Fixed Wireless Access has grown from a niche solution into a mainstream connectivity option. With its ability to rapidly deliver high-speed internet to underserved areas FWA has emerged as a compelling alternative and complement to traditional broadband. Now, propelled by the capabilities of 5G and artificial intelligence (AI), FWA is entering an exciting new phase promising not only faster connections but also smarter and more personalised network experiences.
The Rise of FWA in the 5G Era
The global momentum behind FWA is clear. According to the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), as of late 2024, 494 operators in 176 countries and territories had launched FWA services using LTE or 5G technologies. Among them, 169 were offering residential or business 5G FWA broadband services – up more than 300% since 2021. Europe leads the way with 72 commercially launched 5G FWA networks, followed closely by the Middle East and Africa.
This rapid growth is not only due to FWA’s ability to circumvent the limitations of fixed-line broadband infrastructure, especially in rural and remote regions, but also because of the increasing availability and affordability of 5G FWA Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). According to the GSA 4G-5G FWA Forum’s annual CPE vendor survey, 5G-enabled FWA shipments are now mainstream, reaching 10.2 million in 2023 and expected to accelerate further, accounting for 42% of shipments in 2024 compared with 34% in 2023.
But these stats only tell part of the story. As FWA becomes a core component of broadband strategy globally, the industry is shifting from a pure race for bandwidth toward delivering intelligent, adaptive services. This is ushering in the era of 5G+AI.
What AI Brings to the FWA Experience
Traditionally, FWA’s evolution focused on improvements in hardware, including better CPUs, more memory and faster modems. But the integration of AI redefines the value proposition of FWA by infusing intelligence at the edge, specifically into the CPE itself. This creates new opportunities for personalisation, automation and responsiveness that were not previously possible.
1. Smarter Network Performance
With AI integrated into 5G modem chips, FWA devices can perform real-time network optimisation. This includes dynamic spectrum management, throughput optimisation, and AI-assisted fault diagnosis. Modem and chipset vendors are collaborating to embed deep learning models into modem firmware, enabling self-healing capabilities and scenario-based customisation. Features such as “AI airport mode” to boost international roaming efficiency by 50%, and “AI outdoor hiking mode” to improve power efficiency by 10% in low-signal areas are bringing intelligence to FWA network performance.
2. Personalised Smart Home Integration
AI-powered 5G FWA CPE can serve as the control centre for increasingly complex smart home ecosystems. Leveraging the latest platforms and rich sensor arrays, AI-enhanced CPE can analyse environmental inputs and user behaviour to deliver personalised experiences. Covering areas such as health, security and automation, AI can transform FWA from a connectivity tool into a lifestyle enabler.
3. Enhanced Privacy and Security
Privacy is paramount in a world where connected devices collect vast amounts of personal data. AI enables local data processing, minimising the need to send sensitive information to the cloud. With on-device intelligence, FWA CPEs can enforce privacy protocols and enhance cybersecurity, utilising pattern recognition to detect threats or anomalies in real-time.
Generative AI: The Next Frontier
Beyond embedded intelligence, generative AI (Gen-AI) is now entering the FWA landscape. By integrating cloud-based models from providers like OpenAI and Deepseek, operators and users can now gain access to powerful subscription services and productivity tools through GenAI SDKs. For telecom operators, this opens up monetizable value-added services, while for end-users, it unlocks new creative and functional capabilities ranging from voice assistants to AI-driven content creation.
The business implications are profound. FWA devices are evolving into “computing power terminals,” which are not just gateways for data, but platforms for digital productivity and engagement.
Transformative Use Cases
At MWC 2025, Fibocom and Luxshare demonstrated how AI can redefine the role of FWA CPE in the home. By integrating Luxshare’s AI detection algorithms into the 5G CPE hardware, the solution eliminated the need for costly external high-definition cameras for home security. The AI-enhanced CPE became a multifunctional smart hub, combining connectivity, security, and intelligence in a single device.
This is just one of many use cases where AI transforms CPE from a passive conduit into an active digital assistant. Whether in the context of remote healthcare, immersive entertainment, or industrial IoT, the possibilities are rapidly expanding.
The Road Ahead: Toward 5G+AI Ecosystems
The next step in the FWA journey is building interoperable, AI-driven ecosystems that seamlessly blend connectivity, computing and content. This requires collaboration across device makers, chipset vendors, software developers and telecom operators.
This holistic approach to the AI stack combines hardware modularity, multi-platform software compatibility (OpenLinux, RDK-B, Yocto, OpenSync) and robust SDKs, to lay the groundwork for rapid deployment and customisation of AI-powered services. The result is a flexible, scalable foundation for the intelligent homes and businesses of tomorrow.
