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        FWA Could Boost UK Economy to the Tune of £4bn – Report



                                                                                 from around 100 in April 2023.

                                                                                 Stats coming out of Australia last
                                                                                 month revealed that the number of
                                                                                 FWA users has almost doubled over
                                                                                 the past two years to 510,000 as of the
                                                                                 end of 2023.

                                                                                 And just last week, Odido saw fit to
                                                                                 launch the Netherlands' first FWA
                                                                                 service, despite the fact that the
                                                                                 country has one of the most extensive
                                                                                 fibre footprints in Europe.

                                                                                 UKWISPA, which advocates on behalf
                                                                                 of FWA providers, understandably
                                                                                 wants the technology to thrive in
                                                                                 the UK as well, and has made five
                                                                                 policy recommendations for the
        The UK Wireless Internet Service     put too heavy an emphasis on fibre,   government to consider.
        Providers Association (UKWISPA) has   without considering the benefits of
        called on the government to consider   alternative technologies, namely FWA.  They include ensuring that FWA
        more widespread use of fixed wireless                                    is considered alongside fixed
        access (FWA) to meet its Project     Going wireless promises to extend the   broadband tech when the
        Gigabit targets.                     benefits of high-speed broadband    government plans future market
                                             more rapidly and cost-effectively   interventions, and recognising that
        A report carried out on the lobby    than fixed, UKWISPA said, delivering   FWA as a competitor to fibre can put
        group's behalf by Intelligens        instantaneous connectivity, especially   downward pressure on prices for end
        Consulting claims that the country   in hard-to-reach areas.             users.
        could reap up to £4 billion worth
        of economic benefits from the        While UKWISPA concedes that current   UKWISPA also wants the government
        technology.                          FWA services do not deliver gigabit   to ensure fair spectrum allocation for
                                             speeds, it argues that such is the   wireless broadband providers, and
        The figure can be broken down into   pace of technological development   consider dedicated FWA spectrum
        £1 billion of savings from rolling out   that this won't necessarily always be   channels.
        connectivity faster and more cost-   the case.
        effectively, and generating £3 billion                                   Furthermore, the lobby group has
        from rural and remote households     "This report highlights the huge role   called on the government to make
        signing up to FWA services.          of FWA alongside fibre in achieving   it easier for smaller providers to sell
                                             the UK's ambitions to provide       services to the public sector.
        Under Project Gigabit, the government   comprehensive access to gigabit
        has doled out more than £1 billion   broadband connectivity," said       "UK infrastructure investors, the DSIT
        from a total budget of £5 billion to   UKWISPA chairman David Burns. "Not   (Department for Science, Innovation
        extend gigabit-capable broadband     only can roll-out be accelerated,   and Technology), Ofcom and BDUK
        to unserved areas. It's going pretty   but both urban and rural locations   (Broadband Delivery UK) are all slowly
        well so far – gigabit broadband      can get their enhanced connectivity   realising the untapped potential
        coverage reached 81% in January,     sooner, and at less cost."          that FWA has in accelerating gigabit
        and is on track to hit the government's                                  Internet rollout, and the advantages
        target of 85% by 2025.               Ericsson's most recent Mobility Report   when built alongside fibre networks,"
                                             revealed that there are 130 million   Burns said. "This report sets out key
        However, UKWISPA's report suggests   FWA connections worldwide, and that   areas and policy directions that can
        that the government has to date      128 telcos have launched services, up   maximise this opportunity for the UK."




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