Page 20 - SAMENA ELITE - Jan-Mar 2024
P. 20
ARTICLE
20 JAN-MAR 2024
Re-defining 5G
Deployment
Success: GSA’s
Perspectives
on FWA Growth
Julien Grivolas
Chairperson
GSA 4G-5G FWA Forum Trends
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is in this segment closing 2023 with 4.8 services depending on the package
proving to be a life changer by million FWA subscribers, well on its similar to what it offers using fiber
ensuring the availability of strong way to reach its target of 7-8 million (https://rilstaticasset.akamaized.
and reliable wireless broadband subs by end 2025. In Europe, new 5G net/sites/default/files/2023-
connectivity to people wherever they FWA networks are also rapidly being 09/19092023-MR-JIO-ANNOUNCES-
are, whatever they do. 5G FWA is launched and there were already LAUNCH-OF-JIO-AIRFIBER.pdf).
currently one of the hottest topics in 66 commercial 5G FWA networks in
the industry, and is seeing a strong EC-27 countries in November 2023 In addition, many countries or regions
market traction all around the world, (https://gsacom.com/paper/fwa- position broadband connectivity as
especially from policy, regulatory, market-november-2023/). a new vital commodity and some
and business perspectives. This is have put Digital as a key pillar of their
true for developing as well as for However, there is still a lot to be done. Economy Recovery plans. Without
developed economies. Notably, Let’s not forget that, according to a doubt, FWA should play a critical
FWA has emerged as a prime the State of Broadband report 2023 role in these strategic plans and help
monetization use-case for 5G (https://www.broadbandcommission. bringing broadband connectivity
deployments all over the globe, and org/download/7121), there are with all its related socio-economic
particularly in the markets of North still 2.6 billion people who remain benefits to all quickly, and not having
America, Europe, Asia, Central Asia, unconnected. Covid-19 further to wait 5 or 10 years. Thanks to its
and the Middle East. demonstrated the critical need quick Time to Market, low TCO, high
for broadband access for all. In capabilities and smooth evolution
In the US, industry analysts estimated developing economies, we also path, 3GPP FWA is the answer.
that FWA captured more than 90% see good progress and we can In particular, 5G combined with
of new US broadband customers in mention initiatives such as those FWA has already further unlocked
2022 (https://www.telecoms.com/ of Airtel and Jio in India who both new business opportunities for
wireless-networking/fixed-wireless- recently launched 5G FWA services. operators and enlarged the world of
access-is-booming-in-the-us) and In the case of Jio, since September possibilities for end-users. This is just
that the FWA momentum continues 2023, JioAirFiber brings high-speed the beginning.
to increase. For example, T-Mobile connectivity (up to 1Gbps) together
US keeps reporting record net adds with a range of TV and streaming
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