RJio has edge over Airtel in deploying FWA 5G tech to enter homes: Report

A report on Tuesday showed that leading telcos are likely to use Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology to enter Indian homes first and then upgrade to fiber once available, Reliance Jio may have an advantage in deploying FWA although Airtel may catch up. catch up. .

FWA will be an important point in 5G monetization, because it can give telcos easy entry into homes if priced right, and telcos can then upsell content, Internet of Things (IoT) etc. to improve their bottom line, according to a report by Emkay Global.

The report noted, “RJio has already committed to investing $25 billion in 5G (including $11 billion in spectrum). This also includes $5-6 billion investment in FWA, which indicates a significant commitment from RJio to another new technology.”

When it comes to preparing for FWA deployment, RJio is relatively ahead of its peers on the back of wider 5G coverage, availability of better spectrum bands, improved fiber infrastructure for backhaul networks, in-house technology with the acquisition of Mimosa and more foot-on-street home purchases once FWA launches.

“Both RJio and Bharti Airtel have 3300MHz and 26GHz bandwidth spectrum which can be used to provide FWA services. However, RJio has the expensive 700MHz band which it is using to launch 5G which can also be used for FWA; this can help RJio in Presentation “Wider coverage, better signal penetration, and extended range compared to peers,” the report explained.

Reliance Jio has launched 5G network in more than 5,400 cities and towns compared to 3,500 cities/towns for Bharti Airtel.

“Deploying FWA with 5G can give carriers access to homes not previously covered by wired broadband,” Emkay’s report said.

In March, Jio Platforms signed a definitive $60 million agreement to purchase telecom equipment maker Mimosa Networks.

Mimosa has a range of multipoint products that are based on WiFi-5 and newer WiFi 6E technologies, as well as related accessories. Mimosa can provide an architecture for high-speed connectivity for both end-user and delivery applications.

“Such solutions have use cases in connectivity requirements for launching 5G and FTTX/FWA networks. Mimosa can now help RJio provide cost-effective solutions and products for FWA,” according to the report.

Reliance Jio is relatively better positioned for 5G and FWA deployments, due to its strong uplink fiber network versus Airtel.

“RJio’s network — including its core metro network, total network, and long-distance network — relies on fiber optic cables for connectivity. This gives it the ability to carry 5G payload, including FWA. RJio uses Summit Digitel towers for 60 percent of its capacity,” the report said. These towers are made of fiber, for only 35 percent of the total towers in India.

On the other hand, Airtel, which has a relatively smaller fiber footprint, will look to strengthen 5G connectivity by deploying electronic microwaves on towers loaded with 5G.

Bharti Airtel has partnered with local cable operators (LCOs) to increase the home add-on rate. However, RJio’s footprint on the street looks bigger compared to Bharti Airtel, with the former adding 0.25 million homes per month versus Bharti’s monthly addition of 0.14 million in the second half of FY23.

“Furthermore, this larger footprint could help RJio acquire homes faster than its peers, once FWA launches,” the report noted.

– Jans

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