5G Fixed Wireless Access – Success in the US
5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) has emerged as a transformative use case driving the widespread deployment of 5G technology. Since 2018, many markets around the globe have embraced 5G FWA services, with the U.S. leading the charge. By analyzing the evolution and impact of 5G FWA services in the U.S., Opensignal provides valuable insights and conclusions that can guide and inform other global markets embarking on their own 5G FWA journeys.
Key Findings
• 5G FWA has reshaped the US broadband market. It has allowed U.S. mobile operators to rapidly expand their broadband footprints for minimal incremental network investment. This has seen 5G FWA absorb all broadband subscriber growth in the market since mid- 2022.
• FWA is the secret sauce for 5G monetization. FWA benefits from lower prices compared to wireline competition, access to existing mobile retail channels and subscribers, and the ability to deliver a “good enough” broadband service.
• U.S. mobile networks have proven to be resilient. Despite adding millions of 5G FWA subs since 2021, 5G speeds on T-Mobile and Verizon’s mobile networks have continued to improve. Their success in managing FWA traffic is due to a variety of factors, including plentiful access to mid-band spectrum, localized load management, and differences in peak usage time of day patterns between mobile and FBB usage.
• Elsewhere, there are mixed results. In India, Jio is seeing no discernible impact from FWA on the mobile experience of its users, while in Saudi Arabia Zain is seeing the additional load on its network from FWA having a greater influence on mobile users’ experience, depending on the time of day or the level of FWA penetration.
5G Fixed Wireless Access – US
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