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What is Fixed Wireless Internet and How Does It Compare to Satellite?

Updated: Jun 27

Is it better than satellite internet?

Fixed Wireless Internet

Satellite Internet: There are 3 parts to gaining internet access through satellites. There is the geostationary satellite orbiting Earth, the satellite dish, and the modem. Signals are sent from the satellite dish into a low orbit or higher orbit satellite. These signals are bounced off the satellite to the internet service provider Network Operations Center is privately connected to the internet. The internet signals reach the modem, which transmits to the satellite dish. The dish can now connect you to the internet. Satellite internet is typically chosen by people who live in rural areas with no other options. Many of these places don't have fixed wireless, DSL, or fiber optic internet services available.


Fixed Wireless Internet: Fixed wireless is a broadband internet connection that uses radio signals rather than satellite signals to communicate. Signals never leave the planet. They come from your internet service provider’s tower, which is also called a ground station or line of sight. Ground stations are usually up to 10 miles away from your house. An antenna will pick up the radio signals. The modem is usually near the window. The signals travel to the modem. The modem changes them into a usable form and can provide your home with WiFi or can be hardwired to your devices such as TV printer’s computers ETC. making it much more reliable. A modem connects all of your devices into one network Via Wifi or Ethernet and sends information to and from the internet service provider’s tower.


Fixed Wireless Internet

This is how you can send an email stream TV play games and work from home or schooling and surf the internet. You can choose from a wireless or wired modem. A wireless modem is connected to the power sources by a DC charger/ DC plug. Internet is available without any other wires. A wired modem is directly connected to your computer. Many people use Ethernet cables. These routers have their own Wi-Fi access points and you can connect other devices to its wireless local area network (WLAN) without wires.


A Comparison


Satellite internet and fixed wireless internet both have their pros and cons. Here are some comparison points.


Price: Fixed wireless internet can cost from $85 to $130. It depends on your internet service provider. With stable connectivity and good speeds.

Satellite internet can cost from $60 to $200. With limited data, unstable connectivity and speeds may differ based on plans.

If you're looking for quality high-speed internet, satellite internet isn't the cheapest option of the two. You can get higher download speeds for less money with fixed wireless internet.


Weather: Not only is satellite internet expensive, but it's more prone to weather interference. Signals have to travel out of Earth's atmosphere to reach the satellites in space, so the weather can interrupt these signals. This results in slower internet or no internet connection at all. Even if you aren't experiencing bad weather, your internet can cut out if an area surrounding you is. Windy, snowy, rainy, and lightning affect signal reception. Moisture weakens the satellite signal.

Fixed wireless is on Earth and doesn't go near the atmosphere. They also travel a shorter distance than satellite signals. No matter where it is, the weather rarely affects signal transmissions. Sometimes fog or rain can reduce the connection. Fixed wireless will give you cheaper internet with fewer interruptions.


Latency: Latency is defined as the amount of time needed for a signal to travel with information. Satellite internet requires much more time because the signal has to leave the surface. After that, the signal has to go to the Network Operations Center, your modem, and then your computer. An Internet service provider with high speeds can be slowed the latency of satellite internet, especially when the weather isn't good.

Fixed wireless signals often have to reach a tower which is less than 10 miles away. There's barely any delay compared to satellite signals because of how close the line of sight is to your house. People with fixed wireless can enjoy a fast internet connection.


Data Caps: A data cap is a limit to the amount of data a customer can use without being charged extra. It can also be in the form of an internet speed limit. Many satellite internet service providers have data caps on their internet plans and can even throttle your internet usage. Many satellite internet service providers have an unlimited data plan, but if a customer goes over 150 GB or 250GB , they may have a slower internet connection. For example connection speeds go from 25 Mbps to 1-3 Mbps for the rest of the billing month after you exceed the data amount in your plan.


Fixed wireless internet service providers have data caps on their plans meaning they have a wide range of plans from 250 GB for $84.99 to an unlimited plan for 129.99. You can use the internet for as long as you want and download as much as you want. There's no fear of going over the data limit if you’re on the unlimited plan and being charged a fee.


It's faster and cheaper than satellite internet. You don't need to worry about low data caps. Interruptions happen much less than they do with satellite signals.


if you are looking to install fixed wireless internet and want to get rid of slow speed and and high monthly bills then here is an option Speed Net Broadband that provides the same kind of fixed wireless internet.


Regards,

Alex Ghidode







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