Page 21 - SAMENA ELITE - June-September 2025
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        trying to keep up with school, work,   function better when communication   What’s needed now is practical
        and basic services—often through     is smooth and reliable. None of     support that matches FWA’s intended
        a single connection. Businesses are   this necessarily requires futuristic   role and the strong value-proposition
        navigating new markets. Government   infrastructure. It requires steady,   it holds. Priorities include: access
        entities are seeking improved delivery   dependable networks; something   to adequate, reliable spectrum,
        of citizen services through new digital   FWA can offer. The FWA core    especially in areas without wired
        platforms.                           technology is already working and   alternatives; faster policy responses
                                             is already upholding dependability   as usage grows and needs
        With less-than-expected network      in many places throughout the       shift; flexible frameworks that let
        performance, people aren’t just      SA-ME-NA and Central Asia regions.   communities or smaller providers
        inconvenienced; they’re left behind.   Its impact is visible, measurable, and   expand access where large networks
        An impact on the technology network   is changing lives.                 do not reach; recognition that rural
        shows up in real human lives. This                                       and underserved areas need the
        shows that there’s a difference                                          same quality of service as cities,
        between having a service signal and                                      and not at all a reduced version;
        having a usable service. FWA may       FWA has a proven value-           affordability in service bundles and
        technically provide access to a home   proposition for technology        customer-provided equipment
        or village, but if it does not support   providers, infrastructure       design; better WLAN experience; and
        live video, downloads, or uploads,                                       better overall alignment between
                                                  builders, regulators,
        then it limits what people can actually                                  technical planning and public needs,
                                                citizens, and industries.
        do online. FWA has the technical                                         so that FWA’s capacity is maintained
                                                 If FWA isn’t supported
        ability to support all of this. But its                                  at defined thresholds and does not
        success depends on the conditions    properly, we risk reinforcing       fall behind at critical moments.
        around it, especially how spectrum       an old pattern: giving
        is managed, how growth is planned,       basic service to some           Final Thought
        and whether capacity keeps pace                                          We need to shift the mindset of
                                               while others move ahead
        with real-world demand.                                                  separating technical infrastructure
                                              with faster, more capable
                                                                                 from human outcomes. They
                                                        networks.
        A Growing Divide                                                         are interlinked and, with digital
        FWA has a proven value-                                                  metamorphosis in progress around
        proposition for technology providers,                                    the globe, are inseparable. The FWA
        infrastructure builders, regulators,   When connectivity policy is slow,   infrastructure is now a part of the
        citizens, and industries. If FWA isn’t   disconnected from need, is deficient,   core broadband landscape. For many
        supported properly, we risk reinforcing   or does not happen on time, people   communities, such as in Kenya or in
        an old pattern: giving basic service   feel it; in small daily frustrations that   the Amazon rainforest, in fact, it is
        to some while others move ahead      add up to larger disadvantages.     the first real chance at experiencing
        with faster, more capable networks.   When a student is unable to stay   reliable access, and may be the only
        On paper, both are connected.        connected to class or a health worker   one within reach for years to come.
        In practice, their experience in     cannot share vital medical data
        connectivity is very different. This   just in time, it is not just a network   FWA deserves recognition and so do
        kind of divide is not a product of a   issue. It is an issue of access, equity,   those who have thrived in excellence
        technology’s limitation. It comes from   responsibility, and progress.   in FWA service delivery. FWA also
        decisions; where to invest, how to                                       deserves support that should let it
        license, and who gets the resources   FWA is connecting areas where      succeed without unnecessary limits.
        needed to build something that       nothing else is reaching; places    The technology is ready, and is further
        lasts; something that is sustainable   where roads may be rough, cables   empowered with AI.
        and catalyzes various forms of       slow to come, and population
        sustainability.                      diversely and sporadically placed.   Our focus as industry and end-users
                                             It’s doing this without long delays   should be to want fixed wireless
        When decisions are delayed or do not   and without the scale of investment   access, and not harboring unfixed
        align with urgency, the result is a slow,   that other technologies require.   worries about its success. The case
        quiet form of exclusion; a divide.   Such value-proposition requires     for FWA has already been made. It
                                             policies and industry support that   can and should become a long-term
        What Needs to Change                 match its pace, resources that fit its   path to digital inclusion and
        When connections work well, people   requirements, and long-term thinking   enhanced digital experience within
        use them fully. Public institutions too   that sees its role clearly.    the SA-ME-NA region and beyond.



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