The full name of CPE is Customer Premise Equipment, which the industry likes to call "customer terminal equipment".Also known as 5G FWA, fixed wireless access.The so-called "front" means that it always stands in front of the user's equipment.Its function is to convert mobile communication signals (4G, 5G, etc.) Or wired broadband signals into local area network signals.For use by user equipment.
5G CPE belongs to 5G terminal equipment.It receives 5G signals from the operator's base station and then converts them into Wi-Fi signals or wired signals.Let more local devices (mobile phones, tablets, computers) access the Internet.
Optical cat used in optical fiber broadband
In fact, in essence, "light cat" belongs to a kind of CPE.The difference between "optical cat" and 5G CPE is that "optical cat" is connected to the operator's optical access network equipment.5G CPE is connected to 5G base station.
So the question is, now that we have "light cat", what is the use of 5G CPE? Will 5G CPE replace "optical cat"?
Let's start with the conclusion: of course not.
Current 5G CPE products use the same or similar 5G chips as 5G mobile phones, and have strong 5G connectivity.Support SA/NSA networking, compatible with 4G/5G signals. In terms of speed, 5G CPE is comparable to "optical cat".
It can be said that 5G CPE is an enhanced version of "light cat".
Unlike the conventional "optical cat" which can only be fixed in one place, 5G CPE can be "mobile".5G CPE can be used wherever there is a 5G signal.
For example, when our family goes to a suburban villa for vacation, we can use 5G CPE to set up a Wi-Fi 6 high-speed hotspot.So that family members can surf the Internet and share the video of the play.
For example, when companies go out to hold events or participate in exhibitions, they can use 5G CPE to facilitate employees and customers to access the Internet.
Even if you want to set up a stall, you can also bring CPE, which is equivalent to bringing an optical fiber broadband with you.
The traditional "optical fiber broadband" is relatively easy to open, and it can be opened when you go to the business hall to handle the package.But it's a lot more trouble to cancel. Now broadband services, basically have an agreement period, the agreement period is not over, it can not be shut down at will.
In case you need to move, the optical fiber broadband has to be transferred, which is also very troublesome.
5G CPE is different, as long as you have a 5G mobile phone card (now the Internet traffic card is very cheap), you can access the Internet at high speed.
For the rental scenario of young people, as well as the office scenario of small and micro enterprises, the use of 5G CPE is very suitable.The equipment can be taken and used at any time, which completely avoids the trouble caused by broadband installation and disassembly.
5G CPE is also suitable for remote areas or areas with complex terrain (such as rural areas, fields, etc.).If these areas want to lay optical fiber, it is difficult and costly, and it is not cost-effective.
In fact, CPE has been used in many foreign countries for a long time because of its vast territory and sparse population.They use outdoor CPE to receive base station signals and then convert them into local signals to access the Internet.
Fixed wireless broadband access (fixed wireless access, FWA) is even more powerful if it is millimeter-wave CPE
In addition, 5G CPE has larger volume, stronger antenna gain, higher power, and stronger signal transmission and reception capability than mobile phones.Therefore, it is often used in various outfield 5G scenario tests.
In short, 5G CPE combines the low cost of Wi-Fi and the large bandwidth of 5G, combining the advantages of both.Form a powerful complement to the traditional optical fiber broadband.
In addition to Internet access, 5G CPE will also act as a home intelligent gateway in the future.
For a long time, the home router market has been the focus of competition among many manufacturers.Not because the router makes money, but because it is the entrance and exit of the whole family's network traffic, and also the basic platform of home digital applications.5G CPE, which plays the same role as routers, will be the "smart gateway" of 5G families in the future.It is also the fulcrum of the whole family's intelligent life.
Through 5G CPE, users can control a variety of smart devices at home, while realizing the interconnection of all things.It has significantly improved the life experience of family members.
In addition to the home-based to C scenario, 5G CPE also has a very broad application prospect in the enterprise-oriented to B market.
Take the smart factory as an example. In the future, the equipment and materials of the factory will be networked.5G CPE can be used as a unified flow entrance and exit for all equipment in a certain area (workshop).Provide low-cost, high-speed network connectivity to these devices.
With the increase of application scenarios, 5G CPE will support more communication protocols besides 5G (such as Bluetooth, UWB, etc.).Really become the management and control center of all devices.
In addition to the network connection function, 5G CPE will be combined with edge computing to become a sinking edge computing node.Provide computing power support for related equipment.
5G CPE is of great significance to both home users and enterprise users.
With the full development of 5G network construction, more and more places begin to cover 5G signals.The demand for 5G CPE will continue to increase, and the application scenarios around 5G CPE will become more and more.
