Fixed Wireless Internet Access: Benefits and misconceptions
There has been significant acceleration in the adoption of Internet access services to support the growth of SD-WAN networks. When speaking with our customers, we found that the discussion often turns to quality, reliability, and how to ensure technology and network diversity to prevent downtime.
In this blog, we will be discussing Fixed Wireless Access and its ability to offer true physical diversity over the last mile to terrestrial networks.
What is Fixed Wireless Internet?
Not be confused with mobile broadband, Fixed Wireless Access uses microwave radio to send and receive high-speed data between two fixed locations (point-to-point). With Fixed Wireless Access, customers can achieve faster and more reliable Internet. Think of Fixed Wireless as a cable in the sky, rather than a connection you can move around.
Where a diverse terrestrial infrastructure is not an option, Fixed Wireless Access can be used as a diverse, secure, and reliable part of your Enterprise’s WAN – not to mention it offers rapid installation, low capital costs (no fiber builds), and scalable bandwidth.
But even with all these benefits, some Network Managers still have doubts and concerns about relying on this technology. In this post, we gather the most common misunderstandings about Fixed Wireless Internet Access:
Questions and misconceptions about Fixed Wireless Internet
“I heard these connections are unreliable.”
Not true. One of the most common reasons behind unreliable wireless networks is interference (i.e. multiple wireless services competing for the same frequency space). Fixed Wireless Access operates over a licensed or unlicensed wireless spectrum – licensed wireless services are more reliable than unlicensed ones, but both provide a comparable experience to terrestrial services.
Licensed links
Licensed links guarantee security against interference from other wireless systems and are purchased by the provider from their local regulator. Only the provider who has purchased the licensed links can use it, meaning interference from other services is impossible.
Licensed links are effective for businesses requiring high bandwidth and long-term service consistency, and they are typically more expensive than unlicensed services. This is because the provider must purchase the licensed spectrum, often at a significant cost.
Unlicensed links
Anyone can set up unlicensed links at any time – they exist on the same spectrum as your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even your microwave oven. However, significant interference remains unlikely as ISPs configure their wireless network to minimize the chance of clashing with other wireless systems.
Interference within a point-to-point system is also much less frequent due to the directional nature of the wireless equipment being used. Wireless networks can now handle interference intelligently to reduce performance degradation and downtime by relatively changing how they connect to each other in light of the current electromagnetic environment.
“Installation time frames are too long.”
Quite the opposite! Because there is no physical intervention required outside the customer premises, Fixed Wireless Internet can often be installed within a few weeks.
Once a clear line of sight between supplier and end-location has been confirmed, and after receiving building owner approval to install a receiver, you can expect your service to be up and running as soon as an engineer can visit the premises.
In fact, Wireless connections are often used as “quick deployment” solutions by ISPs facing long lead times for terrestrial infrastructure upstream. Typically, a wireless network is entirely within the ISP’s control.
“Is Fixed Wireless similar to Mobile Broadband?”
Not at all! Mobile Broadband – 4G/LTE – is a very different solution. While both options provide secure Internet access, Fixed Wireless Internet requires a fixed address and can guarantee higher maximum speeds without restricting data usage. Mobile Broadband is portable, relies on cellular connectivity, and often carries usage charges or other restrictions. Also, when it comes to mobile, achievable bandwidth speeds are variable and never guaranteed.
“The weather will take my service offline.”
It is highly unlikely, but certain types of harsh weather, such as heavy rain or wind, can sometimes impact wireless frequencies. However, when the antenna system and selected frequency are configured correctly (i.e., coding schemes adapting to lower speeds in periods of poor weather), you can count on your service not going offline. This is also why so many wireless ISPs can guarantee high uptimes as standard with their Service Level Agreement.
Severe wind can also indirectly impact Fixed Wireless if the antenna gets knocked out of alignment. To counter this, wireless ISPs account for potential high winds when installing the Fixed Wireless antennas.
“Can I run VoIP or other latency/jitter sensitive applications over Fixed Wireless Internet?”
Yes. Fixed Wireless Internet Access is a low latency solution that supports latency and jitter sensitive applications such as VoIP services, remote desktop, and videoconferencing. By layering VoIP over a reliable fixed wireless connection, customers will benefit from a similar or the same user experience as with a terrestrial solution.
“Fixed Wireless means Satellite, right?”
No. Fixed Wireless and Satellite are two very different technologies. Satellite involves transmitting signals to an orbiting satellite and back. In contrast, Fixed Wireless Internet uses microwave radio frequency to connect two fixed terrestrial points.
While higher latency is unavoidable with traditional Satellite technology (due to the ~72,000KM a signal travels), Fixed Wireless Internet Access can offer similar quality and performance as services with a physical terrestrial cable.
Considering Fixed Wireless for your Enterprise WAN?
Understanding all of the different methods of delivering Internet access can be a daunting concept, and it's tempting to stick to what we know and trust.
But to get the most out of your Internet deployment, it is key to first understand the options that the market can provide – read our blog where we discuss the main considerations when adopting SD-WAN.
Alternatively, if you’re ready to deploy Fixed Wireless Access within your connectivity strategy, get in touch today.