Fixed wireless access (FWA) offers significant cost advantages in contrast to deployment of fiber networks, but FWA devices face a series of challenges in order to deliver robust, optimized network performance to end users. As a wireless technology, FWA can be impacted by environmental factors such as surrounding objects or weather conditions that can affect line-of-sight connectivity. However, the adoption of ubiquitous cellular technology in the form of 4G and 5G is now routinely providing millions of users with high-speed internet, often for the first time.

GSMA Intelligence has predicted growth of 55% for 5G FWA in 2024, with 5G accounting for 61% of FWA connections in Q4 2024. Meanwhile, GSA has also reported significant acceleration in FWA uptake. The organization says launched services for FWA using LTE or 5G are available from 407 operators in 176 countries and territories worldwide.

The market is broadly split into two models. The first addresses low GDP markets and locations in which 5G is unavailable with 4G-based, basic devices. The advantage with these is that they can deliver reliable, relatively low speed internet connections at a cost that these markets can afford. Don’t forget that LTE is easily able to support streaming video, for example, so rich internet experiences can still be served.

Common challenges facing FWA device deployments

At the other extreme, fully-featured, aesthetically designed 5G FWA routers support the delivery of ultra-low latency, high-speed 5G services. Performance can be breathtaking with top end equipment supporting low latency gamers in developed markets such as Japan. A significant challenge here is the cost of the customer premise equipment (CPE) which can be around US$500 in some cases.

It’s clear that the CPE is both a limiting factor and also an essential enabler of FWA. Efficiently developed CPE enables creation of hardware that has been optimized for the use case so low-end operators can develop very cost-effective devices that make it viable to bring services to previously unserved markets. The mirror image is true in the high-end market where service providers must bring appealing devices to market that offer the most innovative technologies, yet still at a cost that compete with rivals.

Significant care therefore needs to be taken in the FWA CPE development process to ensure affordability, performance and line-of-sight limitations are addressed. Many turn to original device manufacturer partners to ensure these requirements are optimized. Ikotek is an IoT ODM with considerable experience in FWA devices and has recently released a Masterclass with Quectel entitled ‘Fixed wireless access (FWA): Bridging the digital divide with Ikotek’.

Ikotek has been designing FWA devices for several years, enabling wireless 5G and LTE connectivity for a new generation of connected users. The company provides a one-stop-shop for device design, manufacturing and certification delivering high quality products and services to reduce complexity, speed up time-to-market, eliminate risk and reduce costs.

Presented by Vujadin Popovic, Program Manager EMEA at Ikotek, and Vladimir Raki, Director of R&D, Europe at Ikotek, the Masterclass shared Ikotek’s experience in developing optimal FWA solution designs and details hardware and software offerings with architectural definitions. In addition, the Masterclass shares popular FWA use cases and provides demos.

View the Masterclass: Fixed wireless access (FWA): bridging the digital divide with Ikotek