The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) has issued a cautionary forecast indicating that customers of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon may begin experiencing network congestion as early as 2026.
As reported by Light Reading, the trade group, representing the U.S. wireless communications industry, attributes this potential strain to the increasing demand on 5G networks, particularly due to the expansion of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services.
FWA technology utilizes existing mobile networks to provide broadband connectivity to homes and offices. While this has contributed to significant growth in broadband services, it also places additional load on networks originally designed primarily for mobile users. According to CTIA, this dual usage could lead to capacity issues, especially in high-traffic areas during peak hours.
The association projects that by 2027, networks may be unable to meet approximately 25% of peak demand in densely populated regions. Looking further ahead, CTIA warns that by 2035, carriers might only be able to satisfy 27% of peak demand without the allocation of additional spectrum resources.
CTIA's report underscores the necessity for regulatory bodies to release more spectrum to accommodate the growing data consumption. However, some analysts view the association's warnings with skepticism. Given CTIA's role in lobbying for spectrum allocation, critics argue that the urgency may be overstated to influence policy decisions.
Despite differing opinions on the immediacy of the issue, the consensus remains that proactive measures are essential to ensure the sustainability and performance of 5G networks as demand continues to escalate.
Source: Light Reading
