With mobile data traffic reaching almost 330 exabytes per month by 2028, enterprises must provide robust, always-on, connected experiences to more people and places while ensuring scalability, performance, and security.
The adoption of 5G networks is accelerating thanks to the technology’s improved speeds, greater bandwidth, and reduced latency. It’s particularly critical for supporting internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications where real-time data transfer is essential.
Meanwhile, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technologies have become more popular because they provide high-speed internet to fixed locations where fiber is unavailable or use cases where fast setup is critical. The technology uses radio signals from a nearby tower to establish a connection instead of traditional cable or telephone lines.
Many of today’s networks are built on non-standalone (NSA) technology because it helps lower costs and facilitate the transition from 4G to 5G by using existing 4G infrastructure to support 5G networks.
However, NSA FWA has shortcomings and doesn’t allow enterprises to maximize the benefits of 5G technologies. As such, more organizations are implementing 5G standalone (SA) FWA. Let’s explore the benefits of 5G SA FWA and how it can help you take connectivity, performance, and security to the next level.
5G NSA FWA vs. 5G SA FWA: What’s the Difference?
5G NSA FWA is an interim solution for deploying 5G networks using existing 4G LTE infrastructure for its core operations (e.g., managing network control and operations). While it delivers faster speeds through 5G radio technology, it lacks the advanced capabilities of a 5G-native architecture like ultra-low latency and network slicing.
On the other hand, 5G SA FWA is a full 5G deployment using a dedicated 5G core to support complete 5G capabilities. The 5G native architecture offers better performance, improved support for IoT devices, lower latency, enhanced security, and future-proof features for long-term scalability.
When to Choose 5G SA FWA
The technology’s low latency and high throughput are essential for meeting high-performance requirements in applications like gaming, telemedicine, virtual reality (VR), and autonomous driving. It’s also ideal for large-scale IoT deployments, such as smart cities, manufacturing plants, or energy grids, where numerous devices require consistent and reliable connectivity.
5G SA's robust capabilities are ideal for business-critical applications. For example, enterprises may implement tailored network solutions for mission-critical operations or high-value services. Meanwhile, it supports advanced encryption, secure authentication, and isolated network slices for security-sensitive use cases in finance, healthcare, government, etc.
The Benefits of 5G SA FWA
5G SA FWA’s ultra-low latency provides superior responsiveness for real-time use cases like telemedicine, remote surgery, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation. It’s also ideal for cloud gaming, VR, and augmented reality (AR) applications to deliver a seamless, delay-free user experience.
The technology’s multi-gigabit speeds enable faster data transfer, and the wider bandwidth can handle more users and devices. Full network slicing allows operators to create virtualized networks with different characteristics for various use cases while optimizing performance based on unique requirements.
You can use the standalone technology to implement more robust encryption protocols and better authentication mechanisms than 5G NSA. Moreover, network slicing allows critical applications to operate in isolated, secure environments to reduce the risk of unauthorized access or interference.
5G SA FWA does not require extensive physical infrastructure for implementation. It simplifies deployment, reduces costs associated with fiber installation, and enables enterprises to scale branch deployment quickly. It also allows simultaneous connection of millions of devices, offering superior support for IoT deployments.
Moreover, the technology is highly scalable and supports flexible deployment in different environments. It’s the future standard for 5G networks, allowing enterprises to adopt new features and capabilities to support emerging technologies and ensure long-term viability.
The Challenges of Deploying and Managing 5G SA FWA
Deploying a 5G SA FWA network requires a significant upfront investment in new infrastructure, including 5G-native core networks, radio access equipment, and edge computing resources. Additionally, acquiring high-end 5G SA-compatible equipment may increase the overall cost.
Setting up a complex 5G SA network requires meticulous planning to balance coverage, capacity, and performance. For example, urban environments with many obstacles may require more base stations to provide adequate and seamless coverage. Moreover, high-performance backhaul is essential for connecting the FWA sites to the core network.
Most enterprises must navigate complex integration with legacy systems and existing 4G/5G NSA networks to ensure seamless handovers and interoperability. Also, implementing cutting-edge features like network slicing, edge computing, and ultra-reliable low-latency communications requires resource-intensive precise engineering and network configuration.
While network slicing creates tailored environments for specific applications or industries, managing multiple slices is complex. Each slice requires dedicated resources and customization to achieve the desired levels of security, latency, and throughput. Moreover, you must dynamically allocate network resources across slices to minimize bottlenecks.
Organizations must also consider security challenges caused by the proliferation of connected devices and the distributed nature of a 5G SA FWA network. Advanced features like network slicing often make security management more complex, while a large, dynamic network will require sophisticated monitoring tools and automated response mechanisms to comply with security policies and regulatory requirements.
Beyond 5G SA FWA: Cloud-Managed FWA Devices
Cloud-managed 5G SA FWA devices simplify deployment with plug-and-play installations. They allow administrators to manage numerous devices remotely from a centralized platform to streamline operations and oversight across multiple locations.
These devices provide real-time visibility into network performance, bandwidth usage, and device status. Remote diagnostics enable administrators to address problems without physically accessing the devices, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency. Meanwhile, automated updates through the cloud reduce IT workloads.
Cloud-managed FWA devices typically require less hardware infrastructure than traditional networks, helping you save on upfront investments in physical infrastructure. Additionally, most cloud-managed FWA devices support multiple carrier networks. You may boost resiliency by switching providers to maintain connectivity if a carrier experiences network issues.
Moreover, you may implement centralized security policies across the entire network. These cloud-managed platforms are often integrated with advanced threat detection systems to provide real-time insights and responses to network threats. You may also automate the deployment of security patches to all locations to maintain your security posture.
Simplify 5G SA FWA Deployment with Cisco MG52 and MG52E
Cisco’s cloud-managed 5G FWA devices allow enterprises to scale robust 5G connectivity anywhere with cloud-managed eSIM, instant-on data, 5G SA capabilities, and more.
The Cisco MG52 and MG52E simplify your 5G journey and accelerate time-to-market with robust cloud management capabilities. You can immediately connect a site or conduct a large branch deployment with minimum downtime while achieving connectivity diversity and redundancy for added reliability and resiliency.
The technology is ideal for multisite, branch-based verticals like retail, food services, hospitality, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, supply chain, transportation, logistics, and more. It helps you quickly expand your charters and offer services to new customers in new markets.
Moreover, you may leverage Cisco Talos-powered cybersecurity capabilities, including firewall policies, content filtering, intrusion detection and prevention (IDS and IPS), advanced malware protection (AMP), and more, to ensure a secure connected experience.
Compugen + Cisco Managed Services (CMS): Advanced Connectivity Tailored To Your Growth
Compugen's partnership with Cisco gives you access to best-in-class technology to enhance your IT infrastructure. Our comprehensive solutions handle the complexities of IT management while ensuring your IT infrastructure is secure, efficient, and scalable to meet your organization’s specific requirements.
Our end-to-end service helps you design and implement robust 5G SA FWA networks with the latest Cisco equipment and technologies to streamline management, improve cost-efficiency, ensure scalability, and drive innovation. As your technology ally, we tailor your IT strategy and solutions to support your business vision and long-term success.
Learn more about our Cisco Managed Services and get in touch to see how we can help.
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