As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into business operations, the network infrastructure that supports data movement and computing power must also evolve rapidly. AI workloads demand ultra-fast, reliable and low-latency connections to access distributed computing resources—whether in the cloud, at the edge, or on-premise.
Fixed networks are a crucial component of digital infrastructure, and are constantly evolving to address the needs of the AI era. This shift is evident in the development of the new F5G Advanced (F5G-A) standard, released by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) Industry Specification Group (ISG) F5G in its Release 3 version in 2024.
Unlike earlier phases of fixed network growth, which lacked a clearly defined generational structure, F5G-A marks the beginning of a more coordinated approach, similar to how wireless standards have evolved from 3G to 5G and now 5.5G.
“Everybody is familiar with the concept of 3G, 4G and 5G in mobile networks, and now, we are doing something similar in fixed networks”, said Martin Creaner, Director General of the World Broadband Association (WBBA). ETSI released the F5G Standard a while back, which points out highlights the development direction of fixed network, and has recently announced F5G-A, which is like a 5.5G version of 5G”.
Through collaboration with ETSI, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and other standards organizations, WBBA is contributing to the overall development and promotion of fixed network standards. To this end, it has developed a generational roadmap for fixed networks, closely aligned to the F5G & F5G-A standards of ETSI. It works with regional partners to guide them in selecting developmental paths as per their unique needs. WBBA is also working towards informing the industry through white papers, research and regional events to accelerate the deployment of F5G-A networks.
Why F5G-A Matters in the AI Era
In the past, the progress of fixed networks has been fragmented, with different countries and regions advancing at different speeds using different technologies. Now, the development of F5G-A offers a reference point, helping align efforts and investments more efficiently.
“In the past, while fixed networks would of course be constantly evolving, it was based on a wide range of capabilities (cable, fiber, copper, etc.),” says Creaner, “and was never really wrapped up under a single generational banner. Now the industry is putting a stake in the ground, saying that these technologies are indicative of this generation, meaning faster speeds, lower latency and better quality for everyone”.
F5G-A is focused on ensuring 10 Gbps speeds, extremely low latency and ultra-reliable connections, all of which are required to support AI applications. The F5G-A standard espouses the concept of "10Gigabit Everywhere," i.e. 10Gigabit to all businesses and homes.
“F5G-A promises to provide over 10 times higher bandwidth, 10 times denser fibre connections, and 10 times better reliability. It will yield 10x better energy efficiency, <1 ms latency and allow 1m location accuracy.”
It leverages a group of core technologies, including 50GPON, Wi-Fi 7, and 400G/800G optical transport, as the key enablers of next-gen connectivity. These technologies work together to create networks that are faster, more stable, and more adaptable to future demands. F5G-A proposes deploying via fiber in high-bandwidth urban and suburban areas, while using FWA as a fallback approach in areas that are more difficult to reach.
Service providers such as Hong Kong Telecom, are realizing the importance of this standard in meeting the evolving demands of businesses and consumers. The adoption of F5G-A will help service providers build a robust foundation of network infrastructure capable of enabling new-age use cases, like AI applications, 8K video streaming, online gaming and cloud computing, among others.
“AI places heavy a demand on the bandwidth that businesses and consumers will need, but it also impacts the how we operate our networks and even how we plan and deploy our networks”, say Creaner. “For example, the WBBA has just released a paper on the role AI is playing in the pre-deployment phases of broadband, highlighting how it helps make the decision between deploying via fiber or fixed wireless access or satellites.”
In Closing
As the world moves deeper into the AI age, network infrastructure must evolve concurrently. F5G-A provides a much-needed generational framework for fixed networks, delivering the ultra-fast, reliable, and scalable connectivity that AI demands. With standards bodies, industry associations, and global telecoms aligned, F5G-A is poised to become the foundation on which the next wave of digital innovation is built.