3GPP-based Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) has been around for nearly two decades, starting originally with 3G-based solutions, evolving through 4G LTE to today's 5G NR implementations. But something significant is changing in how carriers approach FWA deployments.
3GPP Fixed Wireless solutions can be categorized across multiple dimensions:
- Radio technology (3G vs 4G vs 5G)
- Frequencies used (Sub-6GHz vs mmWave)
- Chipset capabilities (LTE device categories or 5G NR carrier aggregations)
- Indoor device or Outdoor device – the most fundamental subdivision currently
While both indoor and outdoor FWA have existed historically, recent explosive growth centered primarily on indoor offerings. This dynamic is now shifting toward outdoor devices as enhanced reach and performance accelerate deployments and improve overall FWA economics.
Why Indoor Paved the Way for Early Adoption
Indoor Fixed Wireless devices – typically integrating Wi-Fi access points – offered carriers the most straightforward market entry approach. A single device, self-installed by the end user, follows a familiar fulfilment process not unlike a smartphone – requiring no investment in or dependency on a field workforce.
This simplicity drove FWA user adoption beyond original forecasts, satisfying carrier business cases and marketing objectives significantly ahead of initial projections.
Key advantages of indoor FWA included:
- Simple logistics – ship device directly to customer
- Self-installation – no technician visit required
- Familiar form factor – similar to existing home routers
- Lower upfront costs – reduced deployment expenses per customer
Why the Shift to Outdoor FWA?
Indoor FWA devices are essentially not much different from your smartphones – both have a mobile chipset connecting to a cellular/mobile network. The key difference is that indoor FWA devices are powered by mains electricity rather than a battery, and they have larger antennas than can fit in a smartphone form factor.
Despite continuous network improvements, most users have encountered reception challenges deep inside buildings. When your smartphone signal weakens indoors, you likely move toward windows or step outside. Why? Because radio waves find it easier to travel through the air than they do through walls or windows.
This effect becomes more pronounced at higher frequencies. The higher frequencies used by 5G networks – which provide the bandwidth needed for high-speed broadband – experience greater "attenuation" or "penetration-loss" when passing through building materials like walls, windows, and insulation.
The Physics of Signal Penetration
Understanding why outdoor placement improves performance requires understanding basic radio propagation:
- Building materials absorb and reflect signals – walls, glass, and insulation all reduce signal strength
- Higher frequencies suffer more – 5G signals lose more energy passing through obstacles than 4G
- Multiple barriers compound losses – each wall or window further degrades the signal
- Signal quality affects speed – weaker signals result in lower data rates and higher latency
By placing the FWA device outdoors, carriers can bypass these penetration losses entirely. The outdoor device connects to the cell tower with a clear line of sight (or at least fewer obstacles), then delivers the broadband connection inside the home via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Outdoor Solution Options
When shifting to outdoor FWA solutions, carriers can choose between two primary approaches:
Self-Install Outdoor Solutions
These use compact devices with simple DIY mounting options like window mounting or basic wall brackets. They offer:
- Improved signal quality over indoor devices
- Customer self-installation capability
- Lower deployment costs than technician installation
- Good performance for customers within reasonable range of towers
Technician-Installed Solutions
High-performance devices mounted optimally on buildings by professional installers. They provide:
- Maximum signal quality and performance
- Optimal antenna positioning
- Extended reach to customers farther from towers
- Professional cable management and weatherproofing
The Business Case for Outdoor FWA
The shift to outdoor FWA is driven by compelling economics:
- Increased network capacity – better signal quality means more efficient use of spectrum, allowing more customers per tower
- Expanded coverage – reaching customers who couldn't be served with indoor devices
- Improved customer satisfaction – consistent, reliable performance builds loyalty
- Reduced churn – fewer service issues means customers stay longer
As carriers mature their FWA offerings and seek to maximize return on their 5G network investments, outdoor devices are becoming an essential part of the portfolio.
Conclusion
The evolution from indoor to outdoor FWA represents a natural maturation of the market. Indoor devices served their purpose brilliantly – driving initial adoption and proving the FWA business model. Now, as carriers look to scale their networks and serve more customers with better performance, outdoor solutions are taking center stage.
At NetComm, we're committed to providing carriers with the full range of FWA solutions they need to succeed – from simple indoor devices for easy deployment to sophisticated outdoor solutions for maximum performance and reach.