- ZTE unveils AI-powered fixed wireless access (FWA) and mobile broadband (MBB) products at MWC25.
- Indonesia’s surge partners with Orex Sai to deploy open RAN-based 5G FWA for digital inclusion.
What happened: AI-powered fixed wireless solutions launched
ZTE has introduced a new range of AI-powered fixed wireless access (FWA) and mobile broadband (MBB) solutions, leveraging Qualcomm’s Dragonwing FWA Gen 3 platform. Unveiled at MWC25, these innovations strengthen ZTE’s presence in the global 5G FWA market.
The G5 Ultra delivers peak speeds of 19 Gbps, optimised for home internet, cloud gaming, and 4K streaming. The G5 Max Wi-Fi, supporting sub-6GHz and mmWave carrier aggregation, offers speeds up to 10 Gbps, while the U60 Pro, a 5G mobile Wi-Fi device, reaches 3.6 Gbps.
ZTE claims the largest market share in FWA and MBB equipment, with a 38% shipment growth over four years. The company reports over 250 million devices shipped, working with 130 operators in 100 countries, though specific market share data was not provided.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, surge and Orex Sai, a joint venture of NTT DoCoMo and NEC, are deploying Open RAN-based 5G FWA solutions. As part of Indonesia’s Affordable Internet Program, the initiative seeks to improve broadband penetration in underserved areas. The rollout begins in H2 2025, with full-scale commercial deployment by 2026, aiming to install 20,000 sites by 2030 to support digital inclusion and 5G network expansion.
Also Read: Indosat and ZTE collaborate to boost Indonesia’s 5G infrastructure
Also Read: EOLO expands 5G FWA network with Mavenir
Why it’s important
Fixed wireless access (FWA) has emerged as a critical component of the 5G ecosystem, offering an alternative to traditional fixed broadband in regions where fibre deployment is impractical. The introduction of AI-powered solutionsin FWA aims to enhance efficiency, performance, and user experience while minimising operational costs.
ZTE’s announcement highlights the growing competition in the FWA market, where vendors are increasingly integrating AI and advanced wireless technologies to differentiate their offerings. The move aligns with broader industry trends towards AI-driven network automation and cloud-native infrastructure, reflecting the shift in how telecom networks are managed and optimised.
The partnership between surge and Orex Sai in Indonesia underlines the importance of 5G FWA for digital inclusion. By deploying open RAN-based solutions, the initiative seeks to lower infrastructure costs while expanding broadband access to underserved communities. This model could serve as a template for similar initiatives in other emerging markets.
