
<PAGE>   1
                                    EXHIBIT 5

                                  March 1, 2000


AirNet Communications Corporation
100 Rialto Place, Suite 300
Melbourne, Florida 32901

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for AirNet Communications Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration of 2,950,000
shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock, $.001 par value (the "Common Stock"),
issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options granted, or which may be
granted, pursuant to the AirNet Communications Corporation 1999 Equity Incentive
Plan (the "Plan").

In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the rules
and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the
date hereof (the "Registration Statement"), relating to the above-mentioned
registration. In addition, we have examined such corporate records, certificates
and other documents, and reviewed such questions of law, as we have deemed
necessary or advisable in order to enable us to render the opinion contained
herein.

In our examination of the foregoing documents, we have assumed the genuineness
of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, the conformity to unsigned documents of all documents submitted to us
as certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of
such latter documents.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares being registered
under the Registration Statement, when issued and paid for as contemplated by
the Plan and applicable stock option agreement, assuming proper execution of the
stock certificates therefor, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal Matters" in the
Prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such
consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose
consent is required by Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.

                                                Very truly yours,



                                                 /s/ Edwards & Angell, LLP
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                 EDWARDS & ANGELL, LLP




