Swiss mobile operator Swisscom has announced the launch of its Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) 5G service for business customers.
In a press release, the company said that the solution works for remote buildings not covered by the standard network expansion and temporary business locations without a fixed network connection.
Its solution, "Enterprise Connect" is able to connect customers without a fiber or copper connection, with customers able to integrate one or more business locations into their office networking via 5G FWA.
“5G FWA offers great potential for our business customers. They can use it to benefit from the fastest Internet at their sites and be ready to make full use of all services," said Friederike Hoffmann, Head of Connected Business Solutions at Swisscom.
Swisscom says that its 5G FWA can also be used as a 5G mobile backup, as its Internet connection which is provided via a fiber optic or copper connection, 5G FWA can act as a failover, enabling additional security with its mobile network connection.
In order to work, 5G FWA requires either 5G or 4G mobile coverage, with Swisscom claiming its 5G coverage is available to 99 percent of the country, while its 5G+ version is available to more than 70 percent of the European nation.
To set up its 5G FWA network, a small receiver is required, with Swisscom using Nokia's 5G Mobile Toolkit, which is mounted on the side of the building. This toolkit is able to connect with the mobile communications mast, which in turn provides wireless access to the Swisscom network.
Swisscom was one of the pioneers of 5G, first launching its commercial service back in April 2019 with Swedish vendor Ericsson. The company's first 5G rollout saw the service switched on in 102 locations in the first 54 towns, including Basel, Bern, Chur, Davos, Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich.