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communication service providers expanding high-speed internet in of bringing broadband to islands,
to offer low-cost internet to low- areas where laying cable or fiber isn't mountains, or other remote areas
income residents prompted AT&T feasible. AT&T’s use of FWA to replace where cables can't easily go. In
to pull its FWA product out of the aging DSL connections shows how the Middle East and Africa, FWA is
state. The company said the rates flexible the technology can be during becoming a key tool to connect
mandated by the law made further periods of infrastructure transition. underserved communities. Some
investment there unworkable. This operators in these regions are
shows how quickly state-level Globally, FWA is on an upward exploring newer technologies like
rules can impact the availability of trajectory. There were around 160 5G RedCap to make FWA even more
service. Internationally, governments million FWA connections at the end affordable.
are increasingly seeing FWA as a of 2024, and that number is expected
tool for digital inclusion. Many are to climb to 350 million by 2030. By
offering subsidies or setting up then, nearly 80% of those connections
Globally, FWA is on an
favorable policy frameworks to are expected to run on 5G networks.
upward trajectory. There
support its expansion. For instance, Asia-Pacific is set to lead the charge,
Qatar’s regulatory body is updating especially countries like India, where were around 160 million
its telecom rules to encourage millions of users have already signed FWA connections at the end
competition, with FWA expected to up for 5G FWA in just over a year. of 2024, and that number
benefit from those changes. In the U.S., FWA is proving popular is expected to climb to
with people in their mid-30s to early
350 million by 2030. By
In terms of competition, FWA is 50s—a group that values quick
then, nearly 80% of those
making a noticeable dent in the setup and better service than older
dominance of cable. Consumers broadband options. connections are expected
are responding well to the ease to run on 5G networks.
of installation, lower costs, and Among providers, T-Mobile continues
improved service quality. Some to grow rapidly, reporting over 6.4
studies even suggest that customer million FWA subscribers by the end Looking ahead, FWA is well-positioned
satisfaction with FWA is now higher of 2024. Verizon has more than 4.8 to play a bigger role in global
than with cable. Cable companies, million. In India, Reliance Jio had over broadband. As 5G networks continue
in response, have been lobbying 4.8 million FWA customers by January to expand and evolve into
against additional spectrum 2025, while Bharti Airtel had just under 5G-Advanced, and as tools like AI
allocation to mobile carriers, arguing 900,000. These figures reflect both the help manage networks more
it threatens their position in the demand for better connectivity and efficiently, the performance of FWA is
market. Wireless industry groups the aggressive strategies companies only expected to get better. The gap
like CTIA and 5G Americas have are using to grab market share. between wireless and wired
formed new coalitions to counter this, broadband is narrowing, especially in
launching campaigns like "End the FWA adoption varies by region. In terms of speed and reliability. While
Cableopoly" to promote the benefits North America, the market is shaped there are still challenges—like
of 5G home broadband and push for by fierce competition and a push to managing bandwidth, securing
more spectrum access. outpace cable providers. Europe is enough spectrum, and ensuring
seeing growth too, especially in rural consistent service—operators are
FWA is also becoming a solid areas where fiber isn't easy to deploy. pushing ahead with innovation. With
alternative to older broadband Operators there are offering plans continued investment and supportive
technologies, including DSL and, in that mirror traditional broadband, policies, FWA is likely to become a
some cases, even fiber—especially helping customers make the switch. central part of how the world stays
in rural or hard-to-reach places. In Asia-Pacific, rapid rollout is driven connected.
Its lower deployment costs and by need and geography—many
faster setup make it appealing for countries there face the challenge
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