Infovista | Optimize your FWA network experience | eBook

Learn how to optimize FWA across the network lifecycle for maximum profitability with insights from industry experts and real-world case studies.

Optimize your FWA network experience and maximize profitability

EBOOK

Contents

Introduction

FWA market opportunity for fixed and mobile CSPs

CSP challenges for FWA monetization

How to plan and scale FWA profitably

How to deploy and optimize your network for FWA

How to assure FWA networks, services and experiences

The role of automation in optimizing FWA profitability

Case study: FWA planning with an ROI of 1000%+

Key takeaways

Learn more and explore our resources

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Introduction Author: Marc Serra, Chief Operating Officer

Connections growing globally for FWA Global 5G FWA connections (million)

5G promises higher throughputs, greater capacity and lower latency. This translates into broadband connectivity fast enough for VR interactive gaming, industry 2.0 robotic control or real- time vehicle communication. It means business-critical levels of reliability, backed up by service-level agreements. Or so

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Source GSMA Intelligence 2025

Data correct to 30 June 2022.

the 5G use case promise goes. However, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), which started with limitations with 4G, has been the most monetized 5G use case thus far. 5G Fixed Wireless Access connections are growing globally and revenue opportunities are clear. As we explore in this ebook, FWA is currently capturing over 90% of the fixed broadband net adds in the US. Globally, it generated $29.5 billion in revenue for mobile operators in 2023, and is forecast to grow to over $67 billion over the next four years.

But how can CSPs ensure that they not only seize this FWA opportunity but do so profitably and without congesting their networks? In this ebook, our team of business leaders and technology experts explore the most relevant issues CSPs are facing as they look to optimize their FWA network experience and maximize profitability. We look at the FWA opportunity for both fixed and mobile CSPs and how understanding the characteristics of the market is the first step in delivering a compelling experience and profitable service.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

How can CSPs ensure that they not only seize the FWA opportunity but do so profitably?

From planning and scaling FWA networks to optimizing and assuring their real-time end-user experience, there are challenges at every step. The complexity of 5G technology; the need to connect remote areas or dense urban environments; the dramatic increase in data usage that high-speed 5G connectivity unleashes; the need to deliver a seamless experience comparable to fixed broadband over a mobile network. Building and operating a FWA network profitably means being able to address all this and more, but against an economic backdrop where CAPEX is being squeezed and OPEX is under pressure. Streamlining processes and workflows is vital. Extracting maximum value out of the network is essential. To embark on a profitable journey to Fixed Wireless Access, CSPs need to embrace a practical approach to automation across network planning, testing and assurance. Join us as we explain how real-time data-driven automation can streamline processes and improve operational efficiency, enabling you to meet and exceed your FWA monetization objectives.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

FWA market opportunity for fixed and mobile CSPs Author: David Tulis, Chief Revenue Officer

Operators, both fixed and mobile, have been delivering Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services around the world for many years. What began as services associated with mobile phones, dongles and MiFi hotspot devices, are now wireless services for business and residential customers for whom it is their primary broadband connection and

FWA is currently capturing more than 90% of the fixed broadband net adds in the US.

accessed through mains-powered FWA CPE devices. In a relatively short time, FWA broadband has become a mainstream service offer for CSPs, with GSA reporting that as of the end of 2023, 554 operators in 187 countries and territories were selling 4G or 5G-based FWA services. 1 The increased throughput and capacity provided by 5G means FWA is now a feasible substitute for fixed broadband from both an end- user performance, and an operator business case, point of view. This is creating new growth and CSP revenue opportunities for FWA. According to CCS Insight, fixed wireless access generated $29.5 billion in revenue for mobile network operators in 2023 – and forecast to grow to $67.3 billion by 2027. 2

Source: Ericsson, 2024

Ericsson in its recent FWA Insights report predicts that by 2029, FWA connections will grow by 200 million and account for 30% of all mobile network data traffic. 3 The growth in FWA services and subscriptions is making a tangible difference to CSPs’ bottom lines. In the US, T-Mobile consistently added around half a million FWA customers to its network every quarter over a two-year period and is forecast to reach its goal of 7-8 million total FWA customers by 2025. 4 Meanwhile, Verizon has passed over 3 million FWA subscriptions, across both consumer (1.86 million) and business (1.2 million) customers. 5

1. GSA: Fixed Mobile Access: Global Status Update (November 2023), p.3 2. CCS Insight, Fixed Wireless Access Forecast to Create Revenue of $67 Billion by 2027 (31 January 2024)

3. Ericsson, Fixed Wireless Access Insights 2024, p.4 4. Mike Dano, “Why T-Mobile’s FWA growth will slow” (Light Reading: 26 January 2024 5. Jeff Baumgartner , “Verizon’s FWA base crosses 3M mark” (Light Reading: 23 January 2024)

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

With numbers like these, and the fact that FWA is currently capturing more than 90% of the fixed broadband net adds in the US 6 , it makes sense that every CSP is assessing the potential benefits FWA could bring to their business.

The revenue opportunity in terms of attracting new subscribers with FWA connectivity is clear. But is it as simple as “build it and they will come?”

According to GSA, an operator’s decision about whether to offer services will be shaped by four key factors: 7

What is the current state of coverage for fixed-line broadband services in the country or territory? There is significant variation globally in the level of both fixed and mobile broadband coverage. While the OECD average for the percentage of fixed broadband subscriptions with contracted speeds faster than 30Mpbs and 100Mbps is 60.8%, some countries such as Korea, Chile, Spain, Sweden and Japan are over 90% for >100Mbps, and in the case of Korea a near-universal 99.8% for 30Mbps. 8 Dig into FWA deployments, and there is similarly great variation. While Europe has led the way so far with FWA deployments, accounting for roughly half of all 5G FWA networks, emerging markets in Asia and Africa are expected to lead the next wave of market boom. 9 In these markets, where there is more limited fixed broadband coverage, FWA will become the primary internet access method for millions. 1 Are there many remote regions with little to no broadband availability? In some markets, such as the UK, regulators enforce Universal Service Obligations which give subscribers the legal right to request a “decent, affordable broadband connection” of 10 Mbit/s download and 1 Mbit/s upload – i.e. “decent enough” for streaming services such as Netflix and regular online activity. What’s more, if the cost of building or upgrading a subscriber’s individual share of the network connection is £3,400 or less, they won’t have to pay for this work to be done with all the cost borne by the CSP. 10 Extend this across multiple remote regions with no or very poor fixed broadband, and the CAPEX liability on the CSP can be significant. In these remote, underserved regions, FWA will not only deliver an experience far in excess of “decent”, it is the only economically viable solution. 2

6. Ericsson , Fixed Wireless Access Insights 2024, p.7 7. GSA , Fixed Mobile Access, Global Status Update (November 2023), p.4 8. OECD Broadband Statistics (December 2022)

9 . CCS Insight , Fixed Wireless Access Forecast to Create Revenue of $67 Billion by 2027 (31 January 2024) 10. OFCOM , Your right to a decent broadband service: What you need to know (8 August 2023)

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Does the operator provide a fixed network at all and how advanced is that network is from a technology perspective? 5G can offer significant improvements to the end customer experience in terms of throughput and capacity compared to not only LTE-based FWA services but also many fixed broadband technologies based on copper, coax and fiber. However, if subscribers are already able to access ultra-fast full fiber broadband, the equation changes. To be monetizable, FWA has to be understood as part of a comprehensive service offering – it has to fill a gap, service a need, and deliver an experience and value that subscribers can otherwise not access. Similarly, to be economical, deploying an FWA network has to require less CAPEX and deliver a superior ROI compared to any existing fixed network infrastructure. 3 Have the operator’s rivals introduced an FWA service? So, we have a technology gap to be addressed, a CAPEX driver and a service need that must be fulfilled. But what about simple competitive pressure? We’ve seen how in the US fixed wireless access services are enabling CSPs to add millions of subscribers. It should be no surprise then to see that the US market also has the highest number of operators marketing regional or national FWA services. 11 Where one operator introduces an FWA home broadband service, its rivals often quickly follow. The market opportunity is as much about protecting revenue as it is about creating new revenue. Underlying it all is a real sense of operator FOMO – fear of missing out. 4

Key takeaway

The business case for each operator will vary, shaped by the characteristics of its market, existing infrastructure and competitive landscape. Understanding this context is the first step in delivering an FWA network that is capable of delivering a compelling experience and profitable service.

11. GSA , Fixed Mobile Access: Global Status Update (November 2023), p.5

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

CSP challenges for FWA monetization Author: Chris Botting, Chief Product Officer

Where does Fixed Wireless Access make sense? With a wireless network up and running, adding FWA subscribers is relatively quick and simple. There is no trenching of cables and other disruptive construction required. So why does FWA not make sense everywhere? In the not-too-distant future, wireless technologies such as 6G will be able to address all broadband use cases. For now, FWA cannot quite deliver the performance and capacity at scale that cable and fiber can. Therefore, at present FWA is best suited to areas where cable and fiber are not feasible options or are expensive to deploy. Rural, semi-rural and suburban areas are often well-suited. For CSPs who wish to add FWA subscribers to their existing mobile network, it makes sense to offer FWA even in areas where other broadband options are available. In this scenario, it is important to be careful when signing up FWA subscribers so as to not overwhelm the mobile network and impact existing subscribers.

Every CSP is different. The business case and scale of the opportunity will vary, and

each operator will need to develop its own services based on its understanding of the market in which it is operating and competing. The same is true when it comes to challenge of monetizing the opportunity. How can they effectively and efficiently plan, deploy and operate an FWA network that will enable them to profitably monetize the opportunity? Let’s start by taking a step back. There are two primary groups where offering FWA services will likely make sense: • Mobile network operators can leverage their existing network infrastructure to serve new FWA customers, realizing an additional revenue stream for very little additional network expenditure. • Broadband providers can supplement their existing fixed-line offerings with FWA and leverage their brand to capture new subscribers. This scenario will require the CSP to deploy a wireless network to be able to offer FWA. With significantly more spending required, assessing the business case becomes critical.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Matching market potential to the reality The primary challenge with FWA is to ensure a stable connection with good throughput and low latency. To achieve higher throughputs and good site capacity, so multiple users can be served, it makes sense to use the higher frequency bands for FWA. However, the economics of deploying FWA in high-band spectrum are particularly sensitive to overall traffic demand, mmWave propagation performance and the share of downlink and uplink in total traffic at the peak hour demand. 12 The high frequencies of mmWave spectrum can support massive bandwidths for eMBB use cases and high-capacity sites – but the tiny wavelengths of these frequencies suffer a lot of attenuation from obstacles. It could be the high-rise office block or apartments, or something as seemingly innocuous as trees coming into leaf – they can and will all have a measurable impact on not just the performance of your network, but also your ability to maximize the profitability of it. High-band mmWave spectrum means denser coverage and more capacity, but the need to be relatively close to the base station and clear line of sight (LoS) from the CPE antenna back to the base station can impact the end customer experience and ultimately ability to monetize the service. Mid-band 5G spectrum can enable a more rapid FWA network roll-out (in the US for example, about 80% of Verizon’s consumer FWA subscriber gross ads were in the operator’s C-band markets. 13 ) but potentially limit the ability to monetize new services which require, for example, ultra-reliable, low-latency communications (URLLC).

For Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) use cases, where a stable connection between the customer premises equipment (CPE) and the cell site is vital, it means it is critical to understand not just the market potential of the FWA service, but also the practicalities of designing, deploying and operating the network.

12. GSMA Intelligence , The Economics of mmWave 5G (January 2021) p.14 13. Jeff Baumgartner , “Verizon’s FWA base crosses 3M mark” (Light Reading: 23 January 2024)

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Scaling FWA as part of a comprehensive service offer The other main challenge with FWA, especially for an existing mobile network operator, is that FWA subscribers consume significantly more data than regular mobile subscribers. According to the latest Ericsson Mobility report, the average mobile subscriber in North America consumes 26GB of data per month while the average for an FWA subscriber is 324GB, over 12x higher, 14 driven by critical remote working apps, interactive e-gaming and latency- sensitive OTT voice services. These apps not only bring with them data-intensive usage that can place strain on existing network infrastructure, they also bring heightened customer expectations that must be satisfied – and ideally exceeded. Picking the right battle Analysis by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) sees FWA as “a valuable tool that MNOs can use for certain strategic plays”. 15 They outline what they describe as five distinct types of FWA opportunity: 1. Opportunistically exploit spare mobile network capacity 2. Attack copper or cable operators 3. Land-grab customers until fiber rollout 4. Extend beyond the fiber footprint 5. Target convenience-seeking or price-sensitive customers

This means every new FWA subscriber added to the network has a significant effect and careful consideration needs to be taken when signing up FWA subscribers to ensure the network can handle the demand and other subscribers are not adversely affected. The challenge is in understanding if, how and where each of these opportunities can be monetized. Or, as BCG succinctly puts it: “Determining how and where to use FWA is not easy. It requires the right data, very detailed modeling, and the capabilities to pull it off.” Profitably monetizing FWA services therefore begins with the network. Accurate planning and modeling means that monetization is considered from the outset. Proactive testing during the deployment stage enables the network to be optimized. Ongoing assurance of the network, service and end-user experience provides a holistic view across all domains to reduce the time and cost of troubleshooting and deliver the best FWA network experience.

Key takeaway

Only by having accurate insight into all the relevant data, a comprehensive understanding of what it means, and the ability to execute so that it all comes together in a reliable service and a compelling end-user experience can CSPs realize a profitable return on their FWA investment.

14. Ericsson Mobility Report (November 2023) p.38 15. BCG , The Secret to Fixed Wireless Access? Location. Location. Location (30 September 2022)

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

How to plan and scale FWA profitably Author: Régis Lerbour, VP Network Testing and RAN Engineering

The success of any wireless network starts with the integrity and accuracy of its radio access network (RAN) design. But even once you have launched your FWA service, the need for continuous planning, analysis and optimization

business case should still be undertaken. In the latter, evaluating the investment required so that the new FWA subscribers do not degrade the network for existing users is perhaps the most important consideration. Planning network coverage Planning a network to support FWA services is largely the same as planning any mobile network but there are a few subtleties that need to be considered. The first is that FWA traffic is more likely to be concentrated around suburban and small business areas with less traffic in dense urban areas compared to a traditional mobile network. It might also make a lot of sense to build more rural sites than one typically would if considering only mobile subscribers, expanding their network with more rural coverage. When planning sites, it is also critical to consider line of sight (LoS) to potential customers. This is not something that is typically considered when planning a traditional mobile network.

of the network doesn’t end. So, whether you are building a new network for FWA, or maximizing the value of your existing 5G network investment, accurate planning remains the bedrock of delivering the best FWA network experience and profitability. How to plan and dimension a network for FWA First, let’s look at some of the main network planning steps – both in RF and backhaul design – which need to be considered when preparing to launch an FWA service. Not every step will be relevant to every CSP, since for example, some CSPs will already have a 5G network and others won’t. Assessing the business case Critical to the success of an FWA service is validation that the planned investment produces the required return on investment. For a CSP without a mobile network, the investment will be significant, and this will be an important first step. For a CSP with an existing mobile network, the investment will be less, but validation of the

When planning sites, it is also critical to consider line of sight (LoS) to potential customers. This is not something that is typically considered when planning a traditional mobile network.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Accurately modeling CPEs Most network planning tools assume all users have traditional mobile phones with omni-directional antennas at approximately 1.5m above ground level. There are also various strategies and algorithms to intelligently distribute traffic within buildings. However, FWA CPEs come in many different shapes and sizes. They often have higher gain directional antennas and can be mounted in numerous different ways including on the inside of a window, on a building façade or on a pole above the building. To accurately model CPEs, your planning tool needs to be able to specify the performance and mounting attributes of different CPEs to ensure accurate modeling. Dimensioning the network When you think of a network design, most people focus on the coverage it provides. But accurate dimensioning is just as important, and perhaps even more critical for a network with FWA services, where a typical user consumes 12x more data

than a regular mobile subscriber. Designing the backhaul network

While the RF network may be the star of the show, the backhaul network that connects all the base stations back to the core network is equally critical. A well-designed backhaul network needs to have sufficient capacity to support the expected FWA traffic and it needs to have built-in link redundancy to ensure high network availability and ultimately happy subscribers.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Adding new Fixed Wireless Access subscribers Once the FWA service is launched, the network must continue to be able to scale. Analyzing and optimizing network performance, together with continuous planning of network expansion, means operators can add new subscribers without jeopardizing the experience being delivered to current paying customers. Analyzing and optimizing network performance, together with continuous planning of network expansion, means operators can add new FWA subscribers without jeopardizing the experience being delivered to current paying customers.

Assessing Fixed Wireless Access service availability Before signing up each new subscriber, it is critical to validate that they have FWA service availability at their requested location (i.e., they have LoS to one of your base stations). Failure to do this could result in additional installation costs to, for example, raise the height of the CPE antenna, or at worst having to cancel the contract because you are unable to provide FWA service at their location. Assessing network utilization and capacity headroom Another key aspect is assessing the utilization of cell sites to understand how many new FWA subscribers they can handle before upgrades or densification are required. With FWA users consuming 12x more data than regular mobile subscribers, signing up too many FWA subscribers in a specific area without checking for capacity headroom will result in a poor quality of experience for both your FWA subscribers and your existing mobile subscribers in the area.

Key takeaway

Planning your network for FWA services is about more than where to put your base stations. The profile of the service is different, with more data consumed, varying CPE installations and delivered within a physical environment that quite literally changes with the seasons due to the use of millimeter wave spectrum. To deliver a consistent and profitable FWA network experience requires continuous planning, analysis and optimization, powered by AI-driven automation for accuracy, speed and efficiency. This also allows fast network monetization in areas where spare capacity is available.

Learn more about how Planet can help you plan your network for FWA

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

How to deploy and optimize your network for FWA Author: Pär Hultén, Product Manager – TEMS™ Products and Devices

To realize the benefits of 5G FWA, you need to be able to quickly roll out your network and efficiently operate it. But with higher cell density, a larger number of spectrum options, and far more sophisticated antenna systems, the complexity of deploying and optimizing new 5G networks and sites for fixed wireless access is potentially more time-

Network tuning and site acceptance involve validating that new 5G sites and clusters provide the intended coverage and that all voice and data services are working as expected before subscribers are allowed to access the network. For a fixed operator rolling out a 5G FWA network, they face the same network tuning and site acceptance challenges as any other 5G operator. They need to not only validate the network as new sites are deployed, but also be able to provide reports to the business on the status of the 5G network rollout. With all operators’ CAPEX and OPEX under pressure and scrutiny, the network deployment team is on the front line to ensure the rollout is completed quickly, cost- effectively and accurately. Network troubleshooting and optimization Once deployed, optimizing and troubleshooting the network is an ongoing process, and network KPIs must be constantly tracked. The network must be optimized and pushed to the boundaries of its performance. Effective, accurate and efficient network troubleshooting and optimization will, to a large extent, define the success or failure of your 5G FWA investment.

consuming, more costly, and more of a resource drain than any previous technology. While many 5G network testing routines will remain the same, from network acceptance to troubleshooting and optimization, the usage profile of FWA services brings unique challenges in their potential impact on the network. Network tuning and site acceptance Whether it’s rolling out a new 5G network to deliver FWA services, a new technology overlay to add FWA services to your existing offer or expanding your network coverage footprint through FWA services into previously underserved areas, accurately assessing prelaunch performance is critical. Only by testing and optimizing the network from your subscribers’ perspective can you be confident that the network is going to deliver the promised 5G FWA user experience.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Optimizing an FWA network overlay For an operator with an existing 5G network extending its coverage through new sites in rural areas, fixed wireless access offers new challenges. Not only will the area be more remote and so more time-consuming and costly to drive test, but it also requires testing to ensure the existing network is not negatively impacted. Efficient network drive testing becomes even more important in remote areas where the cell coverage area can be large but the subscribers dispersed. Line-of-sight coverage for mmWave 5G can be impacted by the physical surroundings. This complexity can only be offset through a simplified and guided drive-testing approach that centrally defines testing routines and criteria, identifying what to test, where to test and how to get there. Automation and centralization of network testing processes and routines means you can get your 5G FWA services to market faster, most cost-effectively and with a better end-customer experience.

5G network troubleshooting and optimization involves drive-testing both new and existing cell sites to understand the experience your network delivers, identify and resolve issues, and make informed decision-making around future network investments. The quality of a subscriber’s experience relies on your ability to identify and solve network problems quickly and reliably. But there is an added complexity with FWA. How the FWA CPE is installed in each subscriber’s home or office can impact their experience, and how you optimize your network. 5G CPE kit can be installed by a professional installer on a rooftop pole in the same way as a TV aerial or satellite dish, or it can arrive in the post and be set up out-of-the-box by the subscriber using a self-installation app. It may be window-mounted, or indoor equipment. According to the most recent GSA Fixed Wireless Access CPE Vendor Survey, there is “a clear expectation that the market for flexible indoor and outdoor CPE and self-installation apps will grow”. The variety in CPE installation makes being able to test your network for different form factors of FWA device from different vendors crucial.

How the FWA CPE is installed in each subscriber’s home or office can impact their experience, and how you optimize your network.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Testing the FWA user experience We know that the data usage by 5G FWA subscribers can be 12x that of mobile subscribers. So what’s driving this? 5G FWA is an alternative to fixed broadband, which means they are consuming the same content and services as a typical broadband subscriber. They’re watching streaming services such as Netflix, Apple TV+ or Amazon Prime Video. They’re making video calls using end-to-end encrypted apps such as WhatsApp and FaceTime. They’re using video collaboration tools such as MS Teams and Zoom. And they’re e-gaming, playing interactive, latency-sensitive ‘first-person shooter’ games such as Counter-Strike 2 where ‘ping-time’ on the network means ‘death’ for the gamer. Mobile 5G subscribers are using these same popular over-the-top (OTT) applications. It’s simply that FWA subscribers are using them more intensely, at higher resolution on bigger screens, and with a higher expectation of the quality of experience.

Thanks to the multitude of OTT apps and the ever-expanding range of devices, it’s simply not practical or financially viable to test every device, every OTT app and every interactive service. Instead, by testing the network against the key parameters of the most demanding and/or most commonly used OTT application/ service, operators can have the confidence they need to not just deliver a network capable of supporting the less intensive and/or less common OTT apps and services, but make user experiences promises, safe in the knowledge that their network will deliver. FWA subscribers are playing interactive, latency- sensitive ‘first-person shooter’ games such as Counter-Strike where ‘ping-time’ on the network means ‘death’ for the gamer.”

Key takeaway

Deploying and optimizing a 5G network for FWA services brings added complexity for the operator due to the variables of the network deployment, subscribers’ FWA CPE installation and how those subscribers are consuming and interacting with OTT services. Automation of network testing is essential in enabling operators to not just deploy FWA networks quickly and profitably, but in giving them the confidence they need that their network will deliver the FWA user experience they are promising and subscribers are expecting.

Learn more about how 5G network testing is evolving

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

How to assure FWA networks, services and experiences Author: Igor Pais, VP Automated Assurance

Handling network complexities Effectively handling Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network challenges necessitates a sophisticated approach beyond the capabilities of traditional assurance tools. Addressing the intricacies of FWA demands a new generation of assurance solutions tailored to ensure optimal performance, reliability and a seamless user experience.

FWA customers expect a seamless experience comparable to fixed broadband services. However, delivering data services over mobile networks presents unique challenges. Core networks are increasingly virtualized and dynamic, transport networks share capacity with various services and traffic

types, and the radio network introduces new challenges like coverage, interference, and congestion. While CSPs have grown accustomed to monitoring mobile broadband services, encompassing network accessibility and reliability, traffic, usage, and subscriber Quality of Experience (QoE), they must now adapt to higher volumes, faster speeds, and more dynamic network infrastructures. It’s also critical to control that, as new FWA subscribers are added, the other mobile services keep being delivered with high quality, ensuring that the balance between capacity assigned to FWA and other services is working as planned.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Monitoring the core

Monitoring the transport

Monitoring the RAN

These solutions must align with the evolving 5G Core service- based architecture, accommodating virtualization seamlessly while efficiently capturing traffic and supporting Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS). They should offer comprehensive visibility into various dimensions, encompassing the customer, their device, and their traffic through advanced Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) for precise traffic classification. FWA traffic is substantially higher than standard mobile consumers, making monitoring 5G Core capacity essential.

Assurance tools should extend their capabilities to encompass visibility into the dynamic network resources and infrastructure. This involves not only monitoring the performance and capacity of the underlying Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network but also offering segmentation insights into how various services – including FWA, network slices, and Mobile Broadband (eMBB) – utilize transport network capacity. This segmentation enables operators to discern potential conflicts among services and manage bandwidth and traffic steering efficiently. In the context of such a dynamic traffic environment, these tools should demonstrate intelligence in predicting bottlenecks and forecasting capacity needs, ensuring uninterrupted and optimal service delivery.

In addition to serving the mobile subscriber base, radio networks must now accommodate Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) traffic seamlessly without disrupting existing services. Assurance tools play a crucial role in continuously monitoring Radio Access Network (RAN) performance and capacity to ensure the seamless operation of all services, especially during seasonal traffic peaks. Another critical aspect involves monitoring radio quality and promptly obtaining Radio Frequency (RF) diagnostics to pinpoint whether degradations stem from issues like poor Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) coverage, radio interference, or overshooting cells. Tools must also facilitate comprehensive troubleshooting for each individual customer.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Breaking down the silos Monitoring service quality and customer experience across diverse network domains is a complex undertaking, involving various tools, multiple teams, and intricate correlations—especially when troubleshooting issues and identifying root causes. This complexity underscores the need for unified assurance solutions that provide, through a single pane of glass, end-to-end visibility across RAN, transport, and core and across multiple layers. Adopting a 360-degree assurance approach empowers operators to assess the end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE), seamlessly drilling down to any problematic domain for rapid troubleshooting. This not only ensures the delivery of premium services and an enhanced customer experience but streamlines operational efficiency and resources. Adopting a 360-degree assurance approach empowers operators to assess the end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE), seamlessly drilling down to any problematic domain for rapid troubleshooting.

Unlocking actionable insights To effectively assure Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services, operators require multi-dimensional analytics that serve as a single source of truth across teams, encompassing quality and performance, operations, planning, and customer experience and care teams. This includes dashboards reporting on: Customers analytics Assuring the customer experience remains the end goal. Customer analytics must provide insights into the overall customer experience score, media score, sessions, network connectivity, and application usage, delivered through multiple QoE/QoS key quality and performance indicators (KQI/KPI). Device Analytics This information offers an understanding of how CPEs are functioning in your network, providing visibility into device health, network accessibility, throughput, latency, coverage, as well as other insights such as detecting and analyzing tethering. Traffic Analytics Deep Packet Inspection, crucial for traffic visibility and classification, is key to understanding the traffic usage including from encrypted Over-The-Top (OTT) applications. Analytics should provide insights into connected devices such as set-top boxes or IoT devices like Alexa, and deliver control and user plane metrics, including QoE KPIs reflecting video freezes, resolution, buffering time, and more. Network Performance Analytics here must cover service and network performance across the Radio Access Network (RAN), transport, core, and data centers for resource level performance monitoring. This means that assurance solutions should support multiple types of data sources and report on several dimensions, providing tailored dashboards for different teams involved in the service delivery. Capacity Analytics This provides insights into under- and over-utilized capacity in the network, predicting resource bottlenecks and time-to-congestion, and assisting planning teams in forecasting and planning capacity needs, not only connected to FWA service but also in combination with the mobile services in use.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Seamless troubleshooting While real-time analytics and alarming play a crucial role in detecting and predicting network problems, the resolution process can be significantly prolonged without the appropriate troubleshooting tools. This underscores the importance of interlinked analytics dashboards that support intuitive drill-downs to detailed reports and granular data. For instance, when addressing customer throughput degradation, it could be linked to various issues such as a radio problem, transport congestion, or a malfunctioning User Plane Function (UPF) in the core. An effective assurance solution should not only identify the source of the problem but also provide users with an in-depth view to resolve it. This includes a correlated view of all network protocols, visualization of end-to-end ladder diagrams and the ability to drill down to Radio Access Network (RAN) call traces, performance management data, and core packet captures for in-depth investigations and root-cause analysis.

When this enriched data is combined with automated troubleshooting capabilities, CSPs can accelerate the MTTR of customer-facing issues.

Managing substantial data volume When assuring FWA services, data volume becomes a critical consideration. Operators need the flexibility to monitor the entire network traffic or, as traffic increases, focus on specific segments like HVC/VIP users or key applications. This ensures targeted, cost-effective, and efficient network management. To achieve this, assurance solutions must support user plane traffic sampling methods or provide capabilities for on-demand selective recording. These features empower operators to strike the right balance between cost and control.

Key takeaway

Confidently delivering and assuring the user experience subscribers expect against a backdrop of increased multi-service and network complexity is a significant challenge for CSPs deploying and monetizing FWA services. A high degree of observability across FWA and other services and effective and efficient troubleshooting requires the ability to unlock actionable insights across networks, devices, infrastructure, service and customer experience. To break down these silos requires a 360-degree approach that is only possible with strong data correlation capabilities.

Learn more about how Ativa can help you assure your FWA network, services and experiences

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

The role of automation and AI in optimizing FWA profitability Author: Renata Da Silva, VP Product Marketing

The ambition of ‘autonomous networks’ has become a game-changer in the rapidly evolving landscape of modern telecommunications and networking. But how applicable is it to Fixed Wireless Access? The complexity of 5G is compounded by the unique requirements of FWA. From planning a network for FWA to deploying and optimizing it, from dimensioning the

Data without automation is a wasted opportunity, automation without data is wasted investment.

across silos and create actionable insights. Only then does automation deliver the promised CAPEX and OPEX benefits. Or to put it bluntly: Data without automation is a wasted opportunity, automation without data is wasted investment. Planning FWA – with automated use case-centric workflows We’ve already explored the challenges of planning and scaling FWA profitably, but let’s dig in further and look at the role data- driven automation can play in this. Traditionally, RF planning tools had a single desktop-based user interface. With one common interface to address all the required use cases, this meant it was extremely powerful but invariably complicated to learn and inefficient to use. FWA has its own specific RF planning challenges and requirements, so use case- centric workflows specifically designed and optimized for that FWA can ensure maximum simplicity and efficiency.

network for data-intensive usage to assuring the user experience of new apps and services, the prospect of an autonomous FWA network can seem a distant dream. However, by embracing a practical approach to automation, CSPs can start realizing today the benefits of real-time data-driven automation that streamlines processes, improves operational efficiency and helps them deliver on their FWA monetization objectives. Automation can be classified into two primary areas: data intelligence, and orchestration. While orchestrators serve as automation engines, they lack the intelligence on what exactly to orchestrate. The initial challenge lies in comprehending the vast volumes and diverse data types to enable precise automation. Data has to be at the heart of automation. How that data is then used to streamline workflows, improve accuracy or modeling or accelerate processes is down to the ability to extend automation

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Deploying and optimizing FWA – with AI-powered UX testing FWA is driving a change in subscriber profile – and data usage – which can have a profound impact on the network. Not only is a typical FWA subscriber’s data usage an order of magnitude more than that of a traditional mobile subscriber, but the variety and complexity of the services they are using is similarly beyond compare. The variety and diversity of popular OTT applications mean it is impossible to test for all native and OTT applications and services. From WhatsApp to Netflix, Counter-Strike to MS Teams, it’s neither practical nor financially viable to test every device, every OTT app and every interactive service. However, by using user interface (UI) automation when setting up the tests, while the test methodology and KPIs remain generic, operators can test the generic framework regardless of what OTT media application/service is being used. This saves operators time when testing a multitude of OTT media applications and allows them to quickly test any new application with consistency and confidence. By testing the network against the key parameters of the most demanding and/or most commonly used OTT application/service, operators can have confidence that their FWA network is not only capable of supporting less intensive and/or less common OTT apps and services, but they can make user experiences promises of their fixed wireless access offer, safe in the knowledge that their network will deliver.

By embracing a cloud-native API-based approach, automation enables operators to roll out next-generation networks faster and, ultimately, improve network CAPEX and OPEX efficiency. Automated use case-centric workflows save time and reduce errors for RF Planners by enabling them to use intuitive and efficient user interfaces that are specific to the parameters required. This means an operator’s RF planning team could run 5G analyses using consistent templates, parameters and propagation models, accelerating the RF design process and improving the accuracy of FWA network planning across a nationwide network. But that’s not all. Go further and by integrating correlation, analytics, alerting and ML/AI automation into these everyday workflows, FWA planning can be done on-demand, informed by data and insight from drive-testing, troubleshooting and operations. It’s this combination of real-time data and automation that is potentially so powerful.

Learn more about automation and RF planning

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Assuring FWA – with automated 360º assurance When it comes to automating the FWA service assurance, correlation is king. For example, correlating how an issue identified in one network domain, for example low user throughput in the core, can be linked to a cause in another, such as a capacity problem on the radio, unlocks real understanding and insight into how network resource problems impact Quality of Service (QoS), SLAs, and customer experience. Without comprehensive and intelligent data analysis, orchestrators remain blind to problems that need addressing, potentially leading to incorrect changes within the network. A 360° assurance capability, complemented by AI/ML for enhanced anomaly detection and prediction and an automation engine to accelerate troubleshooting and resolution processes, allows CSPs to draw on the intelligence necessary for proactive, accurate, business- driven decision-making and confidently unlock the true potential of automation. By embracing cloud-native automated assurance, operators can automate complex, and error-prone tasks that repeatedly consume valuable time and resources. This encompasses anomaly detection,

correlation of data and alarms, root-cause analysis, recommended healing actions and more. These capabilities are now essential for understanding and resolving issues faster, delivering an enhanced customer experience. While automating workflows yields tangible benefits, self-healing represents the ultimate objective for achieving a fully autonomous state. However, reaching this goal requires a fully open and interconnected ecosystem, where assurance tools seamlessly integrate with systems like fault management, trouble-ticketing, and orchestrators.

Learn more about automated assurance

Key takeaway

Breaking silos by data integration, correlation, analytics and automation requires a common cloud-native architecture across network planning, testing and assurance solutions. Real-time holistic data driven automation not only streamlines operations to reduce OPEX but significantly contributes to a more reliable FWA service, increasing the customer experience and FWA monetization.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Case study: FWA planning with a ROI of 1000%+

Challenge: How to improve customer satisfaction and maximize the profitability of 5G FWA services This national broadband provider did a great job of selling FWA contracts to residential and business customers, as they rolled out new cell sites and expanded their coverage. However, there was a problem. The sales team were selling contracts based on an inaccurate understanding of their 5G FWA coverage. This meant that they were both promising some subscribers FWA experiences their network simply couldn’t deliver, and they were also missing out on potential revenue from customers who in reality had perfect 5G FWA coverage.

The impact? The business was missing out on $67 million from its 5G FWA service.

How Infovista combines high-res digital maps and advanced AI modeling to deliver the most accurate 5G FWA planning To accurately model your wireless network you require modern geodata sets that are designed and validated specifically for RF planning. Accurate integration of vegetation means you can model buildings and trees with more accuracy, for example by considering trunk and canopy height when calculating propagation losses.

This is critical for accurate planning 5G in dense urban areas, especially at mmWave frequencies and in FWA use cases where these cells and users are both below the canopy. Skylines, our next-generation 3D mapping data for accurate 5G planning, is integrated with our AI-driven Planet RF Planning and optimization solution. By integrating the Geodata with AIM, Planet’s AI-powered 3D propagation model, you can also simulate when trees are in-leaf and out-of-leaf, allowing you to analyze coverage through the seasons.

OPTIMIZE YOUR FWA NETWORK EXPERIENCE AND MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY

Solution: Accurate 3D mapping gives CSP sales team the insight they need to sell FWA services with confidence Inaccurate 2D geodata mapping of their FWA services meant they were not only siting cells in sub-optimal locations, they were also failing to effectively monetize the 5G FWA services once the network was deployed. Instead of customers celebrating their ultrafast home broadband, the service provider saw customer complaints increase. The cost of dispatching engineers to try and remedy the situation by mounting CPEs on rooftop poles added to both capital and operating costs. In contrast, best-in-class 3D geodata, designed and validated specifically for RF planning would give them visibility into the heights of buildings and their roof structure, the canopy height of groups of trees and how they compare to the height of buildings they surround, and it would even allow them to model the canopies and trunks of individual trees.

Result: Recover over $67 million in lost revenue The business case for 3D geodata mapping became a

straightforward question of math. Nationwide, the service provider calculated the total cost/benefit meant they were missing out on over $67 million on their top-line. By purchasing 3D geodata to both reduce costs incurred by targeting customers with insufficient coverage and maximize revenue by targeting all customers with sufficient coverage, the nationwide broadband provider calculated they could recover this lost revenue and realize an ROI of over 1,360% for the 3D geodata.

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