What is 5G Fixed Wireless Access?
5G FWA services provide high-speed internet connectivity to private and public entities. Instead of using the fiber optic cable setups, fixed wireless access relies on 5G mobile networks. The biggest advantage of this technology is that it can provide internet access in areas where installing miles of cables wouldn't be practical (such as rural areas).
5G FWA ensures seamless connectivity with minimal investment. Providers no longer have to dig miles of ditches to spread cables. Instead, simply having a Wi-Fi router in your home allows you to gain a direct connection to the web. 5G FWA can be used for various devices, ranging from smartphones, TVs, PCs, and IoT applications.
Given all the advantages of 5G FWA, more and more companies are switching to this solution. For example, businesses turn to our Axyom.Core solution when they want to upgrade their 4G network to a modern 5G and unlock new revenue streams. As an advanced broadband service, it enables brands to benefit from control and user plane separation, as well as network slicing.
In this article, we'll explain the technology behind 5G FWA and how these networks ensure high-speed internet access. We'll also explain the differences between 5G FWA and traditional broadband, and why the former is a preferred choice among companies.
How does 5G FWA work technically?
Basically, the technology used for 5G FWA is the same as for the mobile networks, ensuring reliable connectivity. As the name implies, providers use a wireless technology, which is much less reliant on underlying infrastructure compared to coaxial cables, fibre optics, and DSL.
Fixed wireless access relies on radio signals from cell towers and base stations nearby. The signal is sent to a receiver in your home, such as an antenna or a router. When the local device "catches" the wireless signal, it distributes it around the receiver via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
5G is much more suitable for FWA technology than 4G or LTE. Fixed wireless access in 5G networks ensures a greater capacity, lower latency, and higher speed compared to 4G and LTE FWA. In fact, 5G FWA is similar to fiber optics in terms of overall performance.
These networks rely on several key components, including CPE devices (customer premise equipment), small cells, and mmWave and sub-6 GHz spectrum. When it comes to CPE, the majority of people use indoor routers with multiple antennas integrated within the device. However, you can also utilize outdoor units and integrated Wi-Fi gateways.
5G FWA has quickly become a powerhouse on the fixed broadband market by relying on beamforming technology and offering high bandwidth and low latency. Beamforming allows us to focus the signal in a certain direction, enhancing coverage, improving data rates, and signal strength. Low latency ensures almost instant data transfer, while high bandwidth facilitates numerous connected devices.
5G FWA vs Traditional Broadband
Here's how 5G FWA compares to some of the best traditional broadband services:
1. Fiber Optic
- Deployment Speed and Cost: Requires various permits and slow trenching. It comes with massive capital expenditures.
- Performance and Reliability: The technology is considered extremely reliable while offering speeds of up to 10 Gbps. This makes it fantastic for enterprise solutions, video conferencing, cloud computing, IoT, and other devices.
- Last-Mile Infrastructure: Generally considered very costly, especially in remote areas. The crew has to spread physical cables all the way to a home or office.
2. Cable
- Deployment Speed and Cost: Cable setups are considered moderate, as they utilize existing coaxial lines. It is a cheaper solution than fiber.
- Performance and Reliability: One of the biggest issues with these networks is that you have to share bandwidth with other users, which reduces their speed during peak hours. Cable networks have moderate reliability, depending on the quality of the coaxial cable as well as the signal load.
- Last-Mile Infrastructure: Easy and cheap to perform last-mile upgrades.
3. DSL
- Deployment Speed and Cost: The most cost-effective solution out of the three. The technology commonly uses old phone lines.
- Performance and Reliability: DSL is not reliable at long distances and offers a speed of only 100 Mbps. The line condition and distance have a major impact on its reliability.
- Last-Mile Infrastructure: Relies on copper lines and is characterized by the worst performance out of the three.
5G FWA providers recommend the solution for remote locations and underserved areas. It allows for rapid deployment, as you don't have to wait for permits from the local government. Another benefit of 5G FWA is that it's very effective in areas with frequent disasters, as it can restore connectivity fast.
5G FWA Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases
There are numerous use cases where 5G fixed wireless access outperforms some other network solutions:
Residential Broadband Replacement
5G FWA is an optimal solution when there aren't enough cable setups in an area, or when the cable infrastructure is too expensive to replace. These networks enhance rural connectivity, as you don't require the same expensive infrastructure to deploy the solution. Gated communities or newly built urban areas often gain a lot of value by quickly deploying 5G FWA for residents.
Enterprise Last-Mile Connectivity
These networks are a great solution when the cost of last-mile connectivity is too high. 5G FWA is an enterprise-grade solution that is quick to deploy and ensures business continuity. This makes it excellent for small and medium companies in underserved zones or temporary offices.
Smart Cities and Public Infrastructure
Unlike some older legacy networks, 5G FWA doesn't care about network congestion. It is able to facilitate numerous devices over a small area, while streamlining network management. The combination of easy installation and low cost makes fixed wireless access FWA a great choice in different situations.
Temporary Networks for Events or Disaster Recovery
If you're looking for optimal performance during a concert, sports tournament, or other event, consider 5G fixed wireless access. The technology doesn't rely on existing cable infrastructure, and you can deploy it within hours.
Edge Networks for Industrial IoT or Remote Operations
5G FWA facilitates mission-critical systems with great ease. As such, it has become a gold standard in industries such as manufacturing, oil and gas, healthcare, and agriculture. These networks offer seamless connectivity for devices that rely on high quantities of data. Companies often use it to enhance job site safety and introduce automation.
4 Benefits of 5G FWA for Network Operators and Enterprises
FWA customers often cite the following benefits as the main reason why they're using this technology:
1. Faster Time-to-Market for ISPs and Telecoms
Whether you're using cable or fiber optic, you'll need months and months to gather all the permits and plan deployment. Compared to that, FWA services can be introduced within days, making the technology ideal for telecoms that want to save money and acquire new FWA subscribers fast.
2. Reduced Infrastructure Overhead
Not only do cables require a massive initial investment, but you also have to spend money over time on maintenance. Capital expenses for 5G FWA are especially low when it comes to last-mile deployment. All of this is very important as it allows providers to capitalize on existing mobile networks.
3. Scalability With SDN/NFV and Cloud-Native Cores
5G FWA services can be scaled with network function virtualization and software-defined networking. The integration of technologies is vital for network slicing, allowing for various use cases. Another advantage for operators comes in the form of real-time traffic steering. We also have to mention centralized orchestration of network services.
4. Revenue Diversification Through Enterprise and B2B Use Cases
Given that the technology is suitable for various FWA clients, operators are able to maximize and diversify their revenues. You can penetrate many markets, including IoT, event organizers, industrial automation, smart city construction, and more.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite the fact that 5G networks offer increased capacity and higher speeds, they come with their fair share of issues:
Spectrum Availability and Regulatory Hurdles
Certain spectrums, such as millimeter wave and mid-band spectrum, might not be available. Specifically, there might be too many regulatory hurdles to overcome, or they might come with a high price tag. This is why it's vital for operators to get acquainted with the local laws before entering new markets.
Line-of-Sight Issues and Propagation Limits
A big problem with 5G FWA is that signal strength is often lost due to obstacles. Thick residential walls, trees, and other obstacles can pose a major hindrance, which affects the 5G FWA's usefulness in large urban areas. Companies often address this challenge by carefully planning the cell tower placement.
Equipment Cost and Consumer Hardware Limitations
Although fixed wireless access solutions are generally cheaper than optical cables, CPE and mmWave radios are much more expensive than standard routers. Furthermore, you must hire veteran technicians to oversee the installation of these towers. Another issue with the infrastructure is that it consumes enormous quantities of electricity, which is something you must consider beforehand.
Network Planning Complexity
If you're relying on high-frequency bands, such as mmWave, you'll have to carefully plan your tower placement. In many cases, operators thread a fine line between coverage and capacity, often sacrificing one in favor of the other. There are other logistical challenges you must consider, such as power access and backhaul.
What Are the Limitations of 5G FWA?
As mentioned, one of the technology's biggest limitations is the line-of-sight or lack thereof. As mmWaves have a very short range, you'll need numerous cell towers to compensate, driving infrastructure expenses up. There's also a question of sharing the resources with other FWA subscribers.
The Role of Axyom.Core in Enabling 5G FWA
As a carrier-grade platform, Axyom.Core offers unparalleled agility and resilience, coupled with low latency. Here are some of the things new FWA customers can expect when they start using our solution:
- Ultra-Low Latency and High Throughput: Our solution reduces latency by placing UPF at the edge. The microservices architecture ensures minimal overhead for processing.
- Scalable Edge Computing and Intelligent Routing: We have integrated edge nodes with UPF and CPF. Through dynamic scaling, we are able to adjust to users' demands based on location. Our optimised services not only deliver in rural areas, but also work magic in urban environments.
- Seamless Orchestration and Real-Time Traffic Optimization: Our FWA technology automates orchestration across core, edge, and RAN. It allows users to allocate resources, manage sessions, and perform QoS enforcement in real time.
We rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict changes in traffic and detect anomalies, optimising usage and increasing security. Through automatic policy modifications, resource scaling, and routing decisions, users can squeeze much more value from their 5G networks.
Axyom.Core is a perfect solution for large enterprises and telcos. It offers companies a way to quickly deploy a customized network solution based on their unique requirements. Our 5G FWA is an excellent choice for latency-sensitive services, ensuring that you get full value when using IoT, modern industrial machines, and similar devices.
Future Outlook and Innovation Potential
The global revenue for 5G FWA should increase to $100 billion by 2030. This means it should have a more than 40% CAGR from 2023 to 2030. The service will be increasingly affected by artificial intelligence, leveraging Open RAN and AI-driven edge to accelerate innovation, enhance maintenance and security, and introduce other improvements.
Solutions like Axyom.Core will make high-speed internet access easier than ever, especially in underserved and rural areas, thus closing the digital divide. In fact, providers will likely eliminate blind spots when introducing new cell towers, ensuring full coverage in cities.
The technology is vital for smart grids, autonomous vehicles, and urban automation. 5G fixed wireless access FWA will reduce energy consumption on a global level and improve security in certain urban areas. It will allow us to improve urban traffic by relying on smart intersections.
Conclusion
5G FWA will finally put an end to the digital divide. It will allow everyone access to high-speed internet, no matter where they live. Furthermore, the infrastructure is much easier and cheaper to deploy than fiber optics. 5G fixed wireless access offers unparalleled connectivity, boasting a high median performance.