Hong Kong’s fixed wireless access (FWA) market is entering a high-growth phase, with GlobalData projecting a 9.6 percent compound annual growth rate between 2025 and 2030. The growth in FWA market in Hong Kong reflects how telecom operators are realigning broadband strategies around 5G to deliver high-speed connectivity in locations where fiber deployment remains costly, slow or technically challenging.
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Hong Kong had around 3.01 million broadband subscriptions as of June 2025 in a market dominated by fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and fibre-to-the-building, according to Office of the Communications Authority of Hong Kong. Despite high fibre coverage, the Office of the Communications Authority notes that FWA is gaining traction as operators target districts where in-building rewiring, older infrastructure and civil work constraints delay fibre extensions.
SmarTone has emerged as a leading promoter of 5G Home Broadband and reports double-digit growth in its FWA revenue. The operator highlights the rising contribution of 5G home broadband to its overall profitability and consistently ranks high in user preference surveys. While FWA subscriber numbers are undisclosed, SmarTone’s marketing focus positions FWA as a mainstream home-internet option.
China Mobile Hong Kong is making investments, including a 2025 acquisition of a stake in HKBN. This move signals deeper consolidation between mobile operators and fixed broadband providers and strengthens CMHK’s role in shaping wholesale and retail FWA dynamics, Reuters news report said.
HKT, through its CSL and Netvigator brands, offers a range of 5G Home Internet plans designed for users seeking fibre-like speeds without wiring. The operator is expanding 5G coverage and leveraging high-band spectrum for millimeter-wave FWA deployments in rural villages and outlying islands. This strategy helps HKT monetize premium spectrum while avoiding heavy fibre spending in low-density or hard-to-wire areas.
3 Hong Kong is using its convergence strategy to promote 5G home broadband as a simple, installation-free alternative to fibre. By positioning FWA as part of a broader mobile-to-home bundle, the operator is tapping into customer segments that prioritize convenience and faster service activation.
HKBN is enhancing its competitiveness by offering 5G Home Broadband over wholesale 5G access. Its plan, priced at HKD 118 or 15.2 dollars per month on a twenty-four-month contract, includes unlimited 5G data under a fair-use cap, a seven-day trial option and bundled security tools. This model allows HKBN to reduce acquisition costs and expand its footprint without heavy network investment.
According to GlobalData analyst Neha Misra, FWA is becoming a practical solution in districts where vertical housing density and complex building layouts make last-mile fibre deployment expensive. By converting existing 5G network assets into fixed broadband capacity, operators are accelerating returns on capital and improving spectrum utilization.
The investment climate is further strengthened by Hong Kong’s Smart City Blueprint 2.0. As digital public services, healthcare platforms and enterprise digitization expand, operators see FWA as a fast-to-deploy connectivity tool for small businesses, older buildings and commercial properties. The ability to activate broadband without extensive civil work aligns well with emerging digital applications that demand reliable, low-latency connectivity.
This shift mirrors global telecom strategies where operators emphasize capital discipline, asset reuse and faster monetization cycles. In Hong Kong, FWA enables operators to scale broadband using existing 5G infrastructure rather than committing to lengthy fibre buildouts with slower payback periods.
For consumers and SMEs, the growing FWA focus simplifies broadband choice. Operators are increasingly presenting performance metrics like speed and latency in user-friendly terms, reducing technical complexity and enabling quicker decisions for households seeking installation-free connectivity.
While fibre will remain essential for heavy-capacity and enterprise requirements, 5G-based FWA is set to become the preferred option for rapid deployment, flexible installs and cost-effective expansion. The technologies will coexist, with FWA adding a new revenue layer for operators aiming to extend coverage while managing capital intensity.
Hong Kong’s FWA growth marks a shift toward a hybrid broadband model where 5G provides reach and fibre provides depth. As pricing strategies evolve, bundles expand and network performance improves, FWA is expected to drive broadband inclusivity, strengthen ARPU potential and support the city’s long-term digital transformation.
Fasna Shabeer
