LTE remains core to 5G rollout and the rise of fixed wireless home broadband

Most 5G networks are deployed in Non‑Standalone (NSA) mode, meaning they rely on existing LTE infrastructure for initial access, authentication, mobility management and control signaling. LTE therefore continues to handle coverage, IoT connections (LTE‑M, NB‑IoT), private‑LTE deployments in enterprises, and voice calls via VoLTE, while Standalone 5G is still limited.

At the same time, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) – broadband delivered over 5G cellular links to stationary premises – has become a rapidly growing home‑internet service. In the United States, more than 14 million customers use FWA, and in India Jio serves over 9 million. By repurposing under‑used 5G spectrum, especially millimeter‑wave bands, FWA offers lower‑cost, high‑speed internet that reaches rural and suburban areas where fiber or cable are uneconomic, providing real competition to traditional cable broadband.