Qualcomm Believes 5G FWA Could Revolutionize Indian Telecom Market
Qualcomm, the world’s largest smartphone chip maker, sees immense potential for 5G-based fixed wireless access (FWA) services in India. According to a top executive, this technology could be a game changer for Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, two of India’s leading telecommunications companies. 5G FWA services, which utilize millimeter waves and the 26 GHz spectrum, hold the key to speeding up 5G monetization in the country.
Recent tests conducted by both Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel using 5G-based FWA services on the 26 GHz spectrum yielded encouraging results. Despite the intense Mumbai monsoons, the connectivity quality and data speeds remained consistently decent. Qualcomm played an integral role in these trials and monitored the outcomes closely.
One of the advantages highlighted by Qualcomm is the economic benefit of deploying 5G-based FWA using millimeter waves instead of traditional wireline-based fiber broadband. Unlike fiber deployment, which comes with heavy capital expenditure, FWA services require minimal investment in new infrastructure. Operators only need to consider the cost of customer premise equipment (CPE) that facilitates connectivity for multiple dwelling units. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, both possessing significant holdings of low-cost airwaves, are well-positioned to leverage these advantages.
Durga Malladi, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Qualcomm Technologies, emphasized the success of FWA services relying on millimeter waves in markets like Japan, the US, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. This new 5G use case presents a significant revenue opportunity for telecom companies, especially as 5G mobile broadband services struggle without a compelling mass killer app.
India, in particular, exhibits a substantial unmet demand for high-quality broadband connectivity, which became even more apparent during the pandemic. FWA services offer a solution that eliminates the need for long waiting periods for fiber cables to be laid. By purchasing a FWA box (CPE), consumers can quickly and easily establish a reliable broadband connection at home.
Both Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have taken initial steps towards monetizing their 5G capabilities by launching AirFiber or 5G-based FWA services in key markets. Analysts predict that Reliance Jio, in particular, could accelerate the monetization process by bundling PayTV with its FWA services. This could initially appeal to the 85 million homes in India that still lack internet access.
During Reliance Industries’ annual general meeting, Chairman Mukesh Ambani expressed optimism about Jio AirFiber’s potential to connect up to 150,000 homes a day, surpassing the 1,500 homes a day achieved with Jio Fiber. This impressive feat could be attributed to the ability of FWA services to overcome last-mile connectivity challenges.
As the potential for 5G FWA services in India continues to grow, Qualcomm remains at the forefront, working closely with operators to enable rapid and efficient deployment. The company’s commitment to developing cutting-edge mobile technology was evident at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit 2023, where they unveiled their latest mobile processor, the Snapdragon 8-Gen 3.
In conclusion, India’s telecom market stands to gain significantly from the introduction of 5G-based FWA services. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, with their robust infrastructure and successful trial runs, are well-positioned to seize the opportunities presented by this game-changing technology. With the demand for reliable broadband connectivity on the rise, FWA services provide a convenient and efficient solution for consumers across the country.
