FWA: Redefining the US Broadband Landscape

#5G #Telecom #FixedWireless #Broadband #Innovation #FWA

Open Signal study finds high-penetration FWA areas actually have better performance than lower density coverage deployments

5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is fundamentally reshaping the U.S. broadband landscape, reaching mainstream adoption and redefining the competitive dynamics.

The recent analysis reveals a surprising insight: areas with high FWA penetration actually outperform low-penetration FWA areas in terms of network quality—a testament to the resilience and scalability of 5G.

This rapid adoption is driven by Verizon and T-Mobile, who, without extensive wireline infrastructure investment, have added millions of FWA subscribers while continuing to boost mobile 5G speeds. The midband spectrum from T-Mobile’s acquisition of Sprint and Verizon’s C-band investments are key drivers of this performance.

FWA Has Dominated New US Broadband Adds Since 2022

Since mid-2022, FWA has absorbed all broadband subscriber growth in a mature U.S. market, with broadband penetration already at 97%. Today, 78% of U.S. homes have access to multiple broadband providers, including FWA, which has quickly become a viable, competitive alternative to traditional cable and fiber services.

From Alternative Solution to Mainstream ISP in 2 Years

Opensignal calls FWA the “secret sauce” for 5G monetization, and with its capacity to deliver quality, flexible broadband across urban, suburban, and rural areas, FWA has moved from an alternative solution to a mainstream broadband powerhouse. This trend signals a significant shift in how we think about—and provide—high-quality, scalable connectivity in the U.S.

Link to the full report: https://www.opensignal.com/2024/06/06/5g-fixed-wireless-access-fwa-success-in-the-us-a-roadmap-for-broadband-success-elsewhere

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