Opinion: Why AI Is the catalyst for the next era of FWA networks
To dig into how Artificial Intelligence is transforming Fixed Wireless Access ("FWA"), I reached out to Paul Wright, Chief Revenue Officer at CBNG, and asked him to share his insights. I’m delighted to feature his post here.
Over to you Paul!
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just another application putting pressure on networks, it is rapidly becoming the intelligence that will change how those networks are designed, deployed and operated. For providers, the challenge is no longer simply keeping pace with surging bandwidth demand; the real opportunity lies in leveraging AI to create networks that are smarter, faster and inherently more resilient.
At the centre of this transformation is Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). By enabling high-speed connectivity without the extensive rollout times of fibre, FWA has emerged as one of the fastest-growing solutions in the connectivity landscape. According to Ericsson, nearly 80% of communications service providers now offer FWA services globally – a reflection of both scalability and ability to deliver high capacity where it is needed most.
Looking ahead, AI will likely help FWA networks move from static, reactive architectures to dynamic, self-optimising ecosystems. By embedding AI into the network fabric itself, operators can move beyond incremental efficiency gains to achieve transformative resilience, agility, and stability. The networks of tomorrow will not just respond – they will anticipate, adapt and optimise in real time.
FWA networks of the future will leverage AI to operate far beyond the limits of today’s architectures, unlocking new levels of agility, efficiency and reliability.
The use of AI for network planning
Traditional network planning has relied on static models and historical data, which often struggle to account for the realities of modern connectivity. AI is changing that paradigm. By applying advanced algorithms and real-time data analysis, operators can now model complex network topologies with far greater accuracy and speed.
For example, AI can optimise spectrum allocation, predict capacity requirements and identify the most strategic locations for new sites – allowing networks to scale efficiently as demand fluctuates. This is particularly crucial for FWA, where deployment speed and flexibility are key differentiators. Instead of relying on pre-defined designs, AI-driven planning enables operators to simulate thousands of scenarios in minutes, highlighting potential bottlenecks and opportunities that would be invisible through conventional methods.
The result is not just greater efficiency. Networks utilising AI are more agile, capable of adapting to shifting patterns, evolving consumer behaviour and new service requirements without overwhelming manual intervention. For operators, this translates to reduced expenditure, faster time-to-market and a network that is inherently better equipped.
How AI can help reduce risks
Through AI-assisted testing and simulation, networks can be stress-tested under a wide range of conditions, from extreme traffic spikes to interference patterns. This allows operators to identify vulnerabilities and optimise configurations proactively, rather than reacting to potential outages or congestions after they occur.
AI can run thousands of virtual scenarios in the time it would take a traditional engineering team to run a handful, highlighting weak points and recommending solutions in real time.
Beyond testing, AI can act as a safeguard in live networks. By continuously monitoring performance metrics, AI systems can detect anomalies – such as unexpected dropouts or latency spikes – and alert engineers or autonomously correct the issue itself. This idea of ‘predict and prevent’ reduces downtimes and minimises potential disruptions.
The result is a network that is not only faster and more efficient, but fundamentally more reliable. For operators, this means improved customer satisfaction, lower operational costs and confidence that their networks can scale safely to meet demand.
"Operation-less networks" with AI
Imagine a network that almost manages itself - where faults are detected and corrected in microseconds, long before they impact users. With AI, FWA networks are moving toward what some industry leaders call “operation-less” management, where much of the monitoring, troubleshooting and optimisation occurs autonomously.
To bring this vision to life, imagine a network engineer starting their day with a quick check-in:
Engineer: “Hi NMS, how is the network behaving today?”
Network Management System: “Everything is great. A couple of minor issues that occurred overnight have already been fixed (full details are in your inbox). I’ve taken the liberty of adjusting the channel bandwidth on the sectors around the stadium to cope with extra demand at the game tonight. The changes will go live at 4 p.m., when traffic is expected to surge. I’ll keep you updated if anything needs your attention.”
This kind of real-time, conversational interaction illustrates just how far AI can take network autonomy. Instead of reacting to problems, engineers can focus on strategic initiatives while the network continuously monitors, optimises and evolves in the background.
AI-driven self-healing capabilities allow networks to respond instantly to disruptions. It can act automatically, drastically reducing the need for human intervention. For operators, this means the ability to redeploy engineering resources toward bigger picture ideas such as innovation and strategic projects, rather than firefighting routine issues.
The benefits extend beyond efficiency. Autonomous operations enhance reliability, accelerate service delivery and create a platform capable of handling the demands of the future. AI doesn’t just improve operations; it transforms the network into a proactive, self-optimising entity that anticipates challenges and adapts in real time.
Future of AI in FWA networks
AI has the potential to transform FWA networks from advanced connectivity solutions into intelligent ecosystems. By integrating AI at almost every layer – from planning and deployment to monitoring and optimisation – operators can create networks that are adaptive, self-efficient and capable of supporting the most demanding scenarios.
Operators must embrace AI as a strategic enabler, embedding intelligence into their networks rather than treating it as an add-on. Those who do will gain a decisive advantage.
AI will not just support the networks of tomorrow – it will define them.
Thank you very much Paul!
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn and read more about CBNG at www.cbng.co.uk.
