Since the commercialization of 5G in 2019, over 50% of global 5G operators have incorporated FWA (fixed wireless access) as a key service. The number of 5G FWA subscribers surpassed 20 million by the end of 2023 and is projected to reach 300 million by 2028.
Globally, more than 164 operators have launched 5G FWA services, marking a significant evolution in connectivity solutions. Moreover, several operators have introduced 5G FWA leased lines tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Continuous Evolution
The evolution of FWA has unfolded in distinct tiers, each advancing connectivity and user experience.
4G FWA initially bridged the digital divide by bringing broadband to unconnected and underserved areas, expanding wireless connectivity where traditional infrastructure was lacking.
The advent of 5G then unlocked FWA’s full potential, enhancing spectral efficiency and delivering fiber-like speeds and low latency. As a result, the 5G FWA empowers high-bandwidth applications such as streaming and remote work seamless.
Now, 5G-Advanced (5G-A) FWA is unlocking the next frontier—the AI-powered smart home—where intelligent automation, ultra-responsive connectivity, and real-time optimization are redefining digital living.
Tylor Yang, VP of Huawei's 5G & LTE TDD Product Line, emphasized that from bridging the digital divide in the 4G era to delivering gigabit speeds in 5G, FWA has become pivotal for operators seeking rapid commercial returns. Looking ahead to 5G-A, FWA is set to be the cornerstone of smart home connectivity, leveraging its robust network capabilities to enrich home applications.
5G-A, compared to 5G, with 10 times network enhancement provides FWA with superior performance on downlink, uplink, latency and reliability. These improvements on FWA enables new smart home applications, broadening the connectivity to more SMEs.
Mature Ecosystem
The market has seen the introduction of over 700 types of 5G CPE (customer premises equipment). Prices for entry-level 5G CPEs are expected to drop below USD 50 by the second half of 2025, which enhances affordability and accessibility. Capability of high-end 5G CPEs are enhanced in many aspects with network performance upgrade by 3CC/mmWave and functions upgrade on self-optimization/interaction.
Having said that, with shipments of 5G-enabled FWA devices reaching 10.2 million in 2023, alongside sustained growth in the coming years, telecom operators agree that FWA synergizes effectively with fiber, driving business growth and revenue opportunities.
Global FWA Development Supported by Huawei
The Europe, and the Middle East were among the first regions to launch 5G and 5G FWA services.
With over 50% of FWA network construction being supported by Huawei, the company has established itself as a key player in advancing FWA technology and commercial deployment worldwide.
- Middle East: Leading 5G-A FWA Commercialization and Service Innovation
The year 2024 marks a pivotal moment for 5G-Advanced (5G-A) in the Middle East, with multiple GCC operators integrating 5G-A into their corporate strategies. FWA has emerged as a cornerstone of home broadband expansion, offering cost-effective, high-speed connectivity with rapid deployment. In markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, operators with existing fiber networks are now scaling their FWA offerings in parallel. This dual strategy not only strengthens their market share but also unlocks new revenue streams.
Governments within the GCC have already allocated additional spectrum to operators, while large-scale 5G-A network rollouts are underway in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, among other countries. This accelerated deployment underscores the Middle East’s leadership in 5G-A technology and lays the groundwork for advanced FWA services, including game service guarantees and premium broadband experiences.
- Europe: Expanding Connectivity with ‘One Site, One Village’
In Europe, FWA is playing a critical role in bridging the digital divide, particularly in rural areas. Operators are implementing a ‘One Site, One Village’ approach to extend broadband connectivity where fiber deployment remains challenging. With a focus on delivering premium user experiences, European operators are leveraging FWA as a complementary solution to fiber, ensuring reliable and high-speed access across underserved regions.
- China: Unlocking New Use Cases Despite High Fiber Penetration
Even with fiber coverage exceeding 90%, China is actively exploring new FWA applications. Emerging scenarios include smart agriculture, rental housing with frequent relocations, SME connectivity, and backup internet solutions. This diversification demonstrates how FWA can extend beyond traditional home broadband to serve dynamic and evolving connectivity needs.
- Asia, Africa, and Latin America: Affordable FWA for Mass Adoption
In developing markets, FWA serves as an essential tool for basic home connectivity at a lower cost. A notable example is a new telecom player in the Philippines, which views FWA as the most cost-efficient solution for nationwide 5G home broadband due to its faster installation and activation.
Huawei’s RedCap technology is a game-changer in these regions, optimizing 5G by reducing complexity and costs while delivering near-fiber speeds for mid-tier devices. RedCap also facilitates the self-installation of CPE, reducing costs from USD 35 to as low as USD 18.
By leveraging RedCap for affordability and 5G-A for premium users, operators in emerging markets aim to double home broadband penetration while expanding enterprise connectivity. This strategic approach positions FWA as a key driver of digital inclusion and economic growth worldwide.
Vision for FWA Evolution
As FWA continues to evolve, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a pivotal role in shaping its future.
AI-driven innovations are enhancing service provisioning, optimizing network management, and elevating user experiences—transforming FWA into a smarter, more efficient connectivity solution.
- AI for FWA: Intelligent Evolution with Huawei’s Easy FWAi
Huawei’s Easy FWAi solution is transforming FWA with AI-driven intelligence, covering the full process of FWA service development from pre-sales, in use to after-sales.
- Intelligent predication map allows accurate service provision for sustainable user growth.
- Intelligent service recognition makes it possible to enhance particular real-time streaming experience for customer satisfaction.
- Intelligent analysis provides visible and manageable operations for churn reduction.
These advancements collectively accelerate the evolution of end-to-end FWA services, making them more intuitive, efficient, and scalable.
According to Yang, the integration of AI into FWA is becoming increasingly widespread, not only in the FWA services development but also in 5G CPEs. Currently, 5G CPEs equipped with AI functions inside such as real-time translation, audio-to-text conversion, and cloud-based video processing will become the central control hub for smart homes.
- FWA for AI: Powering the Next-Generation Smart Home
As the industry moves into the mobile AI era, more and more smart home applications require multi-dimensional network capabilities. To keep the pace, FWA, upgraded by 5G-Advanced provides high-quality, ultra-reliable connectivity to support advanced AI applications.
Yang highlighted the diversity of future home application development trends. Since opportunities and challenges come together on AI home scenario, 5G-A FWA has no doubt to fulfil growing network requirements, creating new space for service-based monetization.
- Delivering Value: New Revenue Growth for Operators, Premium Experiences for Users
AI-powered FWA is not just about better connectivity service; it is about delivering premium experiences for users and offering new revenue streams for operators. Continuous FWA evolution will boost the whole AI home development, reshaping the future smart life for all.
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