Broadcom and Samsung Combine 5G and Wi-Fi 8 for FWA Gateways

Broadcom and Samsung Electronics have introduced a reference platform for fixed wireless access (FWA) gateways that combines a Wi-Fi 8 System-on-Chip with a 5G modem. The platform targets operators and OEMs building scalable broadband products that receive internet access via 5G and distribute it locally via Wi-Fi.

Integrated platform for fixed wireless access

Broadcom Inc. has announced a collaboration with Samsung Electronics on a broadband-optimized reference platform for the global fixed wireless access market. The platform integrates Broadcom’s BCM6776 Wi-Fi 8 System-on-Chip with Samsung’s B1320 5G modem.

Fixed wireless access, or FWA, refers to broadband internet access delivered wirelessly over a mobile network instead of through a wired connection such as fiber, cable or DSL. In a typical FWA setup, a gateway receives the broadband connection via 4G or 5G and distributes it inside the home, office or site via Wi-Fi, Ethernet or LAN.

The objective of the new platform is to provide a blueprint for next-generation FWA gateways that combine 3GPP Release 17 5G connectivity with the emerging Wi-Fi 8 standard, IEEE 802.11bn. The platform is designed for mass-market scalability, with a focus on consistent throughput, reliability and cost competitiveness.

For mobile network operators, FWA is an alternative or complement to wired broadband, especially where fiber rollout is limited, slow or expensive. For OEMs and ODMs, the integration of 5G modem technology and Wi-Fi 8 into a reference platform can reduce development effort and shorten the path to carrier-ready gateway products.

5G and Wi-Fi 8 in one gateway architecture

The platform combines Samsung’s B1320 5G modem with Broadcom’s BCM6776 Wi-Fi 8 SoC. This is relevant because an FWA gateway must handle both sides of the broadband connection: the 5G wide-area link to the operator network and the Wi-Fi distribution network inside the home or enterprise environment.

The Samsung B1320 supports 3GPP Release 17 and is designed as a broadband-optimized 5G platform. It is capable of 5G downlink speeds of 3.43 Gbps and uplink speeds of 1.17 Gbps. The chipset is based on a power-efficient 5 nm design and includes a quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 CPU.

The Broadcom BCM6776 provides tri-band Wi-Fi 8 functionality. It supports 2-stream 40 MHz channels in the 2.4 GHz band and 4-stream 160 MHz channels in the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands. By combining Wi-Fi 8 radio functions and a network processor in one chip, the SoC is intended to simplify access point design.

Technical features of the 5G modem

Samsung’s B1320 includes 4Rx/2Tx radio chain support, Power Class 1.5 support for TDD bands, and memory support for LPDDR4x and LPDDR5x. Interfaces include 5 Gbps USXGMII, PCIe Gen 3 and USB 2.0.

The platform also includes a Power Class 1.5 RF transceiver, power management and a GNSS receiver. It supports NR-NTN and NB-NTN for satellite communications in n255 and n256 L- and S-bands.

For system developers, these features matter because FWA gateways need to operate across different deployment environments, network configurations and coverage conditions. Support for terrestrial 5G, positioning and non-terrestrial network capabilities may become relevant as operators expand connectivity strategies beyond conventional cellular infrastructure.

Wi-Fi 8 SoC for local distribution

Broadcom’s BCM6776 is described as a single-chip Wi-Fi SoC and multi-band radio for high-volume retail and mass-market access points. It integrates a quad-core CPU complex, a dedicated network processing engine and Wi-Fi 8 MAC, PHY and radio functionality.

The integrated radio configuration includes 2x2 operation in the 2.4 GHz band and 4x4 operation in the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands. The SoC also includes on-chip 2.4 GHz power amplifiers and support for third-generation digital pre-distortion, which can reduce external component requirements and improve RF efficiency.

Broadcom states that the platform can reduce bill of materials costs, simplify board design and reduce active power consumption by 50 percent compared with previous generations. These factors are relevant for OEMs and ODMs developing gateways for volume deployments, where power consumption, component count and production cost directly influence product economics.

Relevance for operators, OEMs and integrators

For operators, the platform addresses a key requirement in FWA deployments: delivering stable broadband performance from the cellular network into the home or business environment. The combination of 5G and Wi-Fi 8 is intended to support consistent end-user throughput from the wide-area link to local wireless distribution.

For OEMs and ODMs, the reference design provides a development basis for carrier-grade gateways. It combines modem, Wi-Fi, processing, RF, power management and interface components into an integrated platform. This can reduce the number of design decisions needed before productization.

For system integrators and solution providers, the platform is relevant in broadband projects where FWA is used as a primary connection, backup connection or rapid-deployment connectivity option. The architecture may also support use cases beyond residential broadband, including small business connectivity and temporary network installations, depending on operator and device implementation.

For more information, visit https://www.broadcom.com/company/news/product-releases/64351