The struggle of finding a reliable internet connection is real when you don’t reside in a metropolitan neighborhood. You reach out to likely prospects only to be turned down because their services don’t quite reach your area.
Rural and remote users often lack access to high-speed wired broadband, such as cable and fiber internet. Under these circumstances, wireless internet options are a ray of hope.
Fixed wireless and satellite internet are considered the best rural internet options, so let’s find out how they compare to each other.
What is Fixed Wireless Internet?
Fixed Wireless Internet uses radio waves to establish a connection between your provider’s dedicated cell tower and a receiver installed on your property. It is similar to 4G/ mobile internet but excels in terms of speed and reliability; fixed wireless is designed for a specific location, whereas mobile internet keeps you connected on the go.
How Fixed Wireless Internet Works
The internet provider’s cell tower is within a ten-mile radius of the user’s residence, and the antenna (receiver) is connected to a modem inside the house. You can access the internet through WiFi or ethernet when you connect your modem to a router.
What is Satellite Internet?
Satellite internet too relies on radio waves, but the distances involved in data transmission are way more extensive. A satellite dish is installed on the customer’s property, which sends signals to a satellite orbiting the earth – thousands of miles away.
The satellite in space sends signals to your internet provider’s service station; from there, the signals are redirected back to your satellite dish so you can access the requested information. Your satellite dish connects to a modem via cable, so you can attach a router to create your home network. Given the long route data signals must travel, satellite internet tends to have high latency or ping.
Key Differences: Fixed Wireless vs. Satellite Internet
While fixed wireless and satellite both employ to provide internet access, they’re two distinct technologies. A detailed fixed wireless vs. satellite internet comparison addressing individual aspects like speed, latency, and cost will assist you in making an informed decision.
Fixed Wireless Internet
Speed & Reliability
The leading fixed wireless internet providers in the United States are utilizing 5G technology, which can reach download speeds up to 1 Gbps, and even upload speeds as much as 500 Mbps.
However, the overall performance and signal reliability depend upon several factors, such as distance from the cell tower, radio frequency interferences, and the provider’s bandwidth capacity.
Latency Issues
Fixed wireless has a latency range of 10 – 50ms, which is comparable to what you get with cable internet. Therefore, you can enjoy real-time online activities like video calls and multiplayer gaming without interruptions.
Data Limits
Most fixed wireless internet providers offer unlimited data plans, so you won’t have to worry about overage fees or bandwidth throttling.
Weather Impact
Fixed wireless internet is not influenced by mild weather fluctuations. You can expect a stable connection through dense snow, fog, and rain as well. However, strong winds may displace the antenna/receiver and interrupt the service.
Cost & Availability
Thanks to the 5G technology, fixed wireless internet coverage is expanding. Nonetheless, rural availability is still limited.
Fixed wireless is cheaper to set up and operate, making it the more affordable internet option.
Satellite Internet
Speed & Reliability
Satellite internet is a lot more susceptible to signal interferences, given that data travels more than 20,000 miles on average. As a result, download and upload speeds are relatively slow.
Typical speeds with a satellite internet connection fall between 12 – 100 Mbps; you can get more (up to 200 Mbps), depending on your provider and location. A clear view of the sky and sound weather improves overall performance.
Latency Issues
Satellite internet has high latency - around 600ms on average; this owes to the thousands of miles signals travel. High latency impacts real-time applications, causing gameplay lags, video buffering, patchy audio, delayed response, etc.
Data Limits
Satellite internet plans often have tight data caps, so the service is throttled or stopped when you’ve exhausted the limit. However, some providers do offer unlimited data options as well.
Weather Impact
Weather conditions in your area can greatly affect the satellite internet performance. Rain, snow, and storms tend to cause signal interference, so you’ll suffer speed and connectivity issues.
Cost & Availability
Satellite internet is available nationwide, which makes it ideal for remote and rural users.
The cost of satellite internet is much higher than traditional broadband because it has a complex and expensive infrastructure.
Satellite vs. Fixed Wireless: Pros and Cons
Fixed Wireless
PROS
- Easy to set up and operate
- Low latency
- Economical
- Seldom affected by weather
- Capable of high speeds up to 1 Gbps
CONS
- Signal receiver (antenna) requires a direct line of sight to the cell tower.
- Not as reliable as wired broadband
- Physical obstructions and extreme weather conditions can cause signal interference.
Satellite
PROS
- Accessible everywhere
- Decent speeds and capacity to support rural households
- Practical for mobile homes, such as RVs, ships, etc.
CONS
- High latency
- Difficult and expensive to set up
- Relatively slow speeds
- Most providers impose data caps
- Performance is highly susceptible to environmental conditions
What is the Best Internet Option for Your Needs?
When it comes to rural internet options, fixed wireless and satellite might be the only practical choices. Now the question is, which of the two is best for you? Fixed wireless certainly comes on top in terms of overall performance, speed, and affordability.
However, fixed wireless is not available to all rural and remote users. Satellite internet prevails in the matter of coverage – whether you live at sea or in the countryside, a satellite internet connection is attainable to keep you connected.
To conclude, choose fixed wireless if it’s operational in your area and wired internet options are absent. Go with satellite internet when you have no alternatives – it’s ideal for remote and rural connectivity.
FAQs
Is fixed wireless better than satellite internet?
Yes, fixed wireless delivers better speeds and lower latency than satellite internet. It is better suited for high-bandwidth and real-time applications.
Who is the best satellite internet provider?
Who is the best fixed wireless internet provider?
AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are the leading fixed wireless/5G Home Internet providers in America.