What is wireless internet and how does it work?

Fixed wireless internet is different from more traditional internet connection in that instead of using a cable, it brings the internet signal to your home via radio waves transmitted by a core station. Fixed wireless broadband services use transmission towers that communicate with one another and with the subscriber’s location. These stations are maintained by internet providers, similar to cell phone towers. High speed internet of up to 30MBPS is readily available.

Strengths

  • No data caps

    Use as much as you want

  • Easy and convenient installation

    No wiring or technical involvement required so you are free to cut the cord

  • Availability

    Other than DSL, fixed wireless internet is used to provide internet services to rural areas, thus making it widely available

  • Fixed wireless

    Fixed wireless internet offers users high speeds comparable to high speed cable connections, even in a rural area

Shortcomings

  • Fixed wireless internet service

    Fixed wireless internet service is often more expensive than traditional technologies – the MBPS cost/bandwidth for subscribers tends to be higher

  • Physical obstructions

    Physical obstructions that hinder sight of the station can cause lapses in signals. Inclement weather can also cause signal interruptions

  • Fixed wireless internet

    Fixed wireless internet does not support roaming as every connection is tied to a physical access point

Bottom Line It’s a very convenient option if you live in a densely populated area – a comfortable way to get fast internet speeds with low latency. Better catered towards individual rather than family use, but recent developments in technology is making fixed wireless internet grow exponentially so keep an eye out.

Scope of Fixed wireless; is it the future?

Fixed wireless internet requires limited infrastructure and is more versatile than other Internet options. Looking ahead, Fixed wireless has the potential to compete side by side with fiber while being able to offer the same level of quality – this is due to the standard being set by 5G technology (which is explained comprehensively here [future link of 5G article page] ) in which new micro wave radios can handle bandwidth up to 10+ GB. in simple terms, faster speed utilization. Furthermore, it can be installed faster and at a fraction of the cost of fiber installations. All these benefits point towards a growing trend for fixed wireless internet.

What you need to know about wireless internet installation:

When you opt for fixed wireless internet, the provider will install a receiver on your house. It will communicate with the nearest wireless base station and offer you access to the web via a single cable carrying the broadband signal from the receiver to the router in your house. There are several internet service providers that offer fixed wireless internet to U.S, use our search tool below to compare the company offerings and find the best fit in your zip!

Is fixed wireless internet right for me?

Fixed wireless is the right connection for you if speed and cost matters to you and if you are someone who prefers a simple setup that does not require any complicated wires and cables; however, the bad side of fixed wireless internet is that the connection is susceptible to interruptions due to the weather or simply a disturbance in the line of sight of the dish to the tower. The major thing to remember here is that if you are someone who lives in a rural area then fixed wireless internet is one of the best options available to you as it offers better speeds than DSL and lower latency than satellite.

Fixed wireless internet vs Satellite internet

For those living in rural areas, internet options lie between DSL, satellite or fixed wireless internet so if you are someone who is having trouble choosing between fixed wireless or satellite, we are here to tell you to go for fixed wireless. Why? The answer is quite simple; fixed wireless internet offers higher speeds with lower latency to users and on top of that, it is also generally cheaper than satellite, thus obviously the more desirable option.

Fixed wireless internet providers

AT&T offers fixed wireless internet so that its customers can have access to a reliable and affordable internet connection wherever they are located. AT&T is a well reputed telecommunications company that has been operating in the US since the 1980s, and has one of the most comprehensive network coverage in the market.

Why choose AT&T

  • Reliable connection

    AT&T provides its customers with a reliable and high speed internet connection with a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 1 Mbps.

  • 250 GB Data

    A fixed wireless connection by AT&T comes with an allowed data limit of 250 GB which is a really good amount of data allotment for this sort of connection.

  • Affordable

    AT&T offers affordable fixed wireless internet packages for its customers, starting at just $49.99, to make sure that everyone has accessibility to reliable internet in the country.

Considerations

  • Data limit

    The fixed wireless internet plans offered by AT&T come with a data limit of 250 GB which can be very restricting for most households.

  • Overage fees

    As mentioned before, AT&T has a data limit of 250 GB set for its fixed wireless internet plans and when that limit is crossed, overage charges are applied to the customer, which can add up to be very expensive for customers.

  • Contracts

    AT&T makes customers sign up for long term contracts of a year or two years to avail a service from them, which means that not only are you bound to a service for a year or two, you will also face cancellation fees if you choose to terminate your service earlier.

Verizon is an American telecommunications company that is focused on bringing innovative products to its customers by driving innovation and employing a customer centric approach during product development.

Why should you choose Verizon?

  • No data caps

    Unlike other providers, Verizon has set no data caps on its fixed wireless internet packages, which means that customers can browse and download to their heart’s content without having to worry about going over their allocated data limited.

  • Self set up

    The set up and installation process for the Verizon fixed wireless internet is very simple and can be done by you very quickly!

  • No annual contracts

    Unlike other providers, Verizon does not make its customers sign long term contracts so that they are free to continue or discontinue the service without having to worry about termination fees.

Considerations

  • Cost

    Verizon is a bit costlier with its fixed wireless internet plans starting at $60 per month than the alternatives in the market and despite its high quality performance, this might be a disadvantage for more price conscious consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can carry out all of the basic internet activities by using fixed wireless internet such as streaming, browsing, gaming, web surfing and social media etc.

Yes, AT&T does offer fixed wireless internet at $49.99/ month with speeds up to 25 Mbps

When you opt for fixed wireless internet, the provider will install a receiver on your house. It will communicate with the nearest wireless base station and offer you access to the web via a single cable carrying the broadband signal from the receiver to the router in your house.

Yes, fixed wireless internet is as, if not more secure than other connection types such as DSL, cable or satellite.

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