A blog about the technology and a case study for Manufacturing Distribution Centers

As industries continue to adopt digital transformation strategies, the role of reliable, high-speed internet connectivity has never been more crucial. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) has emerged as a transformative solution, offering an alternative to traditional wired broadband connections.

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)

Simplistically said, FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) is a broadband internet service that wirelessly delivers high-speed connectivity. The service typically connects to a fixed antenna mounted on the premises, which communicates with a nearby base station or cell tower. Unlike mobile broadband, which offers internet to mobile devices, FWA provides a stable and high-capacity connection for businesses in fixed locations although it does not cater to mobility needs of the user.

FWA is based on wireless technologies, including 4G LTE and 5G. FWA has emerged as a dependable, high-performance, cost-effective alternative to physical (fiber or cable) networks. FWA is proving to be a game changer to provide broadband connectivity in terrain or build regulation challenged areas.

Discussing a practical use case for FWA in the manufacturing distribution centers.

Key Benefits of FWA for Manufacturing Distribution Centers

1. Faster Deployment and Flexibility

In manufacturing environments, time is often a critical factor. Traditional broadband installations may take months due to permission delays, trenching, cabling, and network setup. In contrast, FWA can be deployed in a much quicker fashion. The only requirement is installing a fixed antenna at a suitable location on the facility, connecting wirelessly to the network, making FWA an attractive and least disruptive solution.

2. Improved Network Reliability and Redundancy

In manufacturing and distribution centers, uninterrupted connectivity is vital to avoid supply chain bottlenecks, production delays, and inventory mismanagement. FWA offers a reliable internet connection with low latency, ensuring that applications like real-time inventory tracking, automated warehousing, and communication can run reliably.

Additionally, FWA can be deployed as a backup to wired connections, ensuring redundancy in case of failure.

3. Support for IoT and Smart Manufacturing

IoT (Internet of Things) and Industry 4.0 are reshaping manufacturing environments. Devices, sensors, and machines are increasingly interconnected, transmitting large volumes of crucial data in real-time. FWA provides the high-speed, low-latency internet connection required to support such devices and services.

4. Efficient and Cost-Effective Solution

The cost of traditional physical network can be prohibitive, especially in remote locations and difficult to reach areas. It requires digging up the ground for fiber installation. In urban settings it is costly as well as time-consuming to get permission to dig trenches for the fiber. FWA significantly lowers the cost of installation and maintenance in addition to speed of deployment. Once deployed adding capacity can be simpler than physical network. This results in FWA proving to a favorable solution for manufacturing distribution centers that need fast deployment, flexibility and ability to scale as the operations grow, automation increases, or technology evolves further.

Conclusion

Fixed Wireless Access, in addition to being a solution for remote areas or homes, is rapidly becoming an essential technology in the manufacturing sector, particularly in distribution centers where efficient communication and data exchange are critical. Rapid deployment, cost-effectiveness, reliability, and scalability make FWA an ideal choice for businesses. As manufacturing and logistics evolve, FWA will likely play a pivotal role offering an affordable and scalable solution.

For last few years at GTA we have been successfully implementing FWA networks for manufacturing and distribution facilities for our clients throughout USA and Canada supporting diverse use cases and facility sizes. An experience that we can replicate with other clients and different industries.