Global fixed broadband subscribers are expected to reach 1.6 billion by 2030 [1]. Despite these numbers, population penetration of fixed broadband remains low, averaging 30-40% in most regions [2]. Wiring every inch of the world may take many more decades as expanding the fixed network to less populous areas makes little business sense. And satellite operators vying for these markets remain constrained by the bandwidth they can offer.
Making the best of existing spectrum assets with 5G FWA
An alternative exists in the form of Fixed Wireless Access technology. Many of the homes in suburban and rural areas, fortunately, fall within the existing mobile coverage radius and increasingly have access to 5G. Using their 5G spectrum, mobile and converged operators can provide broadband connectivity with fixed-grade speeds and service levels. 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), therefore, represents a way to connect many of the unconnected, as well as a new revenue stream. According to GSMA Intelligence, over 90 fixed broadband service providers across 48 countries have already launched 5G FWA services [3].
Managing capacity is key to FWA success
The first 5G deployments for mobile services used mid-band spectrum. Tapping into the same spectrum for FWA resulted in minimal deployment complexities and allowed new revenues to roll in quickly. 5G mid-bands can enable up to 100 Mbps and more, which is sufficient to support most applications.
The runaway success of FWA deployments, however, came with a challenge. The usage profile for a home user is very different to that of a typical mobile subscriber, as bandwidth-intensive applications like 4k video streaming and cloud gaming are more prevalent than on a traditional mobile device. So, as FWA service uptake begins to top 15%, user experience can deteriorate across the board, given that existing mobile users and FWA subscribers are competing for the same limited resources.
This means that managing network capacity to ensure service levels (both fixed and mobile) could become a challenge. It’s not as simple as adding more capacity via cell densification, a strategy executed to tackle capacity issues in urban and densely populated areas and, in any case, this is not cost-effective in suburban and rural areas.
Advanced CPEs hold new promise for FWA
To solve this capacity challenge and boost 5G FWA deployments, Nokia has introduced next-generation 5G fixed wireless broadband devices to its FastMile product portfolio. Latest in this portfolio is the Nokia FastMile 5G Receiver (5G26-A) and the Nokia FastMile 5G Gateway 7.
Nokia FastMile 5G Receiver 5G26-A
The Nokia FastMile 5G Receiver is a 5G receiver with 10 dBi high gain antennas and a 180-degree field of view. Featuring a flexible outdoor design, the receiver can be mounted on the window, window grille, pole or balcony rail. This often requires no tools, meaning consumers can self-install, keeping deployment costs low and customer satisfaction high. A FastMile receiver integrates into any home broadband network or can be complemented with Nokia WiFi beacons to extend coverage throughout the home.
Nokia FastMile 5G Gateway 7
The Nokia FastMile 5G Gateway 7 takes the power and performance of the 5G network and distributes it throughout the home using mesh Wi-Fi. It comes with high-gain antennas with up to 8 dBi gain and supports speeds of up to 7 Gbps using multi-link operations (MLO). The user experience is further enhanced with Nokia Corteca software which uses containerized applications for value add services enabling new revenue streams.
Efficiency gains from next-gen FWA CPEs
Nokia’s FastMile FWA receivers and gateways play a crucial role in optimizing network capacity, especially for cell edge users. Their high-gain antennas increase speed and coverage of FWA services while optimizing spectrum use. The Nokia FastMile 5G Receiver (5G26-A) and the Nokia FastMile 5G Gateway 7 enhance radio efficiency with carrier aggregation that supports 300 MHz bandwidth.
As, if not more effective is correct placement of the device. Nokia has developed mobile applications that guide the consumer through the installation process from identifying the location of 5G radio, maximizing signal strength, activating services and managing their Wi-Fi network. When the right placement is found, the network spends less resource establishing connections, hence preserving capacity.
In an operator study conducted by Nokia, they found that 19% of users had less than optimum connectivity due to improper placement of the device in the home. The study saw that Proper placement of the device in the home with a mobile app could restore up to 29% of wasted network capacity. Similarly, the use of Nokia’s FastMile receiver deployed outside the home would restore 62% of network capacity, demonstrating the advantage of an outdoor antenna.
Using mmWave for an overlay network
On the spectrum end, the use of mmWave has proven to greatly augment service providers’ network capacity. 5G mmWave utilizes frequencies between 24 GHz and 300 GHz to deliver extensive capacity and ultra-low latencies. mmWave, when combined with high-gain antennas, greatly augments the capacity available for 5G FWA.
Using 5G mmWave as a capacity overlay to serve only nearby FWA subscribers can free-up 5G mid-bands for mobile users and FWA customers further away towards the cell edge. In an operator case study involving a large FWA operator, the use of mmWave overlay provided coverage for up to 50% of homes located within the cell radius. Since no additional infrastructure is necessary, an overlay strategy allows a gradual step up for FWA services and a way to maximize capacity efficiencies as take-up rates approach 15%.
The use of mmWave can benefit rural subscribers, complementing other technologies such as satellite. Nokia successfully implemented mmWave for nbn in Australia, extending the broadband coverage area up to 7 km across rural Australia’s vast land expanses. The project proves the viability of mmWave for further distances where a clear line of sight is possible.
A win-win for all
Compared to off-the-shelf or entry-level devices, next-generation FWA devices can create a massive competitive advantage for converged and mobile operators embarking on the FWA journey. The Nokia FastMile 5G Receiver and the Nokia FastMile 5G Gateway 7 provide operators high-functioning, next-gen CPEs that can significantly boost network efficiency while reducing support costs in the long run. With high interoperability and easy integration, operators can upgrade their existing FWA users to 5G seamlessly. Combined with Nokia’s mmWave technology, operators can confidently ramp up their FWA deployments across urban, suburban and rural areas, and grow both their mobile and fixed subscriber base.
Sources:
- Point Topic - Global fixed broadband subscribers will grow by 18% to reach 1.6 billion by 2030
- World Bank – World Development Indicators
- GSMA - GSMA Intelligence
