Ericsson Reports FWA as a Leading 5G Use Case

In its newest Mobility Report, Ericsson says fixed wireless access (FWA) has become a key 5G use case for communications service providers (CSPs). The research shows a 29% rise in the number offering a compatible service in the year to end-March alongside further user forecast increases.

The vendor said that 241 of 310 CSPs quizzed offered an FWA service, 128 of which provided a 5G option. It stated the technology is enabling operators to compete on speed, data capabilities, and latency by pitching services broadly on par with fixed-line options. In addition to recording an increase in the number of CSPs offering a 5G FWA service, Ericsson noted an almost 50% rise in the number offering tariffs based on the data rates available, for a 40% penetration overall. “FWA is currently second only to enhanced mobile broadband as a 5G use case,” the company stated.

Ericsson now predicts that 5G subscriptions will be close to 5.6 billion by the end of 2029, around 60% of all mobile subscriptions. The figure at end-March stood at 1.7 billion after an opening quarter in which around 160 million were added. Ericsson pointed to sluggish uptake of the mid-band spectrum, with deployments in around 25% of all sites globally outside of mainland China giving a population coverage of 35%. “North America and India have made rapid deployments, topping 85% and 90% mid-band coverage, respectively,” it stated.

Ericsson predicted mid-band deployments in India will fuel a surge in overall 5G subscriptions from 119 million at end-2023 to 840 million at the close of 2029. It added the nation leads data consumption per smartphone statistics, forecasting the figure to grow from 29 GB to 68 GB.