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