ICT industry leaders and experts have emphasized the critical role of 5G-Advanced in driving digital transformation and stimulating regional economic growth. During the global Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF) in Istanbul, experts gathered for the third Elite Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Club roundtable, where they discussed the future of FWA, particularly the transformative impact of 5G-Advanced on regional digital economies and its significance in achieving meaningful connectivity goals.
The high-level roundtable featured rotating chairpersons from stc Kuwait and Omantel, alongside leadership from the Samena Telecommunications Council and Huawei. They highlighted the GCC region’s global leadership in implementing 5G FWA, explored growth prospects, and outlined a roadmap for adopting 5G-Advanced technology.
Building on the momentum from its inaugural meeting in December 2023 in Dubai, the Elite FWA Club has become a vital platform for knowledge sharing and strategic collaboration to accelerate FWA adoption in the Middle East and other markets where 5G is being deployed.
Bocar BA, CEO and Board Member of the Samena Telecommunications Council, underscored that 5G-Advanced enhances intelligence and security capabilities. This technology supports applications such as extended reality, industrial IoT, and smart agriculture, all of which contribute to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).
“FWA is essential in our efforts to promote digital inclusion, effectively connecting the unconnected. In alignment with the ITU’s initiatives and the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development’s recommendations, the Samena Council is advancing broadband infrastructure development through innovative funding strategies. FWA represents a compelling option in this regard,” stated BA.
He also highlighted various initiatives supporting the Elite FWA Club, including the Samena Elite, an FWA-focused e-publication, and the FWA Info Series, which provides professionals with insights, survey findings, best practices, and updates on innovation within the FWA market segment.
Addressing the unique climatic conditions of Kuwait and the Middle East, Abdulaziz Al Deweesh from stc Kuwait explained how 5G-Advanced tackles challenges posed by extreme weather. The use of Outdoor Unit (ODU)-based FWA services improves signal penetration, leading to higher customer satisfaction and retention rates compared to traditional 5G routers.
“The enhanced capabilities of 5G-Advanced FWA, including higher data rates, lower latency, and increased network capacity from the new spectrum, will significantly impact end users’ daily productivity. It will also enable new use cases like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and cloud computing, as well as support critical IoT applications requiring ultra-reliable and low-latency communication,” Al Deweesh added.
Omantel has implemented a comprehensive 5G FWA strategy focused on advanced network optimization through millimeter-wave technology and carrier aggregation. The operator has also formed strategic partnerships with device manufacturers to ensure availability and compatibility across its network. Through tailored pricing plans and service bundles, Omantel addresses the specific needs of the Omani market while investing heavily in customer education and support programs to enhance user experience.
Hani Al Mukhaini, Senior Manager of Network Design at Omantel, stated: “Our commitment to extensive network coverage and capacity optimization has allowed us to deliver exceptional user experiences. We are preparing for 5G-Advanced to further enhance our network capabilities and maintain our leading position in technology development.”
Huawei has positioned itself as a key enabler of the 5G FWA ecosystem in the Middle East through comprehensive technological and strategic initiatives. By providing advanced network optimization tools and zero-touch provisioning solutions, Huawei helps telecom operators efficiently manage their 5G FWA networks while ensuring superior user experiences. This technological leadership is complemented by strategic consulting and implementation support, aiding regional operators in achieving their business goals through a deep understanding of local market dynamics.
Edwin Wang, Vice President of Global 5G Marketing and Solution Sales at Huawei, remarked: “As we enter the era of 5G-Advanced and AI, FWA is poised for unprecedented growth by overcoming traditional connectivity challenges. With the introduction of 5G-A CPE, we are transforming the FWA experience from fiber-like to fiber-same, allowing for multi-service offerings like 4K TV and cloud gaming, enhancing the attractiveness of our offers. Additionally, RedCap CPE/MiFi significantly reduces device costs, targeting entry-level users and enabling migration from 4G Cat 4 CPE, effectively offloading 4G. Moving forward, CPE will become the Smart Home Hub portal, not just for connectivity but also integrating multimodal and AI functionalities, including camera, voice control, and edge computing capabilities.”
Participants at the FWA roundtable discussed how technology is facilitating critical use cases across various sectors. In healthcare, this includes connected ambulances and remote patient monitoring. In education, virtual classrooms are providing learning opportunities in underserved areas. The technology also enhances transportation systems and supports sustainability initiatives through energy-efficient solutions and smart city development.
The discussions highlighted how regional operators align their 5G-Advanced initiatives with national visions, such as Kuwait Vision 2035 and Oman Vision 2040, particularly in sustainability and digital transformation. Both stc Kuwait and Omantel shared their comprehensive approaches to sustainable practices, focusing on energy-efficient infrastructure and reducing carbon footprints.
