Novocomms Develops 'Next Generation' Solution For 5G mmWave Fixed Wireless Access

Novocomms, the UK-based antenna specialist, has successfully developed a state-of-the-art 5G mmWave FWA solution that will enable optical fibre data rates to be delivered to currently poorly served customers in rural, maritime and underserved areas. Funded by the UK government’s Small Business Research Initiative, the next-generation CPE device provides improved performance to existing products on the market, while benefiting from a significant reduction in unit cost.

The new solution utilises a multi-beam, multi-polarisation, dynamically MetarrayTM patented technology, that complements current reconfigurable technology to achieve precise modulation of electromagnetic waves. This enables a much more flexible beam configuration to be achieved, with a wide coverage area of 120 degrees in azimuth / 100 degrees in elevation.

Commenting on this project, Dr. Sampson Hu said: “The global market for mmWave CPE devices is expected to reach £12.5B by 2028, so this is certainly a high-value segment that is growing rapidly right now. This new product that we have developed with the backing of the SBRI represents a real step forward in performance for the sector, but crucially at a significantly lower cost of production.

“Harnessing our knowledge of advanced antenna design, component optimisation and the use of materials such as silicon differentiates our solution in a market that is so far characterised by expensive, power-hungry or technically limited alternatives.”

Delivering superior capabilities across all key metrics, in tests, the Novocomms FR2 CPE achieved:

• A frequency range of 24 GHz to 71 GHz (with multiple antenna solutions)
• Support for dual linear polarisation
• Beam scanning of ±60° in azimuth and ±50° in elevation
• Up to 60% lower power consumption compared with existing industry solutions
• Up to 30% lower cost compared with existing industry solutions

The new solution is now entering its pilot deployment and early validation stage, prior to commercial launch and production scale-up, which is expected in early 2026.