Page 23 - SAMENA ELITE - June-September 2025
P. 23

23





            Policy Recommendations
            1. Adopt a Technology-Neutral Regulatory Framework
                - Policymakers should continue to support a balanced broadband strategy that treats FWA as a credible and
               complementary access technology. Technology neutrality encourages innovation, investment, and allows
               operators to choose the most effective solutions for specific deployment environments.
            2.  Accelerate Spectrum Availability for FWA
                - Timely and affordable access to mid-band and millimeter-wave spectrum is essential for the performance
               and scalability of FWA. Regulators should prioritize spectrum planning that supports fixed wireless use,
               including consideration of licensed, shared, and lightly licensed models.
            3.  Encourage Infrastructure Sharing and Hybrid Deployments
                - Regulations should promote infrastructure sharing among operators to reduce deployment costs and
               accelerate service delivery. Support for hybrid network models, where FWA complements fibre, will enhance
               overall connectivity outcomes and resource efficiency.
            4.  Mandate Transparent Service Performance Metrics
                - Clear labelling of advertised, minimum, and typical speeds for FWA services should be encouraged to
               ensure transparency and build consumer trust. Independent verification of service quality will help validate
               FWA’s role as a dependable broadband solution.
            5. Target FWA Subsidies for Underserved Areas
                - FWA should be included in universal service and subsidy programs as a cost-effective means to extend
               broadband to rural and low-income communities. This requires coordination between operators, regulators,
               and development partners to align funding with achievable deployment models.
            6. Incorporate FWA into National Broadband Plans
                - Governments should explicitly recognize FWA in their national broadband strategies and reporting
               frameworks. This will ensure FWA deployments are included in market assessments, policy evaluations, and
               progress tracking against digital transformation goals.



        in regions where infrastructure      regions, consumer satisfaction with   independent assessments of service
        readiness levels vary significantly.  FWA services is now surpassing     quality, and transparent performance
                                             that of legacy cable or DSL. This   standards are already being
        Performance-related concerns, such   is due in part to the simplicity of   implemented in many markets. These
        as those linked to shared spectrum   installation, competitive pricing, and   efforts will further enhance consumer
        use or network congestion, are being   the increasing quality of service.   trust and encourage sustained
        addressed through more efficient     In the SA-ME-NA region, these       investment.
        network planning, better spectrum    characteristics are particularly
        allocation, and improved customer    valuable to young families, small   In the context of the SA-ME-NA region,
        equipment. Globally, FWA download    businesses, and users in rural areas,   FWA is not a compromise on digital
        speeds have seen considerable        all of whom benefit from faster and   ambition. Rather, it is a means of
        improvements. For example, T-Mobile   more reliable connectivity.        delivering on that ambition more
        in the United States reported a 50                                       quickly, more affordably, and more
        percent increase in FWA speeds       The global regulatory discourse     inclusively. As 5G networks expand
        within a single year, placing it ahead   on broadband must continue to   and become more efficient, the
        of traditional broadband providers   embrace a technology-neutral        performance and reliability of FWA
        in performance rankings. These       perspective. While fiber remains    are expected to improve even further.
        improvements demonstrate that, with   a critical component of long-      Ultimately, what matters most is
        appropriate investment and planning,   term digital infrastructure, FWA   ensuring that broadband strategies
        FWA can offer consistent and high-   has demonstrated its reliability    are practical, responsive to regional
        quality service.                     and potential to support national   needs, and focused on connecting
        FWA is also contributing to a shift   connectivity objectives. Initiatives   people without delay.
        in market dynamics. In many          such as clear speed labelling,









                                                                                                        SAMENA ELITE
   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28