Network infrastructure to support 5G roll-outs is a significant opportunity for cable companies, Dave Morley, director of 5G & Regulatory for Shaw Communications’ Freedom Mobile, said during a recent panel presentation.

Morley delved into the Canadian company’s approach to small cell deployments in both a 4G and 5G context. Fixed wireless access, Morley wrote in a technical paper on which his presentation was based, is a double-edged sword for the cable industry.

“FWA is an alternative to wired broadband services and represents a potential threat to traditional wireline providers including MSOs,” Morley wrote. “At the same time, FWA also provides MSOs with the opportunity to deliver broadband services in “brown-field” areas that are not currently served by the operator such as new residential markets and industrial/business parks. FWA can also be used to provide critical small cell backhaul in areas without existing wireline infrastructure.” He went on to add that “with access rights to millions of public Wi-Fi hotspots, often in prime ‘beach front’ properties, the cable industry is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this opportunity, either as a wireless player or a wholesale provider to existing MNOs.”