Designing the Next Generation of Fixed Wireless Access Antennas for 4G and 5G Connectivity

Link to full Insight Article here

Sponsored by Poynting Antennas
As 4G and 5G networks extend deeper into urban, suburban and rural regions, advanced Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) antennas are redefining how broadband is delivered. This article explores the research, design, and testing processes that enable robust FWA performance from 617 MHz to 7200 MHz.

A Changing Connectivity Landscape
The demand for reliable broadband has never been greater. From remote work and digital education to IoT-enabled agriculture and industry, the global reliance on high-capacity wireless networks continues to accelerate. Yet, in many regions, fibre and copper infrastructure remain economically unfeasible or physically impractical. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) bridges this gap—delivering broadband via radio links instead of cables. Its success, however, depends heavily on one component often taken for granted: the antenna system. The performance, design, and efficiency of these antennas determine how effectively FWA can serve both dense urban environments and isolated rural communities.

Research: Understanding Market and Spectrum Realities
Before design begins, FWA antenna development must start with research—mapping real-world deployment needs, available spectrum, and cost-to-performance trade-offs. At the lower end of the spectrum (617 MHz–960 MHz), extended coverage and better building penetration are achievable—ideal for rural connectivity where tower spacing is large. Higher frequency bands (up to 7200 MHz) offer higher data capacity and reduced latency for suburban and urban use cases. This balance between coverage and throughput defines the architectural decisions behind every new generation of FWA antennas. Emerging markets demand cost-effective outdoor antennas that enhance existing router performance, reduce cable losses, and maintain consistent throughput in variable weather conditions. Urban regions, meanwhile, prioritize compact, aesthetically neutral designs with precise directional control to avoid interference.

Design: From Concept to Electromagnetic Reality
The design phase converts these needs into practical engineering outcomes. It starts with concept development—selecting antenna types suited for FWA environments, such as omni-directional units for broad coverage and directional or sector antennas for high-throughput links. Modern antenna design leverages advanced electromagnetic simulation tools that predict performance under realistic conditions. These simulations assess parameters such as radiation pattern, impedance matching, and beamwidth. Materials are chosen not only for RF efficiency but also for resilience—UV-stabilized plastics, corrosion-resistant metals, and weatherproof sealing enable long-term outdoor operation.

Wireless Theory: Why Antenna Design Matters
Wireless communication relies on electromagnetic waves carrying data from transmitter to receiver. Modulation schemes like Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) embed information into the carrier wave by varying both amplitude and phase, allowing multiple bits per symbol. Even under perfect conditions, a signal weakens as it travels—a phenomenon known as Free Space Path Loss (FSPL). FSPL increases with both distance and frequency, meaning higher-frequency 5G links require more precise antenna gain and alignment to maintain stable connections. Effective FWA design compensates for FSPL through optimized gain, beam shaping, and careful alignment between transmitting and receiving antennas.

Simulation and Iteration: The Digital Testing Ground
Sophisticated 3D electromagnetic solvers now make it possible to simulate antenna behavior long before fabrication. By testing multiple prototypes virtually, engineers can iteratively refine parameters such as impedance bandwidth, isolation between ports, and overall radiation efficiency. The result is an antenna optimized not only for maximum gain but also for stability across frequency bands and operating environments. This virtual testing phase shortens development cycles and reduces costly physical re-spins.

Designing Next Generation FWA Antennas

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A Changing Connectivity Landscape

The demand for reliable broadband has never been greater. From remote work and digital education to IoT-enabled agriculture and industry, the global reliance on high-capacity wireless networks continues to accelerate. Yet, in many regions, fibre and copper infrastructure remain economically unfeasible or physically impractical. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) bridges this gap—delivering broadband via radio links instead of cables. Its success, however, depends heavily on one component often taken for granted: the antenna system. The performance, design, and efficiency of these antennas determine how effectively FWA can serve both dense urban environments and isolated rural communities.

Research: Understanding Market and Spectrum Realities

Before design begins, FWA antenna development must start with research—mapping real-world deployment needs, available spectrum, and cost-to-performance trade-offs. At the lower end of the spectrum (617 MHz–960 MHz), extended coverage and better building penetration are achievable—ideal for rural connectivity where tower spacing is large. Higher frequency bands (up to 7200 MHz) offer higher data capacity and reduced latency for suburban and urban use cases. This balance between coverage and throughput defines the architectural decisions behind every new generation of FWA antennas. Emerging markets demand cost-effective outdoor antennas that enhance existing router performance, reduce cable losses, and maintain consistent throughput in variable weather conditions. Urban regions, meanwhile, prioritize compact, aesthetically neutral designs with precise directional control to avoid interference.

Design: From Concept to Electromagnetic Reality

The design phase converts these needs into practical engineering outcomes. It starts with concept development—selecting antenna types suited for FWA environments, such as omni-directional units for broad coverage and directional or sector antennas for high-throughput links. Modern antenna design leverages advanced electromagnetic simulation tools that predict performance under realistic conditions. These simulations assess parameters such as radiation pattern, impedance matching, and beamwidth. Materials are chosen not only for RF efficiency but also for resilience—UV-stabilized plastics, corrosion-resistant metals, and weatherproof sealing enable long-term outdoor operation.

Wireless Theory: Why Antenna Design Matters

Wireless communication relies on electromagnetic waves carrying data from transmitter to receiver. Modulation schemes like Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) embed information into the carrier wave by varying both amplitude and phase, allowing multiple bits per symbol. Even under perfect conditions, a signal weakens as it travels—a phenomenon known as Free Space Path Loss (FSPL). FSPL increases with both distance and frequency, meaning higher-frequency 5G links require more precise antenna gain and alignment to maintain stable connections. Effective FWA design compensates for FSPL through optimized gain, beam shaping, and careful alignment between transmitting and receiving antennas.

Simulation and Iteration: The Digital Testing Ground

Sophisticated 3D electromagnetic solvers now make it possible to simulate antenna behavior long before fabrication. By testing multiple prototypes virtually, engineers can iteratively refine parameters such as impedance bandwidth, isolation between ports, and overall radiation efficiency. The result is an antenna optimized not only for maximum gain but also for stability across frequency bands and operating environments. This virtual testing phase shortens development cycles and reduces costly physical re-spins.

Validation: Laboratory and Field Performance

No simulation is complete without real-world verification. Laboratory testing in anechoic chambers measures return loss, gain, and radiation patterns under controlled conditions. Environmental testing then subjects prototypes to extremes of temperature, humidity, wind, and vibration to validate durability. Field trials follow—deployments in rural and urban sites where engineers measure throughput, latency, and signal integrity under operational load. These trials often reveal practical installation insights such as optimal mounting height, cabling considerations, and router-integration behavior.

Manufacturing for Scalability and Quality

Once performance is validated, antenna production must meet large-scale demand without compromising precision. Efficient manufacturing hinges on component standardization, supply-chain reliability, and stringent quality assurance at every stage. Scalable production ensures that high-performance FWA antennas remain economically viable for both large network operators and small rural ISPs. Global demand for multi-band solutions is accelerating—manufacturers now design platforms flexible enough to support LTE, 4G, 5G, and even Wi-Fi backhaul from a single housing.

Real-World Deployments: Rural and Urban Examples

Rural deployments highlight the transformative power of low-band antennas (617–960 MHz). In these regions, subscribers who previously relied on satellite or unreliable DSL can now access broadband exceeding 50 Mbps using outdoor FWA installations. Urban tests, conversely, demonstrate how higher-band antennas (3.3–7.2 GHz) enable multi-gigabit 5G connectivity in high-density environments. By integrating multiple antenna elements and supporting MIMO operation, these solutions achieve both capacity and stability even amid heavy network contention.

The Road Ahead: MIMO, Efficiency, and Sustainability

Next-generation FWA antennas will increasingly incorporate massive-MIMO architectures, supporting advanced beamforming and dynamic spectrum allocation. Sustainability is also becoming integral to design philosophy. Modern manufacturers are adopting recyclable materials, modular housings, and energy-efficient production methods. As networks expand, environmental responsibility and performance optimization will no longer be competing priorities—they will be inseparable.

Conclusion

Fixed Wireless Access is no longer a stopgap for unconnected regions; it has evolved into a critical component of the 5G ecosystem. Behind every successful deployment lies a meticulously engineered antenna—one that balances gain, coverage, and aesthetics with the realities of mass deployment. As the 4G-to-5G transition continues, antenna innovation remains pivotal in determining the reach, reliability, and sustainability of wireless broadband.

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The promise of mmWave

5G millimeter wave spectrum uses very high frequencies: 24 GHz and higher on the 5G spectrum chart. In these frequencies, and their abundance lies the great promise of delivering very high-speed broadband in the multi-gigabit range. However, the physics of high-frequency transmission represents a challenge for mmWave communications, which have traditionally suffered from interference and propagation loss.

Until recently, mmWave spectrum was not widespread, limiting the number of operators able to adopt and champion the technology. Today, mmWave spectrum is becoming more widely available and always much less expensive than sub-6 GHz, making it a cost-effective, high-capacity option for operators.

Available spectrum is, of course, only useful when technology is available and sufficiently mature to use it. The 5G ecosystem has grown significantly since mmWave was initially launched. Chipsets are available for mobile and FWA applications and extensive R&D has gone into solutions that overcome many of the challenges of mmWave.

And through deployments and breakthroughs in technology, we’ve shown that mmWave is capable of much more than was once assumed:

• mmWave can be used in urban, suburban and rural areas without the need for costly network densification
• mmWave can be used in non-line-of-sight conditions
• mmWave can avoid environmental disruptions
• mmWave can cover distances exceeding 10 km in the right rural environment.

The capacity crunch

The first wave of 5G radio brought new frequency bands to the table, offering significant capacity through increased bandwidth and 5G technologies, later resulted in higher spectral efficiency. These 5G sub-6GHz upgrades were made for enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), but operators soon learned that this additional capacity could generate all new revenues through broadband services delivered by FWA. Sub-6 GHz launched the FWA revolution and made it the #1 new revenue generating use case for 5G.

Of course, nothing comes for free, and many operators have struggled with the reality that FWA customers consume 20 times more data than mobile customers. To sustain growth, operators need additional capacity.

That capacity is available using millimeter wave spectrum at 24 GHz and higher. A typical operator has access to 400-800 MHz spectrum at mmWave compared to ~ 40-50MHz at sub-6 GHz TDD (Time Division Duplex). Therefore, mmWave is ideally suited for providing high-capacity and high-data-rate FWA services.

At congested base stations, mmWave can provide a capacity overlay, serving nearby FWA subscribers and freeing up mid-band resources for mobile users and distant FWA customers. Nokia studies indicate that sub-6 GHz networks can become saturated at 12% penetration of FWA services in suburban areas. With a mmWave overlay, operators can support up to 40% penetration while achieving an 84% higher Discounted Cumulative Cash Flow (DCCF) in year seven. All while leaving plenty of capacity available for mobile broadband.

More than just capacity: a versatile business enabler

mmWave FWA is now proving its value across a range of broadband use cases. Whether in high-traffic urban centers, dense residential areas, or targeted enterprise deployments, mmWave has evolved from a technical curiosity to a strategic enabler of business value that brings a new set of opportunities.

• In dense urban areas, mmWave supports premium 5G (fixed and mobile) experiences while easing mid-band congestion
• Multi-dwelling units and high-density housing can be served with a single mmWave broadband backhaul enabling operators to serve the entire building while ensuring that every tenant receives the same, consistent level of broadband service
• In enterprise and venue environments, it creates opportunities for high-value service tiers and SLAs
• For industrial applications, it enables fast and reliable connectivity to locations that can be difficult to reach, enabling high-speed telemetry and video monitoring
• For business applications mmWave has the capacity to establish true Ethernet links between business entities with Ethernet PDU (Protocol Data Unit)

Overcoming challenges with intelligent solutions

FWA has adapted in recent years to meet the mmWave challenges of high attenuation and propagation loss. According to GSA’s mmWave Hot Topic, 203 operators in 56 countries are now investing in mmWave network deployments—supported by a growing ecosystem of mmWave-capable devices. Adoption of mmWave FWA has taken time, but its growth is marked by technological advancements.

Fixed Wireless Access devices for the home are far more powerful than ever before. Very high-gain antennas are now capable of picking up reflected signals, which enables non-line-of-sight operation. Devices with a 360-degree view of the radio environment can detect these reflections from any angle to increase the likelihood of finding a usable signal. With the added benefit of intelligent algorithms, they can adapt automatically to changing environments without the need for human intervention, enabling consistent coverage as trees grow, neighborhoods change, and obstructions occur, with sub-6 GHz signals on hand to maintain connectivity under the worst of conditions. And thanks to the latest high-gain antennas, mmWave is being successfully harnessed to provide 5G FWA to rural and remote areas that were previously believed to be impossible to serve with mmWave.

These aren’t just theoretical benefits. NBN Co. in Australia is using mmWave to offer FWA at multiple service tiers, including a gigabit service, to customers who previously only had access to satellite internet services. As of January 2025, NBN had more than 70,000 subscribers using those FWA broadband services and has demonstrated connectivity speeds of up to 2.3 Gbps at almost 9 km from the transmitting site.

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Originally referred to as “NR-Light,” Release 17 RedCap simplifies the 5G device transceiver by limiting bandwidth (up to 20 MHz), removing support for carrier aggregation and dual connectivity, and supporting single-antenna configurations. These design choices significantly reduce device complexity, size and power consumption while maintaining a peak data rate of up to 226 Mbps in downlink and up to 120 Mbps in uplink. In Release 18, eRedCap takes this further, targeting applications with even more modest data rate requirements by capping the peak data rate to 10 Mbps in both downlink and uplink, contributing to  further reduce the device cost compared to RedCap.

In addition, Release 17 introduces some features for lowering the device power consumption that can be implemented by RedCap devices, eRedCap devices, and other 5G NR devices. The introduction in Release 13 of extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) cycles for battery endurance stretching into years for industrial sensors and wearables is further improved in Release 18 to provide even better battery life by enabling even longer cycles.

Crucially, RedCap is based on the 5G Standalone (SA) architecture, unlocking features such as network slicing, URLLC, API-based network services and cloud-native orchestration. This provides mobile network operators with the flexibility to serve a broader spectrum of IoT use cases without relying on legacy LTE infrastructure.

Early RedCap ecosystem momentum

As of April 2025, GSA has identified 30 operators across 21 countries investing in RedCap, including commercial launches by China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Dito (Philippines), STC (Kuwait) and T-Mobile US. Commercial tests and pilot deployments are underway globally, spanning the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

This early operator deployment momentum is being mirrored in the device ecosystem where leading chipset vendors such as Qualcomm, MediaTek, ASR and Sequans are providing RedCap-ready platforms. Module makers including Fibocom, Quectel, Telit Cinterion, Smawave and MeiG Smart have introduced RedCap-enabled products targeting gateways, wearables and CPEs. GCF-certified RedCap modules and devices are now emerging, with further growth expected throughout 2025 and 2026.

RedCap’s relevance spans both IoT and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) domains and both consumer and industrial products. In IoT, RedCap enables scalable deployments across verticals such as industrial automation, smart energy and logistics, in retail with Point of Sales devices, and through consumer wearables such as smart watches and connected health devices. For instance, wireless industrial sensors can now benefit from enhanced uplink performance and energy efficiency, while wearables can offer voice over NR (VoNR) support without sacrificing form factor or battery life. Smart grid applications, such as substation telemetry and distribution automation, stand to benefit from RedCap’s latency and throughput profile, particularly in uplink-dominant traffic scenarios.

In parallel, RedCap is emerging as a viable alternative for FWA in markets transitioning away from LTE. GSA data shows that, as of late 2024, 494 operators in 176 countries had launched LTE or 5G FWA services. With 5G SA networks expanding and spectrum refarming on the agenda, RedCap-capable FWA CPEs present a compelling opportunity to deliver broadband to underserved regions, while freeing up LTE assets and simplifying operators’ RAN portfolios.

RedCap future

However, while RedCap is an abbreviation of Reduced Capability, the name can be misleading. New RedCap-based AI-enhanced devices are now being brought to market by vendors, combining local compute with smart networking. Supporting intelligent features such as adaptive roaming and power optimization modes using embedded AI models, RedCap devices can extend beyond connectivity to become an intelligent platform for service delivery.

Nevertheless, deployment is not without challenges. RedCap requires a functioning 5G SA core and while momentum is building, with GSA data reporting 154 operators investing in SA as of Q1 2025, coverage remains uneven. Roaming support is similarly nascent, requiring dedicated inter-PLMN agreements and the introduction of RedCap RAT types in core policy frameworks. Furthermore, network policies must be carefully managed to prevent low-complexity RedCap devices from adversely affecting cell-level resource efficiency, particularly in high-density scenarios.

For mobile ecosystem vendors, encompassing chipset suppliers, module manufacturers, device OEMs and infrastructure providers, RedCap represents both a commercial opportunity and a strategic lever for the deployment of new 5G use cases. By enabling cost-effective, future-proof connectivity across a diverse device landscape, RedCap supports the industry’s transition to scalable 5G SA infrastructure, while preparing the ground for future 6G use cases.

As RedCap matures, it will place a central role in the mid-tier device segment, replacing LTE Cat-3 / Cat-4 in IoT, and supporting mass-market 5G FWA deployments in parallel. Looking forward to the replacement of LTE Cat-1/Cat-1bis, eRedCap will further extend this value proposition into constrained device categories starting in 2026 and beyond.

This article previously appeared in 3GPP Highlights Issue 10 (June 2025)

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Sponsored by Fibocom
Fixed Wireless Access has grown from a niche solution into a mainstream connectivity option. With its ability to rapidly deliver high-speed internet to underserved areas FWA has emerged as a compelling alternative and complement to traditional broadband. Now, propelled by the capabilities of 5G and artificial intelligence (AI), FWA is entering an exciting new phase promising not only faster connections but also smarter and more personalised network experiences.

The Rise of FWA in the 5G Era
The global momentum behind FWA is clear. According to the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), as of late 2024, 494 operators in 176 countries and territories had launched FWA services using LTE or 5G technologies. Among them, 169 were offering residential or business 5G FWA broadband services – up more than 300% since 2021. Europe leads the way with 72 commercially launched 5G FWA networks, followed closely by the Middle East and Africa​.

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How the fusion of AI and 5G Fixed Wireless Access will deliver a new era of intelligent connectivity

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This is a whitepaper of the GSMA 5G IoT Community.

Link to the full GSMA white paper is here.

The initial 5G 3GPP Release (Release 15) targeted applications in three service categories – enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communications (uRLLC) and the low-throughput and battery-efficient massive machine-type communication (mMTC), as defined by the ITU Radiocommunication Sector’s IMT-2020 specification. After the commercial roll-out of numerous 5G networks across the globe, a need has emerged for a variant of 5G in which the performance and costs are optimised for use cases that fall in-between these initial service categories. To fill this gap, 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability1 ) was introduced in 3GPP Release 17 as a 5G variant (see Figure 1), and was followed by the even leaner 5G eRedCap (Enhanced Reduced Capability), specified in Release 18. Mobile network operators (MNOs) can now service the full spectrum of IoT use cases with the 5G standard, including those applications which are either too demanding to implement with the low power wide area (LPWA) connectivity of 5G mMTC (NB-IoT and LTE-M), or too basic for the over-performing eMBB and uRLLC capabilities of 5G New Radio.

  b

Figure 1. RedCap/eRedCap positioning against 5G use case groups defined in IMT-2020

RedCap and eRedCap are based on the 5G standalone (SA) architecture, and can thus convey a multitude of benefits to IoT applications, such as:

— Higher peak data rates: Superior data rates are offered than mMTC, comparable to lower LTE categories, meaning 5G RedCap can support smart grid monitoring, video surveillance and other more demanding applications.

— Reduced latency: Round-trip delays are lower than, or match those, of LTE, enabling applications that require the near real-time exchange of data, such as industrial automation, wireless sensors, wearables and even low-end extended reality devices.

— Reduced power consumption: Improved power efficiency enables an extended lifetime in batterypowered devices. This is extremely important for devices, such as wearables or sensors, for which the original 5G NR consumes too much energy.

These enhancements, also come with a considerable reduction in device complexity and cost, making RedCap/eRedCap the new technology of choice for a range of IoT applications, such as: — Wireless industrial sensors: Monitoring and controlling remote equipment to improve efficiency and safety in industrial settings.

— Video surveillance: Transmitting real-time video feeds to improve security and deter crime.

— Smart grids: Monitoring and managing the power grid to help improve the efficiency and reliability of energy supplies.

— Smart wearables: Connecting wearable devices for lone workers, public safety officers, and assisted living, or health and fitness trackers.

Finally, 5G RedCap and eRedCap are well-positioned to play an important role in future IoT deployments, emerging as the primary migration path for services still communicating today over legacy 2G, 3G and 4G networks. As RedCap will only gradually become widely available, and roaming frameworks still to be put in place for global coverage, both RedCap and LTE will co-exist for a while, catering to the needs of the aforementioned IoT applications. The pace of technology migration will largely depend on individual MNOs’ strategies and some regions will adopt RedCap faster than others.

RedCap/eRedCap for IOT – GSMA Whitepaper

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This paper explores the transformative potential of 5G Broadcast (5GB) technology, a new platform to deliver content directly to smartphones, CPE (customer premises equipment) or any other smart device with a 5G modem chip (5GB enabled). 5G Broadcast is a standalone technology that works independently of cellular services (i.e. without an eSIM/SIM card), WIFI, Bluetooth or satellite. Since broadcast is a one-way communication standard utilizing phones/devices set to ‘receive-only’ mode, unlike traditional internet downloads (unicast), 5G Broadcast utilizes a one-to-many approach, like TV and radio broadcasts ensuring efficient content delivery, freeing up valuable network resources and paving the way for exciting applications.

This paper provides an overview of 5G Broadcast technology, its applications, and its potential to add a new layer to content delivery. Additionally, it introduces the 5G Broadcast Collective, a non-profit association launched by XGN. The paper highlights the technical underpinnings of 5G Broadcast, including the role of FeMBMS (Further evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service) and the importance of 3GPP’s standardized approach. Further it delves into the benefits 5GB offers, including:

Emergency alerts and critical first responder solutions .

• Data delivery services
• Data offloading opportunities for cellular carriers
• Support for diverse applications beyond entertainment, including location-based services.
• Improved traditional linear programming streams (television and radio)

Finally, the paper acknowledges the technology’s current stage of development and highlights its promising future as a game-changer for efficient mobile content consumption.

Introduction to 5G Broadcast

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World Radiocommunication Conference 20 November — 15 December 2023 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Less than a year from now, Member States of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will convene in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the next World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC‑23).

The conference gives ITU Member States the opportunity to update the Radio Regulations — the international treaty that governs the use of the frequency spectrum and associated satellite orbits. The ITU Radio Regulations enable countries to provide access to new wireless terrestrial and satellite systems, technologies and services while simultaneously ensuring that all radio systems can coexist without receiving harmful interference.

The visionary signatories of the first International Radio Telegraph Convention back in 1906 already foresaw that future conferences would modify the Convention and the complementing Regulations.

Opening doors to new applications

Indeed, the digital revolution has opened the doors to a variety of new applications that are spurring greater interest in, and demand for, the world’s limited spectrum and orbital resources. This increased demand sometimes requires changes to the regulatory framework. The Radio Regulations have continuously taken advantage of technological developments to increase the efficient use of the spectrum and facilitate spectrum access. Modifications to the international treaty have addressed the needs of new services along with the spectrum requirements of existing services; ensured the timely availability of spectrum and corresponding regulatory provisions; and maintained the benefits of globally harmonized frequency bands.

Draft CPM Report now available

Looking at all that is at stake at each World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) can be a challenging task. However, I am delighted to say we have reached an important landmark towards WRC‑23 with the completion of the draft Conference Preparatory Meeting Report — now available on our portal in English, with other languages to follow. The draft CPM Report includes important study results from the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU–R) ahead of WRC‑23 as well as proposed ways forward to resolve issues on the conference agenda. I should here acknowledge all the efforts put into this process by our members, under the exceptional leadership of the chairs of all responsible groups and of the CPM chair and her steering committee and management team.

Without all those efforts over the last three years, we would not have been able to carry out complex ITU–R preparatory studies and meet the deadline for completion of the draft CPM texts by the responsible ITU–R groups. The over 900 pages of the draft CPM Report, the numerous methods and alternatives proposed to satisfy agenda items, and the many views presented in the draft CPM texts all reflect the complexity of the issues on the WRC‑23 agenda and the challenges of virtual meetings during the first two years of this cycle.

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Countdown to WRC-23: ITUNews Magazine

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This report has been commissioned by Digital Catapult to provide an informative and realistic appraisal of the Private Network landscape in the UK.

UK5G led the creation of the report, bringing together insights from real world experience of deploying private networks from across the DCMS 5G Testbeds & Trials Programme, with insightful landscaping work provided by delivery partner Real Wireless.

This report aims to introduce the UK’s private cellular networks market landscape to prospective end-users and buyers. The report makes no policy recommendations, but rather defines key terms, outlines benefits, opportunities, challenges and key technologies and introduces some prospective suppliers and representative examples from the UK.

Private Cellular Networks (PCNs) have been around in the UK for decades. With the advent of 4G and 5G, they add a powerful tool in the panoply of enterprise networking technologies – enabling even those most stringent and demanding business-critical wireless industry vertical applications – spanning industries as diverse as healthcare, manufacturing, transport, logistics and construction.

Private networks combine with established and new industry vertical specific disciplines and technologies, such as med-tech and production automation (Industry 4.0), to deliver new value propositions. The industry vertical applications (or use cases) are the most important thing here – and the value that they bring. Benefits are often perceived in terms of value innovation, and this is enabled by the latest technology innovation.

The UK Private Cellular Networks Market – UK5G

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GSA Research

Mobile industry research is the backbone of GSA activity and covers topics from devices, chipsets and technology, to networks, features and spectrum.

The GSA research team is constantly following market dynamics and activity to ensure the latest data is available to GSA users via the GSA website.

Data is updated monthly and quarterly and can be referenced by users who register for free on the GSA website and download multiple reports, charts and videos of webinars. GSA welcomes any contributions on industry data from mobile operators, vendors and suppliers what want to ensure accurate industry data is shared globally.

GSA GAMBoD Database

GSA reports are based on extensive data contained in the GSA GAMBoD databases, which is a resource available to GSA members and associates. Companies and policy makers can subscribe, as a GSA associate, to gain access to GSA databases and member reports for additional insights into the source data behind reports, which can be used for their own research purposes.

Discounted annual subscription are available to regulators, government agencies and licensed mobile operators.

Please email info@gsacom.com for more information.

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From 28 February to 4 March, the MWC show took place as an in-person event in Barcelona. In this report we analyse the key themes from the show.

Insight

The return of a physical show heralded the reappearance of many familiar themes in the mobile landscape. There was a noticeable energy at the event from exhibitors and attendees, and although attendee numbers were lower than normal, it was a far cry from the empty halls of 2021. However, the show took place against a difficult geopolitical backdrop, which resulted in little media attention to MWC outside the flow of technology news, and a sense of wider uncertainty permeated the show’s discourse.

As CCS Insight predicted, the conversation about 5G turned to the maturing of the technology and its ability to drive value, which was a core theme of the show. The network and infrastructure space saw plenty of development in cloud-native networking, 5G-based edge computing, virtual radio access network (RAN) and Open RAN.

Devices had a relatively quiet show, with almost no notable product announcements. The breakout device-makers of recent years, such as Oppo and Xiaomi, flexed their muscles with large stands demonstrating products, which included devices with flexible screens. Major semiconductor players such as Qualcomm and MediaTek had an important presence as enablers of the next generation of connected devices.

The metaverse was thankfully a relatively muted topic of conversation, with greater nuance than we had expected. Instead of simply driving hype, mentions of the metaverse largely focussed on a more gradual transition to next-generation spatial computing experiences and the infrastructure needed for this.

Sustainability spread its roots across the show to the extent that it was notable when major companies did not at least attempt to communicate their green credentials. It has become a firmly embedded part of conversations about networking and devices. It is easy for companies to say they care about the environment, and the important next step is for these words to turn into measurable, demonstrable and accountable actions.

MWC 2022 – Major Themes

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GSA Research

Mobile industry research is the backbone of GSA activity and covers topics from Devices, Chipsets and Technology, to Networks, Features and Spectrum.

The GSA Research Team is constantly following market dynamics and activity to ensure the latest data is available to GSA users via the GSA website.

Data is updated monthly and quarterly and can be referenced by users who register for free on the GSA web site.

GSA GAMBoD Database

GSA reports are based on extensive data contained in the GSA GAMBoD databases, which is a resource available to GSA Members and Associates. Companies and policy makers can subscribe, as a GSA Associate, to gain access to GSA databases and Member Reports for additional insights into the source data behind reports, which can be used for their own research purposes.

Discounted annual subscription are available to regulators, government agencies and licensed mobile operators.

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