Carrier Fixed Wireless Speeds Decline: What Wireless Dealers Need to Know (And How to Profit)

BECOME A MASTER AGENT

Carrier fixed wireless speeds decline dealers is the new reality facing AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon customers—and it's creating a massive opportunity for wireless dealers who understand the implications. According to Ookla's latest U.S. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) report, download and upload speeds for all three major carriers declined in Q2 and Q3 2025, signaling network congestion challenges as carriers juggle mobile and home internet traffic on the same infrastructure.

For wireless dealers, this isn't just industry news—it's a sales opportunity. Customers are experiencing slower speeds, and they're looking for answers. Dealers who can educate customers, position alternative solutions, and leverage carrier investments in spectrum and infrastructure will capture market share while competitors remain silent.

This article breaks down the speed decline data, explains why it's happening, and provides actionable strategies for wireless dealers to turn FWA challenges into revenue opportunities.

The Data: Carrier Fixed Wireless Speeds Decline Across the Board

Ookla's December 2025 report reveals that carrier fixed wireless speeds decline dealers must address with customers:

Download Speed Declines (Q2 2025 vs. Q2 2024):

• T-Mobile: 217.16 Mbps → 199.63 Mbps (-8.1%)

• Verizon: 116.94 Mbps → 104.03 Mbps (-11.0%)

• AT&T: 99.59 Mbps → 91.16 Mbps (-8.5%)

Upload Speed Declines (Q2 2025 vs. Q2 2024):

• T-Mobile: 28.64 Mbps → 25.62 Mbps (-10.5%)

• Verizon: 15.72 Mbps → 13.93 Mbps (-11.4%)

• AT&T: 11.48 Mbps → 10.54 Mbps (-8.2%)

Key Takeaway: All three carriers experienced speed declines ranging from 8% to 11%, with Verizon suffering the steepest drops. T-Mobile remains the speed leader, but even its performance declined significantly.

For wireless dealers partnering with T-Mobile Master Agents, Verizon Master Agents, and AT&T Master Agents, understanding these speed trends is critical for positioning FWA products and managing customer expectations.

Why Are Carrier Fixed Wireless Speeds Declining?

The carrier fixed wireless speeds decline dealers are seeing isn't due to inferior technology—it's a capacity and congestion issue. Here's what's driving the slowdown:

1. Shared Network Resources

Fixed wireless access (FWA) uses the same cellular towers and spectrum as mobile phones. As carriers add more FWA customers (home internet subscribers), they're dividing the same bandwidth pie into smaller slices. More users = slower speeds for everyone.

2. Explosive FWA Growth

Carriers have aggressively marketed 5G home internet as a fiber alternative, leading to rapid subscriber growth. T-Mobile alone has over 6 million FWA customers, and Verizon and AT&T are adding hundreds of thousands quarterly. This growth is outpacing infrastructure upgrades.

3. Limited Mid-Band Spectrum

Mid-band spectrum (2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz, C-Band) delivers the best balance of speed and coverage for FWA. However, spectrum is finite, and carriers are still deploying newly acquired licenses. Until more spectrum is activated, congestion will persist.

4. Peak Usage Times

FWA speeds decline most during peak usage hours (evenings, weekends) when both mobile and home internet users are active simultaneously. This creates bottlenecks at cell towers serving dense residential areas.

5. Carrier Prioritization Policies

Some carriers prioritize mobile phone traffic over FWA traffic during congestion, meaning home internet customers experience slower speeds first. This is often buried in the fine print of FWA service agreements.

For wireless dealers, these factors create an opportunity to educate customers and position solutions that address congestion concerns.

What This Means for Wireless Dealers

The carrier fixed wireless speeds decline dealers are navigating creates three major opportunities:

Opportunity #1: Educate Customers on FWA Limitations

Most customers don't understand that FWA is a shared resource subject to congestion. Dealers who proactively explain speed variability, peak usage impacts, and carrier prioritization policies will build trust and credibility—positioning themselves as advisors, not just salespeople.

Action Step: Create simple one-page explainers or in-store signage that compares FWA to fiber, cable, and DSL, highlighting pros and cons of each. Partner with Xfinity Master Agents and AT&T Fiber Master Agents to offer multi-solution comparisons.

Opportunity #2: Position Fiber and Cable as Premium Alternatives

While FWA is affordable and easy to install, fiber and cable offer more consistent speeds and higher upload performance. Dealers can position these as premium options for customers who work from home, stream 4K content, or game online.

Action Step: Bundle mobile plans with fiber or cable internet. For example, "Get unlimited 5G + AT&T Fiber for \$120/month." This increases average revenue per customer and reduces churn.

Opportunity #3: Leverage Carrier Spectrum Investments

Carriers are investing billions in new spectrum and infrastructure to address congestion. Verizon acquired Starry's spectrum assets, AT&T purchased spectrum from EchoStar and UScellular, and T-Mobile bought 30% of UScellular's spectrum. These investments will improve FWA speeds in 2026 and beyond.

Action Step: Position FWA as a "future-proof" solution that will improve over time. Highlight upcoming 5G-Advanced deployments (faster speeds, lower latency) and carrier commitments to network expansion. Connect with T-Mobile 5G Master Agents and Verizon 5G Master Agents to stay updated on network improvements.

Actionable Strategies for Wireless Dealers

Immediate Actions (This Week):

1. Update Your FWA Sales Scripts: Train your team to address speed variability, congestion, and peak usage impacts upfront. Transparency builds trust.

2. Create "FWA vs. Fiber" Comparison Sheets: Visual aids help customers make informed decisions and position you as an advisor.

3. Offer Speed Test Demos: Show customers real-time FWA speeds in your store (during peak and off-peak hours) to set realistic expectations.

4. Bundle FWA with Mobile Plans: "Get 5G home internet + 2 unlimited lines for $100/month." Bundling increases customer lifetime value and reduces churn.

5. Stock FWA Routers and Accessories: Partner with Accessories Distributors to offer

   signal boosters, mesh systems, and external antennas that improve FWA performance.

Short-Term Actions (Next 30 Days):

1. Launch "FWA Education" Campaigns: Facebook ads, Google ads, and email blasts explaining FWA pros/cons and positioning your store as the local expert.

2. Partner with Fiber and Cable Providers: Offer multi-solution comparisons and earn commissions on fiber/cable referrals. Connect with Spectrum Master Agents for cable options.

3. Create Video Content: "FWA vs. Fiber: Which is Right for You?" explainer videos for YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

4. Host "Home Internet 101" Events: In-store events where customers can test FWA, fiber, and cable side-by-side and ask questions.

5. Track FWA Customer Satisfaction: Follow up with FWA customers 30 days post-activation to address speed concerns and offer solutions (signal boosters, plan upgrades, fiber alternatives).

Long-Term Actions (Next 90 Days):

1. Build a "Home Connectivity" Product Line: Expand beyond FWA to offer fiber, cable, DSL, satellite, and mesh Wi-Fi systems. Become the one-stop shop for home internet.

2. Monitor Carrier Network Upgrades: Stay updated on 5G-Advanced deployments, spectrum activations, and tower upgrades in your market. Use this intel to time FWA promotions and customer outreach.

3. Create Retention Programs for FWA Customers: Offer loyalty rewards, speed upgrade promotions, and referral incentives to reduce churn.

4. Leverage MVNO Partnerships: Offer affordable FWA alternatives via MVNOs that resell carrier networks at lower prices.

5. Invest in Training: Ensure your team understands FWA technology, congestion dynamics, and competitive alternatives. Partner with Repair Training Schools for technical certifications.

How to Position Each Carrier's FWA Performance

T-Mobile: The Speed Leader (But Declining)

Average Download Speed: 199.63 Mbps (still 2x faster than Verizon and AT&T)

Positioning: "T-Mobile offers the fastest 5G home internet, even with recent speed declines. Perfect for streaming, gaming, and multi-device households."

Dealer Action: Emphasize T-Mobile's speed leadership while acknowledging congestion during peak hours. Offer signal boosters and external antennas to maximize performance. Connect with T-Mobile Prepaid Master Agents for affordable FWA options.

Verizon: The Biggest Decline (But Investing Heavily)

Average Download Speed: 104.03 Mbps (down 11%)

Positioning: "Verizon is investing billions in new spectrum and infrastructure to improve 5G home internet speeds. Expect major improvements in 2026."

Dealer Action: Acknowledge current speed challenges but highlight Verizon's Starry acquisition and C-Band expansion. Position Verizon FWA as a "future-proof" investment. Partner with Verizon Prepaid Master Agents for cost-effective FWA plans.

AT&T: The Underdog (But Improving)

Average Download Speed: 91.16 Mbps (slowest, but improving with new spectrum)

Positioning: "AT&T is activating new mid-band spectrum from EchoStar and UScellular, which will significantly boost 5G home internet speeds in 2026."

Position AT&T FWA as the "value option" with upcoming speed improvements. Highlight AT&T's fiber footprint as a premium alternative for customers who need guaranteed speeds. Connect with AT&T Fiber Master Agents to offer bundled solutions.

Key Takeaways for Wireless Dealers

Carrier fixed wireless speeds decline dealers must address proactively to maintain customer trust and capture market share. Here's what you need to remember:

1. Speed Declines Are Real: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all experienced 8-11% speed declines in Q2-Q3 2025 due to network congestion and shared resources.

2. Educate, Don't Oversell: Customers appreciate transparency. Explain FWA limitations, congestion dynamics, and peak usage impacts upfront.

3. Position Alternatives: Fiber and cable offer more consistent speeds. Bundle FWA with fiber or cable to increase revenue and reduce churn.

4. Leverage Carrier Investments: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are investing billions in spectrum and infrastructure. Position FWA as a "future-proof" solution that will improve over time.

5. Expand Your Product Line: Don't just sell FWA—offer fiber, cable, mesh Wi-Fi, signal boosters, and accessories to become the one-stop shop for home connectivity.

The dealers who act fast—educating customers, positioning alternatives, and leveraging carrier investments—will capture the most market share. Carrier fixed wireless speeds decline dealers can turn into a competitive advantage by being the most knowledgeable and transparent provider in your market.

Start today by updating your sales scripts, creating comparison sheets, and partnering with phone distributors, smart home device distributors, and electronics distributors to offer comprehensive home connectivity solutions. The window is open—capture it now.