CBNG Unveils Next-Gen 5G mmWave Fixed Wireless Access

CBNG Unveils Next-Gen 5G mmWave Fixed Wireless Access is profiled by BTW Media because public-source evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• The VectaStar NR platform uses licensed mmWave 5G spectrum and a point-to-multipoint architecture to connect multiple sites from a single hub, targeting operators and campuses where fibre is difficult or costly to deploy.

• While marketed for faster, lower-impact broadband deployment, questions remain about real-world performance, spectrum availability and how it will compete with existing fibre rollouts.

What happened: New 5G mmWave platform targets faster, lower-cost fixed wireless broadband deployments.

Cambridge Broadband Networks Group (CBNG) has launched VectaStar NR, a new generation fixed wireless access (FWA) platform built on 5G New Radio (NR) and licensed millimetre-wave (mmWave) spectrum. The system uses a point-to-multipoint (PtMP) architecture, meaning a single hub can serve multiple homes, businesses, campuses and public-sector sites, rather than requiring point-to-point links for each endpoint.

According to announcements, the new platform offers increased capacity per sector, support for additional mmWave bands, and multi-gigabit performance over longer ranges than previous CBNG offerings. Redesigned hardware with a more compact form factor and advanced beam-forming phased-array antennas are intended to simplify integration and scaling within existing networks.

CBNG is positioning the platform towards mobile and fixed operators, wireless ISPs, neutral-host providers, municipalities and campuses, particularly where traditional fibre deployment is slow, expensive or disruptive. The company says that demand for broadband capacity is being driven by cloud services, video streaming, AI workloads and remote working.

Also Read: MAXnet partners with CBNL to boost network in Sudan

Also Read: Nokia and EOLO launch Europe’s first 5G mmWave network

Why it’s important

Fixed wireless access using 5G mmWave continues to draw attention as an alternative to full fibre deployments in areas where civil engineering costs and timescales are prohibitive. The PtMP approach can reduce deployment times from months to days, in theory lowering total cost of ownership compared with point-to-point wireless alternatives.

However, questions remain about real-world service quality and spectrum availability. Performance claims often depend on access to suitable mmWave bands and clear line-of-sight conditions; mmWave signals can be more susceptible to attenuation compared with lower-frequency bands. Licensed spectrum is also limited and varies by country, which may constrain operators’ ability to achieve consistent multi-gigabit speeds across diverse environments.

Moreover, while fixed wireless may offer lower up-front costs than fibre, long-term operational costs, maintenance and integration with backhaul infrastructure still need careful assessment by operators. The rollout of fibre broadband in many regions continues apace, raising competitive questions about where and how fixed 5G mmWave will complement or compete with existing high-capacity networks.