GSA: 5G has become a mainstream technology, and 5G FWA CPE shipments will account for 42% this year

According to a recent study conducted by the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), 5G devices will account for 42% of all fixed wireless access customer premises equipment (FWA CPE) shipments this year. This proportion is higher than last year's 34%, and the growth rate indicates that 5G will become the mainstream technology for FWA CPE next year.

GSA also found that 4G FWA CPE shipments fell 5% between 2022 and 2023, lower than the 10% growth in 5G FWA CPE shipments, indicating that 5G FWA is not just replacing 4G FWA, but also opening up new markets.

John Yazlle, Vice President of the GSA 4G/5G FWA Forum, said: “Our FWA CPE market research conducted this year has proven beyond a doubt that 5G FWA has become a mainstream technology. Not only is the growth in vendor shipments firmly supporting 5G CPE equipment, but operators are embracing FWA as a key driver for the return on their 5G network investments.”

John Yazlle also said, "We see operators and equipment suppliers continue to work together to develop innovative products such as 5G SA, Redcap, millimeter wave and flexible self-installed outdoor CPE, which will support the accelerated growth of 5G FWA services around the world."

Although the 5G market continues to grow, the overall FWA market has not yet seen explosive growth. According to the survey, GSA expects FWA CPE shipments to grow 23% this year to 37.5 million units.

The good news is that the geographical spread of FWA CPE usage is expanding, with all regions now well represented, with India in particular taking a 5G FWA-centric approach.

In addition, the report also stated that mmWave is still largely a niche spectrum technology, accounting for less than 10% of all 5G FWA CPE shipments.

Julien Grivolas, Chairman of the GSA 4G/5G FWA Forum, said: “The GSA 4G/5G FWA Forum is committed to bringing the FWA ecosystem together and educating the industry about the FWA market, as there is currently a lack of market definition and consensus in terms of FWA equipment shipments and installed base. This unique survey plays an important role in providing facts and insights into the true state of the FWA market and how it is evolving and growing globally.”

Analysts believe that the upper limit of the market size of FWA is difficult to predict. On the one hand, it is a good alternative broadband technology for any market that lacks fixed-line infrastructure. On the other hand, the speed and capacity of wireless technology cannot approach the speed and capacity provided by fiber, so it is difficult to see the demand for FWA in any place where fiber can be installed.