Expanding Fixed-Wireless Access Would Mean Consumer Savings: CTIA
Making more full-power mid-band licensed spectrum available would stimulate the launch of fixed wireless access, increase home broadband competition and mean savings for consumers, said a CTIA study by Econ One, released Thursday. “FWA is particularly data-intensive compared to typical…
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mobile use, so additional spectrum is the key policy mechanism to enhance the competition FWA is already bringing to the broadband market,” the study said. FWA has been a wireless industry focused worldwide (see 2306140062). AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have unveiled FWA offerings. T-Mobile led the pack with 3.2 million home internet customers at the end of last quarter. If 5G FWA expanded into all cable-only markets, at current FWA price points, consumers would get a 37% drop in the cost of service and “at least $5.7 billion in annual consumer savings alone,” the study said. “Evidence shows FWA is already having a strong competitive impact,” but carriers need more mid-band spectrum, the report argues: “FWA is a particularly data-intensive offering, having to supply high-resolution video for large living room screens rather than just mobile phones.”