PC1 Technology Raises the Bar for 5G Fixed Wireless Access
Samsung Electronics and Qualcomm Technologies have validated 5G Power Class 1 (PC1) capability for 5G fixed wireless access, marking a notable leap in FWA uplink performance. PC1 is a 3GPP-defined power class that allows devices to transmit at higher power than the PC1.5 standard, directly boosting uplink throughput, especially at the cell edge. In lab trials using Samsung’s 3.7 GHz Massive MIMO radios and Qualcomm’s X85 Modem-RF chipset on the Dragonwing FWA Gen 4 platform, PC1 achieved up to 10 times higher uplink throughput compared with PC1.5 at challenging signal boundaries. For home broadband users, this enhancement translates into more headroom for data-heavy tasks, particularly when devices are far from the nearest base station or operating in cluttered indoor environments where signals typically weaken. The result is a more consistent and resilient 5G fixed wireless access experience.
Virtualized RAN as the Engine Behind FWA Uplink Gains
A key aspect of the validation is Samsung’s use of a fully software-driven virtualized RAN (vRAN) architecture. In this setup, baseband functions run on general-purpose hardware rather than proprietary appliances, allowing operators to scale and optimize 5G fixed wireless access more flexibly. The PC1 technology test was conducted entirely within Samsung’s R&D lab using this vRAN framework, coupled with 3.7 GHz Massive MIMO radios and Qualcomm’s X85-equipped test device. By virtualizing the RAN, operators can push software updates and new capabilities—such as PC1 enhancements—without extensive hardware upgrades. This not only accelerates innovation cycles but also helps reduce infrastructure costs over time, making it more feasible to extend high-performance FWA coverage into underserved or low-density areas where traditional wired deployments might not be economically viable.
Real-World Benefits: Sharper Video Calls and Smoother Remote Work
The most tangible impact of improved FWA uplink performance shows up in everyday applications like video conferencing and real-time collaboration tools. With PC1 technology delivering up to 10x higher uplink throughput at the cell edge, users in weak-signal locations—such as remote houses or shielded corners of apartment buildings—can expect clearer video streams, fewer frozen frames and more responsive audio. For remote workers relying on 5G fixed wireless access as their primary home broadband connection, this uplift helps stabilize uploads during simultaneous activities, such as screen sharing, cloud backups and large file transfers. It also enhances emerging use cases like interactive online learning and telehealth, where uplink quality often dictates the overall experience. In practice, PC1 can narrow the performance gap between fiber connections and wireless home broadband speeds, particularly for upload-intensive workloads.
Expanding Coverage to Edge Cases and Underserved Areas
Higher transmission power from PC1 technology not only boosts speeds but also extends the effective reach of 5G fixed wireless access. By improving signal robustness at the cell edge, PC1 helps operators serve homes and small businesses that previously sat on the margins of coverage maps. When paired with virtualized RAN, this creates a more cost-efficient path to expanding broadband availability in areas where laying new cables is slow or impractical. Samsung emphasizes that this combination of PC1 and vRAN supports both congested urban environments and low-signal rural zones, ensuring that edge-case locations receive more reliable connectivity. As networks increasingly support AI-driven and data-heavy services, these enhancements position FWA as a credible alternative to wired broadband, capable of delivering consistent home broadband speeds to communities that have historically struggled with limited or inconsistent internet options.
Ecosystem Momentum Toward Smarter, Uplink-Centric Networks
Statements from both companies highlight a broader strategic shift toward uplink-centric performance and software-driven networks. Samsung notes that as AI and industrial applications proliferate, high-performance infrastructure becomes critical to handling seamless data transmission and increasingly demanding user experiences. Qualcomm underscores that PC1’s higher transmission power expands both performance and reach for FWA devices, demonstrating how ecosystem collaboration can unlock smarter, more capable networks. Together, the validation of PC1 on virtualized RAN shows that future 5G fixed wireless access deployments will not only focus on downlink speed but also prioritize robust, predictable uplink. This alignment is essential for next-generation use cases—from industrial telemetry to immersive communication—where upload quality is as important as download. It signals that FWA is evolving into a full-fledged broadband alternative, rather than a stopgap for basic connectivity.