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T-Mobile US is on a mission to prove that fixed wireless access (FWA) is a successful replacement for traditional broadband service, and it doesn’t seem like it helps get that message across. chose an ally: rival carrier Verizon.
US mobile operators have been attacking carrier competitors for years, establishing themselves as non-carrier rivals to AT&T and Verizon. So it came as a bit of a surprise when Verizon released its 2022 State of Fixed Wireless Report this week to discover that it’s no longer the enemy. The pair are clearly on the same side when it comes to FWA.
Now the enemy is the big broadband, especially the cable industry. It’s not a big bomb per se. T-Mobile continued its assault on America’s fixed-line ISPs earlier this year when it launched its new 5G-based FWA consumer broadband service. Without chopping words, the telco urged customers to ditch their broadband providers for mobile alternatives, blaming poor service and high fees.
It’s starting to look like some consumers are listening.
In the third quarter of this year, T-Mobile won its 2 millionth FWA Internet customer, doubling its base in six months. In fact, the telco claims it’s the fastest-growing his ISP in the US over the last four quarters.
In a statement accompanying the FWA report, T-Mobile said, “It’s clear that FWA is making inroads into the Big Internet, with over 70% growth across all providers since the first quarter of this year.
“In fact, the growth of the broadband industry last year was almost entirely due to fixed wireless, and that change is expected to continue,” he added. “T-Mobile and Verizon are expected to have a total of 11 million to 13 million of his FWA customers by the end of 2025.”
And then there are the “off the record” moments. I certainly don’t see them as friends.
To be clear, there’s no suggestion that the pair are working together to push the FWA agenda. They just happen to be pushing in the same direction.
Verizon reported about 1.1 million total FWA connections at the end of the third quarter. This includes 621,000 on the consumer side, most of which were added during 2022. Given that its base is about half that of T-Mobile, the suggestion that the latter is using rivals’ size to boost his FWA number forecasts for overall telcos by the end of 2025. There is none. In fact, T-Mobile will have 7-8 million FWA subscribers by that date, while Verizon’s expects 4-5 million.
There’s more to this T-Mobile announcement than a “you’ve changed” hint…but fear not.
Mike Katz, T-Mobile US’s chief marketing officer, said shortly after the company made another lyrical statement: “Fixed wireless is disrupting the historically collapsed broadband industry, giving consumers what they need most. It’s no secret that we offer choice and competition when About “decades of dissatisfaction” with his traditional ISPs and lack of choice and competition in the market.
“In just one year of fixed wireless entering the broadband scene, many customers have abandoned their traditional ISPs and have seen impressive growth,” added Katz. “This report further highlights the enormous demand for new options and his ability of 5G to meet that need.”
T-Mobile’s data suggests cable operators are losing money. The operator says he has acquired 51% of his FWA customers from cable rivals, with the rest migrating from satellite or DSL services or having no previous provider. It’s very understandable that there’s no mention of fiber there, which probably isn’t surprising at all.
Likewise, it’s no surprise to learn that many customers find it cheaper to switch to FWA. According to the report, 58% cite it as a reason. 41% cite no annual commitments, and 32% are just using newly available services.
This data from T-Mobile (link to the full report is here) is an interesting read, but it’s hard to get a complete picture of how the US FWA market is performing for the established broadband sector. will take a year or two. It’s still the first day.
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