Key Takeaway
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is recognized as the primary strategy for monetizing 5G investments, according to a Deloitte report. Operators are leveraging mid-band spectrum to provide competitive broadband services to homes and businesses, with global FWA adoption projected to grow by 20% annually by 2025. Additionally, network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are creating new revenue streams for enterprise clients. The GSMA Open Gateway initiative aims to standardize these APIs, enabling developers to enhance applications with features like quality of service and identity verification. With significant operator participation, APIs are seen as crucial for B2B growth in the evolving 5G landscape.
Monetising 5G with FWA and network APIs
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) has become the most straightforward approach to monetising 5G investments.
A report from Deloitte describes FWA as “the only current path for 5G monetisation.”
Operators are leveraging mid-band spectrum to provide competitive broadband services for both residential and business customers.
Industry analysis predicts that global FWA adoption will rise by 20% year-on-year by 2025.
For enterprise clients, network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and open gateways are generating new revenue streams. The GSMA Open Gateway initiative aims to standardise network APIs among various operators.
This standardisation enables software developers to incorporate network functions such as enhanced quality of service, location data, or SIM-based identity verification into their applications.
With 73 operator groups covering about 80% of global mobile connections now committed to the initiative, telecommunications companies are positioning APIs as a key driver for B2B growth.
Kearney’s 2025 5G Success Index has labelled this era the “Impact Era,” where mature 5G networks can unlock their commercial potential through API-based services.
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