The number of subscriptions to 5G fixed broadband – also known as 5G Fixed Wireless Access or FWA – is set to more than double by the end of the decade according to a new report by Omdia.
Unlike traditional forms of broadband, FWA has no need of a physical connection between the user’s property and the network and is delivered entirely over mobile network technology.
Available in multiple countries including the UK, it can allow new brands to challenge long-established providers and also help deliver faster speeds to areas where upgrading a physical network is too expensive or difficult.
Omdia’s report suggests FWA is now the fastest-growing broadband access technology and forecasts that global subscriptions will grow from 71 million in 2024 to 150 million by 2030, with potential revenues of $46 billion by the same date.
It also suggests FWA is on track to overtake DSL as the world’s third-largest broadband technology and could even become the second most common broadband access technology post-2030.
Regional Highlights
- India is set to become the largest 5G FWA market by 2030, reaching 37 million subscriptions, representing 40% of global share and fueled by Reliance Jio’s aggressive rollout, supported by AI and digital twin technologies.
- The United States will remain a key market, reaching 20 million subscriptions, as operators expand their broadband footprint through diversified FWA offerings.
- Nigeria, Italy, and Japan are expected to join India and the US as the top five 5G FWA markets by 2030.
- Central & Southern Asia, Africa, and Latin America are emerging as high-growth regions, supported by falling CPE prices and innovative bundling strategies.