Fixed Wireless Access Services Expands to Enterprise Segment

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services have been playing an important role in providing broadband connectivity to areas unserved or underserved with fixed broadband infrastructure. Although fixed wireless access broadband services are initially focused for Small Office and Home (SOHO) and consumer use cases to enable broadband connectivity, industry players have started expanding FWA products to the enterprise segment. In February 2020, Inseego—a mobile broadband Customer-Premises Equipment (CPE) maker—announced that its Wavemaker PRO 5G indoor FWA router FG2000e is certified for use in Europe, North America, and Australia.

FWA services and CPE are not new in the broadband market, with a wide range of FWA CPE based on Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and already deployed across different markets. As operators roll out 5G networks, a number of CPE makers have already launched 5G FWA CPE. The majority of today’s FWA products are mostly targeted for SOHO and residential use cases. While residential CPE usually supports only one SIM, Inseego’s Wavemaker PRO includes unlocked dual-SIM to allow users to have control over their network choice and assurance on the reliability of network connection. It supports cloud-based management solution, WPA3 Wi-Fi security and advanced encryption, Open Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and Internet protocol security VPNs for enterprise-grade security.

At present, a majority of FWA service adoption are using LTE technology and therefore may not be suitable for enterprise applications that need to real-time data transfer at high speed and low latency. Utralow latency supported by 5G technology opens an opportunity for FWA services in enterprise use cases. Applications such as telehealth services can be very latency sensitive and may require fiber connectivity. FWA services using 5G technology are expected to enable such applications. One example—TeraGo, a Canadian business broadband operator—is expanding 5G FWA service trials in the Toronto, Ontario, area. The initial trials have achieved 1.5 Gbps, and the company is aiming to increase this to 10 Gbps in the future, using new CPE-supporting mmWave bands in the coming years.

The industry has witnessed the success of FWA services in residential segments, enabling consumers to use Internet-based entertainment and other applications. 5G FWA has now been introduced by many service providers to provide residential customers with fiber alternative broadband access. Verizon, EE, Vodafone, and Optus are some of the operators which have launched 5G FWA services. The list of 5G FWA service providers continues to increase as operators start rolling out 5G networks in different markets.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an urgent need for high-speed broadband connectivity in multiple sectors—from online shopping platforms and home offices to telehealth and online education—when one looks at the demand side. As home broadband use cases are presently no longer limited to consumer applications, such as entertainment and smart homes, service providers and device makers need to address the requirements of enterprise grade services and solutions. The enterprise market can now take advantage of 5G FWA to facilitate remote workforces, connectivity for branch offices, telehealth services, and connectivity for online education systems in a short time frame when fixed network infrastructure is unavailable or limited. Businesses have recognized the possibility and efficiency of remote workforces by having efficient connected technology, and a certain proportion of the workforce is likely to continue to work remotely even after the pandemic. FWA services can enable enterprises to facilitate remote working and a backup connectivity in office locations in case of a disruption in fixed internet connectivity. Inseego’s announcement and TeraGo’s ongoing trials indicate FWA market expansion on the enterprise market.

According to ABI Research market data, only less than 50% of worldwide households are connected to fixed broadband, leaving enough room for FWA services. 5G network rollouts will boost FWA adoption even faster, enabling high bandwidth, low latency applications in both consumer and enterprise use cases. To broaden the FWA investment, regulators need to assure enough spectrum allocation for different geographical areas, including suburban and rural areas. Considering FWA as a part of national broadband agenda and facilitating private-public investment for rural areas can speed up the service coverage. Service providers need to expand FWA to enterprise use cases to generate more revenue. Leveraging network slicing with 5G network expansions will enable service providers to divide their networks into virtual networks with varying capacities for consumers and enterprise use cases. Integration of solutions to support high security and consistent quality of service are crucial to boost enterprise adoption. Leveraging advanced Wi-Fi solutions and cloud-based network management solutions will be required to assure efficient FWA services for enterprise customers.