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
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