Cambium collapse highlights WISP vendor concentration risks
The collapse of Cambium Networks exposes the risks of vendor dependence for wireless ISPs, as Cambium accounted for 39.5% of subscriber radios in a sample. Airspan's acquisition offers a temporary reprieve but leaves uncertainties about software support and the ePMP product line. Meanwhile, private 4G/5G deployments have reached 2,031 organizations in 88 countries, and zero-touch IoT onboarding is advancing.
The vendor concentration problem is starkly illustrated by Preseem's 2026 data showing Cambium held 39.5 percent of connected subscriber radios in its ISP sample, with significant presence in dense sectors where replacement costs would be high. Airspan's acquisition offers temporary relief for PMP 450 operators, but the exclusion of ePMP from the deal and Airspan's own financial history leave the product roadmap uncertain.
Beyond the Cambium situation, the broader wireless market shows momentum. The GSA counts 2,031 organizations across 88 countries deploying private 4G/5G networks, with compound growth of 37 percent since 2019. LoRaWAN has reached 150 million connected devices growing at 25 percent annually, while the WBA and FIDO Alliance advance zero-touch IoT onboarding trials.
The Cambium collapse could reshape how smaller wireless ISPs approach infrastructure planning, forcing them to weigh vendor diversity against operational simplicity. Communities relying on fixed wireless access may face service disruption or costly equipment swaps if software support deteriorates. Meanwhile, the continued expansion of private 4G/5G and IoT deployments suggests enterprises and municipalities are increasingly betting on wireless alternatives, which could broaden connectivity options for underserved areas while concentrating market power among fewer remaining vendors.