Chinese firm Fibocom has integrated Qualcomm’s IPQ5018 processor and SDX62 chipset into its FM160-EAU 5G CPE module ready for mass production, boosting the deployment of FWA at scale.

Fixed wireless access (FWA) is a frontrunner in the application of 5G technology, which is a scalable complement to fixed broadband. The 5G customer premise equipment (CPE), which converts 5G signals into wifi or LANs, plays an increasingly important role with the global growing FWA market.

Embedded with Fibocom’s FM160-EAU, the IPQ5018 plus SDX62 5G CPE is capable of bringing seamless indoor connectivity for homes and businesses.

It supports 2.4 and 5GHz dual-band Wifi 6, 160MHz bandwidth, and 4K QAM, delivering high throughput, low latency and secure connectivity.

With two built-in 1GHz Arm Cortex-A53 cores, it provides the versatility to drive more devices, the network accelerator of which can free up CPU usage for higher and more efficient throughput. In terms of scalability, it can be extended to more industrial devices through a PCIe interface, connecting more than 100 end devices.

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 chipset, the module supports NR carrier aggregation (CA), optimising the 5G user experience with extended coverage, boosted throughput and increased capacity. Compliant with 3GPP Release 16, the CPE can be used in retail stores, mobile working, smart homes, mobile livestreaming and so on, providing users with stable and reliable wireless connectivity on the go.

“Fibocom is proud to introduce the superior 5G CPE integrating IPQ5018 and SDX62, leveraging the Fibocom 5G module FM160-EAU,” said Simon Tao, general manager at Fibocom. “We believe that the 5G CPE will bring unprecedented network experience, helping users enjoy 5G networks in complex network environments.”

• Fibocom participated in the GSA 4G/5G FWA Forum Plenary. At the forum, James Xu, director of Fibocom, joined the roundtable discussion, sharing insights about FWA market trends and technology advancement from the perspective of a module vendor.

Fibocom is optimistic about the market potential of 5G FWA, and has developed a series of 5G modules for the global FWA industry. However, the number of operators delivering FWA services varies widely by region, and there are still obstacles needed to overcome, such as limited bandwidth and signal coverage.

The latest Fibocom 5G modules support 4×4 MIMO in the low-frequency band, which enables faster 5G download speed and wider coverage. The products also support PC1.5 HPUE, improving the cell edge performance with wider cellular coverage and higher upload speed. Furthermore, the RF design of the modules can better support combinations of EN-DC, which meets the deployment needs of users in more complex network environments.