Key Takeaways
1. Qualcomm’s Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is becoming a viable alternative to fiber-optic broadband, especially in underserved areas.
2. The Dragonwing platform can handle mmWave signals from up to 14 kilometers away, offering downlink speeds of up to 12.5Gb/s.
3. It features an AI processor that enables 40 trillion operations per second, improving performance by 30% compared to previous generations.
4. Routers using this platform support Dual-SIM Dual Active technology and are capable of “world-first” 5G Advanced connections.
5. The Dragonwing FWA Gen 4 Elite will support tri-band Wi-Fi 7 and up-to-10Gb Ethernet ports, with availability expected soon.
Qualcomm is saying that Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is becoming a more practical option compared to fiber-optic broadband, especially for people who live where those networks aren’t available. To support this, they have introduced the fourth-generation Dragonwing platform, which has been elevated to Elite status at MWC 2025.
Specifications and Performance
This platform can handle mmWave signals from as far as 14 kilometers (about 9 miles) away, offering downlink speeds of up to 12.5Gb/s. This impressive performance is made possible by the new QTM567 antenna and the Snapdragon X85 platform designed for 5G connections.
Advanced Features
Moreover, the FWA Gen 4 Elite takes advantage of the X85’s AI processor, providing up to 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This results in inference speeds that are approximately 30% quicker than the last generation, along with AI-Powered On-Device Smart Network Selection.
In addition, routers powered by the Dragonwing FWA Gen 4 Elite can potentially utilize two SIM cards simultaneously, enhancing their signal through Dual-SIM Dual Active (DSDA) technology. They also support “world-first” 5G Advanced connections.
Future Availability
These routers may also fully accommodate connected devices with tri-band Wi-Fi 7, as well as devices that have up-to-10Gb Ethernet ports. Qualcomm is already in the process of shipping the Dragonwing FWA Gen 4 Elite Platform to clients, suggesting that routers and customer premises equipment (CPEs) powered by this next-gen solution could be available quite soon.