
FWA gives you more control, but depending on your location, some FWA connections are faster and more consistent than others. Kagan said some users say the service is adequate, while others say service speeds and connections vary.
“Consistency is key, and FWA is still inconsistent,” he said.
He added that while FWA is a great service for consumers and businesses, it will take time before it is available to everyone. In the meantime, carriers need to prepare their networks and geographies to provide high-quality, consistent service, he said.
Factors influencing the 5G FWA market
Rural service prices and overall costs are factors that positively impact the 5G FWA market, Lam said.
“Case studies show that some people in rural and underserved areas don’t want to pay for services,” Lamb said.
Some participants may be convinced to enroll in FWA only if they receive state-level subsidies, he added. Additionally, factors such as coverage, availability, and performance influence the decision, especially when radio frequency (RF) links use the mmWave spectrum.
Unlike fiber, coax, or sub-6 GHz frequencies, mmWave frequencies in the 24 GHz to 47 GHz range are susceptible to rain and weather obstructions that can affect connectivity and overall speed. Mr. Lam says that there is a gender. Bad weather can disrupt your wireless signal and cause you to lose your broadband connection.
Capacity constraints, especially in the mid-band spectrum, are another challenge to the growth of the 5G FWA market. However, small cells and mmWave technology will enable increased capacity in many deployment scenarios, Risavi said.
According to Lum, other challenges MNOs need to address to grow the market include:
- How many locations are in rural and underserved areas? What is the penetration rate in this market?
- How quickly can MNOs address coverage issues and improve utilization?
- How quickly can MNOs implement FWA in urban areas?
- How can MNOs efficiently use spectrum between FWA and mobile services?
“It will take time for each carrier to build out its network in its own business area and footprint,” Kagan said. “At the same time, prices have to be competitive and innovation has to be high. The challenge is to offer customers something they don’t already have.”
A large potential customer base is at stake
According to Rysavy, different MNOs have different approaches to 5G FWA. For example, T-Mobile is focused on mid-band spectrum, and Verizon is working on mmWave. Over time, each method of FWA will gain millions of users.
Although FWA is available to both businesses and consumers, currently most of the interest in FWA deployment focuses on how FWA provides connectivity to individual users. Powerful FWA connectivity enables individuals to connect to corporate networks, especially in remote locations where connectivity options are limited.
Roughly 60 million people in the United States live in rural areas, Lamb said. An August 2021 report from the Pew Research Center found that 72% of these residents already have some type of broadband internet service.
“That leaves 16.8 million people who can’t connect for one reason or another, whether it’s cost or pricing,” Lam said. He added that 20% to 50% of unconnected customers could sign up if subsidies were available. For the remaining 50% of his customers (already connected customers) he may resort to FWA.
Market growth potential
The growth potential of the 5G FWA market is impressive, especially as the technology continues to improve. Rissavi said potential capabilities include leveraging higher RF, implementing wireless repeaters, and developing new technologies.
According to Kagan, FWA success boils down to quality of service, connectivity, reliability, speed, and latency.
David Weldon is a business and technology writer in the Boston area who covers topics related to data management, information security, healthcare technology, education technology, and workforce management.
