Research data recently released by the GSA (Global Mobile Suppliers Association) shows that in 2022, the shipment volume of 5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) CPEs more than doubled compared to 2021, reaching 7.4 million units, with a year-on-year growth of 111%. Among them, FWA devices accounted for 29%, higher than 16% in 2021. It is expected that the total shipment volume of FWA devices in 2023 will increase by 26% to reach 32 million units.
The data shows that in 2022, the total shipment volume of FWA CPEs of 27 enterprises surveyed was 25.5 million units, an increase of 12% compared to 2021. More than half of the respondents said that the shipment volume increased in 2022, but some enterprises also experienced a decline. It is expected that the shipment volume of FWA CPEs will increase in 2023. Among them, indoor CPEs will account for the largest share, reaching 21.6 million units. From a regional perspective, the growth rate of shipments in the Chinese market reached 17%, an increase of 6 percentage points year-on-year; the European market decreased by 6 percentage points.
Telecom operators are the main shipping channels for CPEs, accounting for 70% of the total shipment volume in 2022. It is expected to increase to 77% in 2023.
The proportion of 5G in FWA CPEs is increasing. In 2023, CPEs supporting 5G are expected to increase by 86% to reach 13.8 million units, accounting for 43% of equipment shipments. CPEs with 5G millimeter waves achieved an increase of 183% in 2022, reaching 452,000 units, but they still only account for a small part of 5G CPEs. It is expected that this market will grow and reach 773,000 units in 2023.
From the perspective of equipment classification, the total shipment volume of battery-powered hotspot devices increased by 12% in 2022 to 25.5 million units; FWA indoor and outdoor CPEs increased by 9% in 2022 to 18.8 million units. Due to the strong growth of indoor and outdoor CPEs, it is expected that the shipment volume of this market segment will increase by 31% in 2023 to nearly 24.6 million units; it is expected that the shipment volume of FWA indoor CPEs will reach 21.6 million units, with an annual growth rate of 34%.
Most surveyed enterprises expect that there will be no shortage of parts in 2023 and 2024, but inflationary pressures still exist. When asked when the price of 5G CPEs is expected to be on par with that of 4G, most surveyed enterprises believe that this goal will be achieved in 2025.
There will be a growing trend of flexible indoor and outdoor CPEs and self-installation applications. When asked about module and chipset strategies, 41% of surveyed enterprises said that the proportion of in-house developed modules has increased from 46% in 2022 to 59%. In terms of chipsets, 78% of respondents in 2022 said that they purchase chipsets from more than one supplier. It is expected that this proportion will increase to 85% in 2023 to reduce the risk of shortages of parts purchased from a single supplier. Two-thirds of surveyed enterprises have already launched or expect to launch e-SIM cards within this year. The support rate for i-SIM is relatively low. 62% of surveyed enterprises have no plans to launch it in recent years.
The GSA defines FWA as an AC-powered indoor or outdoor CPE placed in a fixed position for continuous broadband connection 24 hours a day. Devices specifically designed for roaming or sporadic use of broadband connections, such as routers like Mi-Fi or hotspots, industrial-grade and large enterprise-grade CPEs and routers are not included.