Qualcomm launches 2nd generation 5G fixed wireless access platform, achieving up to 25% coverage improvement

Qualcomm Technologies announced the launch of the 2nd generation Qualcomm 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) platform. Using the 4th generation Qualcomm Snapdragon ™ X65 5G modem and RF system, the platform opens up a new business opportunity for mobile operators to deliver fixed Internet broadband services to homes and businesses through their 5G network infrastructure. The new 5G fixed wireless access platform also uses the second-generation Qualcomm QTM547 extended range millimeter wave antenna module, which supports extended range high-power Sub-6GHz 5G connectivity, the world's first 5G Sub-6GHz 8-channel reception, and supports Qualcomm dynamic antenna tuning technology.

The platform also includes the 2nd generation Qualcomm 5G fixed wireless Access Platform reference design, which will support manufacturers to quickly and economically launch commercial 5G fixed wireless access terminals, allowing consumers to experience faster and more reliable network connections at 5G peak speeds of up to 10Gbps. The complete platform is designed to extend the reach and performance of fixed wireless access, helping operators make this new "last mile" broadband deployment option more widely available in urban, suburban and rural environments through their 5G infrastructure.

Qualcomm Technologies also introduced a new Snapdragon X12+ LTE modem for fixed wireless access terminals that rely entirely on 4G networks. The Snapdragon X12+ modem enables terminal manufacturers and operators to upgrade fixed wireless access terminals with LTE solutions to achieve speeds of up to 600Mbps.

The importance of the 2nd Generation Qualcomm 5G Fixed Wireless Access Platform: With its extended range 5G millimeter wave, extended range high-power Sub-6GHz 5G, and Sub-6GHz 8-channel reception, the new platform will help increase network capacity, expand coverage, and deliver a superior user experience. With advanced features such as millimeter wave-sub-6 GHZ aggregation and upstream and downstream carrier aggregation at the largest bandwidth to date, the 2nd generation Qualcomm Fixed Wireless Access Platform will further enhance the flexibility of operators to deploy, leveraging their infrastructure and spectrum resources to easily extend fixed wireless services to new regions. It also helps reduce the cost of dedicated fixed network laying, as well as the need to obtain permits or send technicians to each consumer's home for installation. This will drive smoother, faster 5G commercialisation and enable 5G connectivity with gigabit speeds and low latency to a wider customer base in its coverage area.

In addition, end vendors will be able to accelerate CPE release times, improve CPE performance and reduce development effort. All of this will help end vendors expand their diverse fixed wireless access product portfolio to meet the requirements of every major region of the world.

Gautam Sheoran, senior director of product management at Qualcomm Technologies, said: "The launch of the new platform will further help us address the 'connectivity divide' by helping operators deliver fiber-optic Internet connectivity to rural, suburban and dense urban environments in a more cost-effective way. "The Qualcomm 5G Fixed Wireless Access Platform 2 is a cost-effective, scalable and complete solution that enables carriers and end vendors to deliver 5G connectivity at gigabit speeds and low latency to homes, small businesses, schools, hospitals and governments."

Key technologies and solutions include:

Snapdragon X65 Modem and RF System: Snapdragon X65, the 4th generation 5G modem and RF system, provides enhanced 5G millimeter wave and Sub-6GHz connectivity.

Qualcomm QTM547 MMWave antenna module: Qualcomm QTM547 extended range MMwave antenna module is paired with Snapdragon X65 5G modem and RF system to provide a complete platform from modem to antenna for 5G MMwave CPE products. It can meet the power level requirements (power level 1 and power level 5) stipulated by different regulatory bodies, and the scan Angle coverage is improved by 30% compared to the previous product. With Qualcomm Dynamic antenna tuning technology, the solution supports dynamic rotation of the antenna module to receive the strongest signal and achieve better performance.

Support for extended range Sub-6GHz 5G: The 2nd generation Qualcomm 5G fixed wireless access platform supports extended range high-power Sub-6GHz 5G connectivity, helping network operators achieve up to 25% coverage improvements and up to 10% network capacity improvements.

Sub-6GHz 8-channel reception: The 2nd generation Qualcomm 5G Fixed Wireless Access Platform is the world's first Sub-6GHz 8-channel reception solution for 5G fixed wireless access CPE. With this feature, the new platform can help network operators achieve a 35 percent increase in network coverage and a 20 percent increase in network capacity. The new platform can also help operators improve the user experience - facing the challenge of poor signal at the edge of the cell, helping to lock down the base station signal, improve signal strength and purity, and improve download speed.

Fixed wireless access reference design: The 2nd generation Qualcomm 5G fixed wireless access platform reference design is equipped with Snapdragon X65 5G modem and RF system, and uses Qualcomm QTM547 millimeter wave antenna module, supporting Sub-6GHz 8-channel reception. With this new reference design, the ability of terminal manufacturers to develop fixed wireless access products for customers will be greatly enhanced.

The 2nd generation Qualcomm 5G fixed wireless Access platform, as a new choice, further expands the wireless ecosystem and will help consumers enter the 10Gbps 5G era and experience a faster and more reliable home network connection. The plug-and-play installation process allows consumers to quickly complete the installation without a technician. In addition, the ease of installation will eventually create more high-speed Internet options for consumers. Commercial terminals using the platform are expected to be available in the first half of 2022.