Guwahati In its latest edition, the Ericsson Mobility Report (EMR) underscores the growing role of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) as a significant monetisation strategy for communication service providers (CSPs) globally, enabled by rapid 5G deployment. With 5G subscriptions anticipated to touch 2.9 billion worldwide by the end of 2024, telecom operators are increasingly adopting speed-based tariff models to remain competitive with traditional fibre and cable broadband offerings.
The report reveals that more than 80 per cent of global CSPs now offer FWA, with 51 per cent providing speed-based plans, an increase from 40 per cent a year ago. This trend is notably gaining momentum in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. By 2030, FWA is expected to contribute over 35 per cent of new fixed broadband connections, translating to approximately 350 million connections.
“Service providers have recognised this potential of 5G and are beginning to monetise it through innovative service offerings that extend beyond merely selling data plans,” said Erik Ekudden, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Ericsson. “To fully realise the potential of 5G, it is essential to continue deploying 5G Standalone (SA) and further build out mid-band sites.”
India has emerged as a global leader in this digital shift. According to the report, the country will close 2024 with 290 million 5G subscriptions, comprising 24 per cent of the mobile subscriber base. This number is projected to surge to 980 million by 2030. India also leads the world in data consumption, with an average of 32 GB per user per month, a figure expected to nearly double to 62 GB by 2030.
This growth is underpinned by the rapid rollout of mid-band 5G infrastructure, which reached 95 per cent population coverage in India by the end of 2023. This compares with 50 per cent in Europe and over 90 per cent in North America. The widespread availability of mid-band spectrum has allowed Indian telecom operators to deliver both extensive coverage and high-capacity networks, crucial for an enhanced consumer experience.
“At Ericsson, we are proud to support the country’s digitalisation based on the strong 4G and 5G infrastructure that we have set up in the country together with our partners ,the communication service providers, enabling connectivity and driving inclusive growth,” said Nitin Bansal, Managing Director of Ericsson India.
Looking beyond connectivity, CSPs are also exploring a broad range of 5G-enabled use cases in areas such as broadcasting, retail, gaming, and enterprise productivity. The report notes that by the end of 2024, 5G networks were responsible for carrying 35 per cent of global mobile data traffic, with forecasts suggesting this share will rise to 80 per cent by the end of the decade.
As the global telecom industry continues to invest in next-generation networks, 5G and FWA are poised to redefine the broadband landscape, offering faster, more reliable, and more flexible connectivity options to consumers and businesses alike.
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