ZTE has emerged as the leading 5G FWA CPE vendor, surpassing Nokia and Huawei in a new Competitive Ranking by ABI Research, a global technology intelligence firm.
This assessment analyzed ten vendors’ 5G FWA CPE portfolios, categorizing them into Market Leaders (ZTE, Nokia, Huawei), Mainstream (Inseego, Zyxel, Ericsson, Tozed Kangwei, Vantiva), and Followers (Arcadyan, Cisco).
The report highlights the rapid growth of the 5G FWA market, transitioning from a backup broadband technology in previous cellular generations to a viable alternative for both consumer and enterprise verticals due to advancements in 5G networks and CPE technology.
FWA market
Meanwhile, fixed wireless access equipment spend will exceed $48 billion over the next five years. Spending on 4G and 5G-enabled residential CPE is expected to peak at $5.3 billion in 2025, and remain above $4 billion annually, according to Dell’Oro Group.
ABI Research said ZTE’s top position reflects strong performance across innovation and implementation criteria, particularly with its flagship CPE, the G5 Ultra, which leverages AI to enhance bandwidth efficiency and reduce network congestion.
ABI Research assessed vendors on ten criteria, including commercial success, technological leadership, portfolio diversity, partnerships, and security features. ZTE’s innovative approaches and effective implementation secured its lead, while Nokia and Huawei closely followed.
The report also underscores the growing importance of network management capabilities, as seen in enterprise-focused vendors like Inseego and Ericsson, which will play a crucial role in enabling service providers to deliver high-end services and expand their customer base without network overload.
ZTE in FWA market
In October, ZTE showcased its FWA & MBB products at Network X 2024, highlighting AI-powered 5G solutions that redefine connectivity standards.
ZTE G5 Ultra, the world’s first AI-powered 5G Indoor FWA, delivers 20 percent increase in bandwidth efficiency and a 30 percent reduction in network congestion, supported by a 13 dBi ultra-high-gain antenna and AI-driven optimization technologies. With Wi-Fi 7 capability, it achieves peak data rates of up to 19 Gbps, ideal for high-bandwidth activities.
ZTE also presented the 5G-A outdoor FWA, ZTE G5F, providing ultra-high-speed connectivity with peak rates of 10 Gbps and advanced carrier aggregation for urban and rural users. The entry-level ZTE G5TS, featuring dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and versatile connectivity options, ensures fast and reliable networks for diverse applications.
ZTE has over 1,000 technical patents and leadership in 5G FWA commercialization. ZTE has shipped over 5 million units globally, maintaining its No. 1 position in the market for three consecutive years. ZTE has collaborated with 130 operators worldwide.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
