5G Fixed Wireless Access Network for Urban Residential Market: A Case of Indonesia

The quick advancement of technology has increased commercial rivalry in telecommunications, compelling broad-band network operators to be more effective in assembling Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operational Expenditures (OPEX) requirements to avoid the scissor effect. The arrival of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) eliminates costly network connections. FWA enables network operators to offer ultra-high-speed internet support in residential areas where fiber is expensive to construct and maintain. The objective of this research is to determine the required number of gNodeB for capacity and coverage planning by using two different 5G frequencies, 3.5 GHz mid-band and 28 GHz mmWave, along with CAPEX and OPEX calculations in deploying 5G FWA at one of the urban residential areas in Indonesia, Citra Raya Cikupa. This research analyzes the area’s classification, forecasts the number of households from 2021 to 2026, and traffics usage to achieve an optimum number of gNodeB. This research then calculates the CAPEX and OPEX. The results show that Citra Raya Cikupa’s generated a traffic demand of 12.73 Gbps/km2 with an area of 27.6 km2. Furthermore, using the 3.5 GHz mid-band frequency, Citra Raya Cikupa demands 67 gNodeB with a CAPEX of USD 7,221,595 and an OPEX of USD 3,169,368. While using the 28 GHz mmWave frequency, Citra Raya Cikupa needs 107 gNodeB with a CAPEX of USD 2,309,488 and an OPEX of USD 1,183,848.