Fixed wireless access, selling mobile broadband
The market for equipment running on the 3.5 GHz Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum is growing, but at a slower pace than previously reported. As a result, telco market research firm Del’Oro Group has revised its forecast for CBRS radio access network (RAN) hardware sales. The company recently released their results In a new report.
Dell’Oro previously predicted that sales of CBRS RAN equipment would increase from 2 percent to 5 percent by 2026. The company now believes that it will be less 6
Dell’Oro thinks LTE will drive the most short-term CBRS RAN investment, with 5G New Radio (NR) -based capital spending emerging as the driver by 2026. The report states that Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and Mobile Broadband (MBB) driving equipment are on sale. Enterprise shares of CBRS RAN Hardware are expected to grow by 2026.
“CBRS adoption continues to move in the right direction, but adoption is tracking significantly below expectations, shifting trends between primarily fixed wireless access (FWA) and non-FWA, including public and private LTE / 5G NRs,” said Del’Oro.
Stefan Pangratz, vice president and analyst at Del’Oro Group, noted that the downward correction is a calibration to reflect current market conditions and what he described as the gap between the registered spectrum access system (SAS) access point (AP) and LTE and 5G. . NR base station
“This integration does not change the long-term outlook – we believe that there are opportunities to improve spectrum use and at the same time stimulate innovation for networks in both industry, both public and private,” Pangratz said.
CBRS deployment in the real world
CBRS installations are fitting and starting, although much of recent activity in space has been assigned to trials and tests. For example, Dish and FreedomFi are piloting a CBRS hotspot network. FreedomFi launched its cryptocurrency-incentive 5G, CBRS-compatible gateway shipping last October.
Another example is the installation of Geovers at the Carib Royal Resort in Orlando, Florida. Geovers is providing indoor coverage at the resort’s convention center and will work to augment and complement existing Wi-Fi footprints. Ultimately, the two networks will act as a hybrid wireless network.
Outside the test frying pan and in the real-world fire, Boingo Wireless has worked with the San Diego Padres baseball team to establish a CBRS-based personal network. Petco Park staff use CBRS-connected iPads to scan tickets or process discount transactions. It adds bandwidth to the public network in the area that hosts the activities of different communities.
