How fixed wireless internet works
Fixed wireless networks—also known as fixed wireless access (FWA), broadband wireless access (BWA), wireless internet service providers (WISPs), and several other terms—work by sending a wireless signal directly from a remote transmitter to a receiver on your home. While cell towers transmit in all directions within a given radius to serve mobile customers, fixed wireless transmitters send signals directly to other fixed wireless transmitters.
Fixed wireless signals
Fixed wireless providers use a variety of technologies in their networks, ranging from microwave-band connections like WiMAX to millimeter-band connections similar to those used in 5G technologies. The main distinction between fixed wireless connections and cellular technologies is that fixed wireless connections cannot be moved and require line of sight (or near line of sight) to the transmitter.
Another difference between fixed wireless and cellular connections is the equipment involved. Cellular equipment usually consists of a single device within the home, which may have a separate antenna that is placed in a window. Fixed wireless connections usually have an external antenna or dish mounted on the outside of the house to maximize signal strength. This is then connected to the customer premises equipment (CPE) where you plug in your router (or the CPE might have a router built in). In multifamily buildings like apartments, the entire building might be connected to the network with a single antenna and CPE, which is then connected to routers in each individual household.
With the development of 4G LTE home internet and 5G home internet, which both sacrifice mobility to provide a stronger signal, the distinction between fixed wireless and cellular providers is becoming even more blurred.
Fixed wireless infrastructure
Fixed wireless providers work similarly to most landline networks, but they use wireless transmitters instead of running cables underground. Not only does this configuration save on the up-front costs of building a network, but it also allows for a strong and fast internet connection within that network.
These wireless transmitters connect in two different ways, point-to-point (PtP) and point-to-multiple-point (PtMP). The antennas that connect to all the residential customers in a given area use PtMP, with one tower providing a signal to multiple homes. These antennas then use direct PtP connections to send the signal toward the backbone of the provider’s network (a high-bandwidth fiber connection), which then connects to the rest of the internet.
Fixed wireless antennas can also be much smaller (and cheaper to build) than cell towers. However, to get the most out of their range, they need to be mounted someplace high. Tall buildings and mountains make excellent spots to mount antennas. But, in flatter areas, providers might have to build towers just to keep the signals from being blocked by the curvature of the earth.
The expansion of fixed wireless
Fixed wireless technology has been around for a long time, but it’s seen more growth as more frequencies of the spectrum are opened up for commercial use. For example, another chunk of the spectrum was opened in 2015, allowing fixed wireless providers to use frequencies that were previously reserved for government uses like radar.1
Also, since fixed wireless networks can make use of unlicensed spectrum bands (where equipment has to be able to function while causing minimal interference to other users), new fixed wireless networks can be deployed rapidly while dealing with fewer regulations.2
One of the biggest challenges for fixed wireless networks is their asymmetric speeds. Like many other connection types, fixed wireless networks often deliver much higher download speeds than upload speeds. This is ideal for many high-bandwidth activities, like streaming movies and downloading files; however, as online habits shift toward things like video chat, telehealth, and livestreaming, upload speed is becoming more important.
This shift is reflected in government programs like the USDA’s ReConnect Program, which requires providers to offer symmetrical speeds of at least 100Mbps in order to qualify for funding.4 This could make it difficult for fixed wireless providers, many of whom are small local companies, to keep up with other technologies.5
Bridging the Digital Divide
Although fixed wireless isn’t as fast as fiber or as exciting as cutting-edge satellite technology, it might be one of the fastest and easiest ways to address the digital divide. It might even get better as wireless technologies like 5G inspire new solutions to the challenges that come with wireless internet.
One example of this potential can be found in Amarillo, Texas, where the city is building a fixed wireless network to bring internet access to school children. Motivated by the urgent need for online education during the pandemic, this new wireless network will cover 50 square miles and, notably, provide symmetrical upload and download speeds, which are important for online education.6 Fixed wireless is an ideal technology for this kind of application because it covers an entire area, filling in the gaps where homes fall between other providers’ coverage areas.
This project is one of many being funded through the new federal broadband infrastructure programs. The planners of this project also intend to expand its reach in the future, bringing wireless internet access to underserved communities throughout the Texas panhandle.6
