Jio’s rapid FWA RGU growth shows a potential for FWA to boost broadband in low- and middle-income markets

Reliance Jio (Jio)’s financial results show that 5G fixed-wireless access (FWA) technology has the potential to stimulate growth in the number of broadband connections in low- and middle-income markets: as of 2Q 2025, it claimed to have become the second-largest provider of 5G FWA connections in the world. 

While 5G FWA can act as a useful ‘stepping stone’ technology preceding FTTH footprint expansion in markets such as the USA and the Middle East, it may present a longer-term connectivity solution in regions such as emerging Asia–Pacific (EMAP) and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

This article explores Jio’s success, lessons learned and the limiting factors affecting the replicability of its approach to 5G FWA for operators in other countries where the technology could potentially disrupt the residential broadband market.