Abstract
Fixed wireless access (FWA) utilizing both licensed and unlicensed millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum is considered a key technology that can lead to the early deployment of the fifth-generation new-radio (5G-NR) networks. 5G FWA can provide easy installation of network infrastructure and ubiquitous high-speed Internet access at low cost compared to the conventional broadband fixed access networks. In this article, we investigate the mmWave distribution network (mDN) use case that has been standardized recently by the IEEE 802.11ay standard as an alternative 5G FWA solution. Specifically, we provide a comprehensive tutorial view of the considered new protocol specifications and design elements of the mDN. We also highlight some challenging research issues in the field of the mDN. Finally, we provide a case study based on the investigation of the mDN where a low-complexity concurrent transmission protocol is proposed to enhance the network performance while mitigating the interference.