Fwa: Reliance Jio has edge over Airtel in deploying FWA 5G, claims report – Times of India

Fixed wireless access (FWA) can be an important leg of 5G monetization, as it could give telecom companies an easy entry into homes if priced right; claims a report by Emkay Global. It further adds that telcos could then upsell content, IoT etc, improving their topline. The report further claims that Reliance Jio may have an edge in FWA deployment, with a ‘disclaimer’ that Airtel may catch up.
“RJio has already committed to an investment of $25 billion in 5G (including $11 billion in spectrum). This also includes $5-6 billion investment for FWA, indicating a large commitment by RJio for another new technology,” the report noted.
What likely gives Reliance Jio a headstart
When it comes to preparing for FWA deployment, RJio is relatively ahead of peers on the back of its wider 5G coverage, availability of better spectrum bands, improved fiber infrastructure for backhaul, in-house technology with the Mimosa acquisition and more feet-on-street for acquiring homes once FWA is launched, claims the report.
“Both RJio and Bharti Airtel have 3300MHz and 26GHz band spectrums that can be used to offer FWA services. However, RJio has the expensive 700MHz band that it is using for 5G launch and which can also be used for FWA; this can help RJio offer wider coverage, better signal penetration, and extended range vs. peers,” the report said.
Taking 5G inside your homes
“The roll-out of FWA using 5G can give telcos access to homes that were not previously covered by wireline broadband,” the Emkay report said. Reliance Jio is relatively better placed for 5G and FWA deployments, given its strong fiber network for backhaul vs Airtel.
“RJio’s network – including the metro core network, the aggregate network, and the long-distance network – relies on fiber-optic cables for backhauling. This grants it the capability to take the 5G load, including FWA. RJio uses towers of Summit Digitel; 60 per cent of these towers are fiberised vs only 35 per cent of overall towers in India being fiberised,” the report said. On the other hand, Airtel, with a relatively smaller fiber footprint, will look to strengthen its 5G backhaul with deployment of e-band microwaves on 5G-loaded towers.
Reliance Jio has rolled out 5G in over 5,400 cities and towns in comparison to 3,500 cities/towns for Bharti Airtel. Earlier this year, Jio Platforms signed a agreement of $60 million for acquisition of communications equipment-maker Mimosa Networks. The company has a portfolio of point-to-multi-point products based on WiFi-5 and the newer WiFi 6E technologies, as well as related accessories. “Such solutions have use-cases in the backhaul requirements for a 5G and FTTX/FWA rollout. Mimosa can now help RJio offer cost-effective solutions and products for FWA,” according to the report.