5G FWA takes Center Stage: A Global Shift in Wireless Broadband
fixed wireless Access (FWA) powered by 5G is no longer a future prospect – it’s the present reality for a growing number of users worldwide. Recent data reveals a significant turning point: for the first time,over half the globe – four out of seven regions - saw more than 50% of FWA Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) shipments being 5G-enabled in 2024. This represents a dramatic acceleration in adoption, signaling a fundamental change in how you access broadband internet.
From Early Adopters to Global Mainstream
Just a year prior, only the US and India reported similar levels of 5G FWA CPE shipments. Now,China and the broader Asia-Pacific region (RoAPAC) have joined the trend. North America and India are leading the charge with an notable 93% and 92% of their FWA CPE shipments now utilizing 5G technology, respectively.
Here’s a regional snapshot of 5G CPE shipment dominance:
* Asia-Pacific: 35% of global 5G CPE shipments in 2024.
* Middle East & Africa: 30% of global 5G CPE shipments in 2024.
This surge has propelled total 5G-enabled FWA shipments to 16.8 million units in 2024, establishing 5G as the mainstream choice for FWA deployments globally.
Continued Growth Projected for 2025
The momentum isn’t slowing down. Industry forecasts predict a 19% increase in consolidated FWA CPE shipments in 2025, reaching 20.1 million units. This growth will see 5G account for 57% of all shipments, a slight increase from the 60% observed in 2024. This continued expansion is fueled by wider operator adoption of 5G FWA and emerging technological advancements.
5G Standalone (SA) Dominates & Future Innovations
The vast majority of 5G FWA deployments are leveraging the benefits of 5G Standalone (SA) architecture. In 2024, 95% of all 5G CPE shipments supported 5G SA. Expect this trend to continue, with 5G SA-enabled CPE shipments projected to grow 11% to 17.7 million in 2025.
Beyond SA, several key innovations are poised to further accelerate FWA adoption:
* Millimeter Wave (mmWave): Shipments of mmWave-capable 5G CPE are expected to exceed one million in 2025, representing a substantial 47% year-over-year growth. mmWave is proving especially valuable in dense urban areas, targeted enterprise deployments, and bridging the digital divide in rural locations.
* 5G RedCap: A significant 41% of suppliers anticipate launching 5G RedCap-capable FWA products in 2025. This technology offers a compelling complementary option for FWA in markets transitioning away from LTE.
CPE Deployment Trends: Indoor solutions Lead the Way
When it comes to the physical equipment, indoor solutions are currently the moast popular. Here’s a breakdown of 2024 FWA CPE shipment types:
* Integrated Indoor CPE: 54%
* Battery-Operated Hotspots: 33%
* Outdoor CPE: 13%
* Notably,58% of outdoor CPE units are designed for flexible self-installation,both indoors and outdoors.
The Ecosystem is Working: A Collaborative Approach
John Yazlle, vice-chairman of the GSA 4G-5G FWA Forum, emphasizes that thes trends are a positive sign for the entire FWA supplier ecosystem. Increased spectrum availability and the evolution towards 5G-Advanced networks are further bolstering this growth. He highlights the prosperous collaboration between FWA CPE suppliers as a key driver of innovation.
“Today, the majority of vendors believe that the main benefit of AI capabilities for 5G FWA CPE lies in improved 5G connectivity performance and experience,” Yazlle notes. “Operators can continue to drive global growth through innovation
