Over 13 Million Homes and Counting: Maximizing the Promise of 5G Home Internet Service with Smart Policies 

By Patrick Halley, President and CEO, WIA

Over the past few years, a quiet revolution has taken place in the U.S. home broadband market—not on the ground, but in the air. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) delivered over 5G networks has emerged as a fast-growing alternative to traditional fixed broadband.  

Verizon recently announced it now serves over 5 million customers on its 5G FWA platform, while T-Mobile leads the pack with more than 7 million 5G FWA home internet customers. And, AT&T’s FWA subscriber base has passed the one million mark for the first time since the service was launched just two years ago. Together, these three providers have brought millions of new broadband connections to U.S. households—many of which were previously underserved or entirely unserved by traditional broadband providers. 

Unlocking New Competition for Broadband Services, Especially Where It’s Needed Most 

One of the most compelling aspects of 5G FWA is its ability to deliver fast, reliable broadband without the need for physical fiber or cable infrastructure all the way to the home. This makes it an ideal solution in areas where laying last-mile fiber is cost-prohibitive, or where the only existing option is copper-based DSL. 

For too long, many consumers in rural, suburban, and even some urban areas, have had little or no choice when it came to internet service. With the rise of 5G FWA, that dynamic is changing. The entry of mobile operators into the home broadband market is driving new competition, expanding service coverage, and helping bring down prices for consumers. 

As the Wall Street Journal recently reported (“A Fight Between Cable and Wireless Providers Means Cheaper Home Internet for You”), this increased rivalry is resulting in more aggressive pricing, better service offerings, and new promotions as wireless and cable operators compete for market share. For consumers, this fight is a win, delivering more value and greater flexibility than ever before. 

The Spectrum Pathway to Continued Growth 

Mid-band spectrum is essential for delivering the speeds and capacity consumers demand for the continued growth of FWA. That’s where the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) plays a crucial role. 

A central provision of the OBBBA mandates the auction of 800 MHz of new spectrum for commercial use, including at least 100 MHz of prime Upper C Band spectrum in less than two years. This spectrum pipeline is critical—it provides the necessary runway to support expanding FWA services and ensures that the networks of tomorrow have the resources to deliver even higher performance to more households. 

With this influx of new spectrum, mobile operators will be able to densify and enhance the reach of their networks, increasing capacity and efficiency. This, in turn, will allow FWA to scale to millions more homes, delivering faster speeds and supporting more devices per household. It’s not just about meeting today’s needs—this is about building the foundation for a broadband future where wireless is a first-class option for millions more Americans. 

A Call for Smart National Permitting Rules 

Realizing this future isn’t just about spectrum. It also depends on efficient and predictable permitting processes for wireless infrastructure deployment. Critical wireless infrastructure will be needed to take full advantage of new mid-spectrum when it comes to market. As mobile operators upgrade existing cell sites and build out new infrastructure, delays in local permitting can become a serious bottleneck. 

That’s why it’s crucial for policymakers to ensure clear, streamlined permitting rules are in place. A strong federal framework can prevent inconsistent local regulations and ensure that wireless infrastructure can be deployed in a timely and cost-effective manner, a win for local communities and the providers that serve them. Without this, the rollout of next-generation broadband services—including FWA—could be slowed, putting underserved communities at risk of being left behind once again. 

The Future of Home Broadband Is in the Air 

The surge in 5G FWA adoption over the last two years marks a turning point in how Americans connect to the internet at home. No longer tethered to the limitations and deployment schedules of traditional wireline and cable operators, millions of households now have a viable wireless alternative that delivers fast speeds, simple pricing, and reliable service. But continued progress will require smart build policies—particularly ensuring access to spectrum, streamlining infrastructure deployment, and making sure that federal broadband programs (like the $42.5 billion BEAD program) ensure there is a place for FWA.  

With the right policies in place, the promise of 5G FWA is clear: broader access, more competition, and a more connected future for American communities.