The News: The Qualcomm 5G Fixed Wireless Access Ultra Gen 3 platform provides operators mmWave performance and connectivity on par with its previous Gen 3 Platform in a lower power profile, smaller footprint, and reduced overall system cost. Read the full blog on the Qualcomm website.
MWC24: Qualcomm Turbocharges 5G FWA with AI-Infused Ultra Gen 3
Analyst Take: Qualcomm unveils its Qualcomm 5G Fixed Wireless Access Ultra Gen 3 platform aimed at turbocharging global 5G FWA deployments through the implementation of breakthrough capabilities. These capabilities include AI-enhanced system search and selection that delivers high radio frequency (RF) performance using a single Qualcomm QTM567 mmWave antenna module with a 360-degree field of view.
I find that the new built-in AI capabilities deliver breakthrough differentiation for the Qualcomm 5G FWA Ultra Gen 3 platform through the ability to continuously learn and adapt to changing environments, optimizing performance dynamically. The third generation mmWave module (QTM567) augments mmWave coverage and range, ensuring reliable connectivity across the frequently challenging environments of FWA deployments.
Moreover, I find that the platform delivers substantial advances in design efficiency by providing more than 50% less power consumption compared with the previous generation mmWave FWA products. This reinforces the appeal of the next-generation capabilities of the Snapdragon X75 5G Modem RF product including spectrum aggregation, dual connectivity across sub-6Hz and mmWave, and tri-band Wi-Fi 7.
The new Qualcomm platform offering aligns fully with the rapid global expansion of 5G FWA, further bolstering Qualcomm’s competitive position. An update Ericsson study of retail packages offered by mobile services providers has indicated that around 80% have an FWA offering. There are 121 service providers offering FWA services over 5G, representing 50% of all FWA service providers.
In 2023, shipments of FWA indoor and outdoor CPE increased around 31% to reach almost 25 million units. This was powered by strong growth of indoor devices, forecast to reach 21.6 million units, on par with yearly growth of 34%. Remarkably, from 130 million at the end of 2023, FWA connections worldwide are projected to increase to 330 million by the end of 2029, generating up to $75 billion in annual operator revenues. This represents 18% of all fixed broadband connections with close to 85% expected to be over 5G, attesting to FWA’s value in areas such as decreasing society-wide digital divide by addressing locations that alternative fixed broadband technologies, such as fiber, are unable to fulfill.
Plus, the Ericsson ConsumerLab Report showed that 7 out of 10 households using 5G FWA selected it as a complete replacement for their previously used connectivity. The report covers 19 countries and represents 370 million households, where 1.2 billion individuals live. Convenience is stressed as one of the key advantages of FWA, in which case households denote that FWA outperforms wired solutions in ease of installation, customization, and flexibility.
The study also shows that households conveyed higher satisfaction using 5G FWA than fiber in terms of service experience (cost level, delivery time, contract conditions, and equipment quality), and satisfaction is on par with fiber for network performances (speed, indoor coverage, security, and capacity).
Key Takeaway: Qualcomm 5G FWA Ultra Gen 3 Platform Ready to Fuel Global 5G FWA Boom
Overall, I believe the new Qualcomm 5G FWA Ultra Gen 3 platform can enable operators to develop and deliver customer-installable indoor and outdoor mmWave FWA products that decrease environmental footprint and fulfill regional power requirements while ensuring high RF performance and improved self-install capabilities. Now operators are better equipped and positioned to meet the strong growing demand for 5G FWA services.
Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.
Other Insights from The Futurum Group:
MWC 2023: Qualcomm Dramatically Raises 5G FWA Game with FWA Platform Gen 3
T-Mobile and Cradlepoint Aim to Streamline Business Adoption of 5G FWA
Author Information
Ron is an experienced, customer-focused research expert and analyst, with over 20 years of experience in the digital and IT transformation markets, working with businesses to drive consistent revenue and sales growth.
Ron holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy from University of Nevada — Las Vegas and a Bachelor of Arts in political science/government from William and Mary.
