The future of 5G is expanding beyond simply faster internet. A new collaboration is poised to transform fixed wireless access (FWA) infrastructure into intelligent platforms capable of not just connecting devices, but understanding their environment with unprecedented precision.
For years, deploying 5G in factories, warehouses, and sprawling campuses has presented a challenge: connectivity alone isn’t enough. Truly valuable operational improvements demand knowing *where* things are, *who* is present, and what’s happening in real-time – capabilities that traditionally require a complex web of separate sensors and systems.
Telit Cinterion and Airfide Networks are tackling this complexity head-on. They’re integrating Airfide’s cutting-edge ultra-wideband (UWB) and 60 GHz radar technology directly into the Telit Cinterion FN990B40 5G data card, streamlining the process for manufacturers and service providers.
The FN990B40 is designed as a compact, next-generation 5G solution for FWA and enterprise applications. Beyond standard 5G and LTE connectivity, it includes integrated GNSS, providing a robust foundation for location-based services.
Imagine a 5G gateway that doesn’t just deliver bandwidth, but actively maps its surroundings. This partnership aims to create precisely that – a single piece of infrastructure capable of connecting, locating, and sensing, fundamentally changing how 5G networks are utilized.
The UWB technology, adhering to the FiRa standard, offers pinpoint indoor positioning, surpassing the limitations of Bluetooth in dense environments. This allows for precise geofencing and asset tracking to be built directly into 5G infrastructure, simplifying deployment and reducing costs.
Airfide isn’t just providing the radio technology; they’re offering a complete solution. This includes essential reference hardware, software, and cloud control, recognizing that successful localization requires calibration, onboarding, and ongoing management.
Complementing UWB is Airfide’s 60 GHz radar, utilizing unlicensed spectrum to achieve “sub-centimeter sensing precision.” This opens doors to a range of privacy-focused applications, including occupancy detection, people and object tracking, and even remote health monitoring like heart rate and fall detection.
Crucially, this radar-based sensing is camera-free and anonymous, addressing growing concerns about privacy in sensitive environments like healthcare facilities and public spaces. It offers a powerful alternative to visual surveillance.
Early interest is already emerging, with operators in Japan evaluating this architecture for 5G repeater deployments, envisioning a future where sensing and analytics are seamlessly integrated into coverage infrastructure.
The industry is shifting its focus from simply providing access to monetizing the services built *on top* of that access. This partnership represents a move towards offering managed services at the network edge, providing added value beyond basic connectivity.
For manufacturers, the key will be the level of integration. If UWB and radar can be seamlessly incorporated into a single gateway design with a unified software stack, it promises to simplify product development, reduce component counts, and streamline long-term maintenance.
“We’ve embedded our UWB and mmWave radar technologies into platforms powered by Telit Cinterion’s FN990B40,” explains Venkat Kalkunte of Airfide Networks. “This enables OEMs and operators to deploy intelligent, high-precision IoT services directly within their 5G infrastructure.”
Neset Yalcinkaya, president of IoT hardware at Telit Cinterion, adds, “This partnership demonstrates how sub-6 5G data card platforms can serve as the foundation for localization, sensing and new monetization opportunities worldwide.”
