When you browse through your options for internet in your home, you should know that your choices depend on location and other factors. People who live in rural areas often have fewer types of connectivity they can select. Cable and fiber internet usually cost much more to implement in a community, so rural areas often don’t have them. You may have the ability, however, to choose fixed wireless or satellite internet. These systems have some overlapping features, but they function fairly uniquely. Let’s dig into the particulars, with tips for how you can decide.
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What Is Fixed Wireless Internet?
It helps to think about fixed wireless internet like a mobile phone service. You connect to a cell tower near you, which takes broadband signals and transmits them via radio signals. It doesn’t require much to access it. All you need is a service to provide it and the necessary equipment for wireless connectivity at your home. This method is great because you don’t have to wait for a fiber or cable service to develop in your area. You may be able to set it up in less than a day. Of course, your ability to get reliable service might depend on cell tower land lease rates and accessibility in the area.
How Does Satellite Internet Work?
Satellite internet is somewhat similar, but you’re not getting your internet from a tower a few miles away. Instead, when you sign up for satellite service, you connect a satellite dish and position it to receive signals from a low-orbit satellite. Satellite is one of the most accessible options out there. You can get satellite from almost anywhere on earth, as long as you have a satellite dish you can point clearly at the sky. Since you’re getting a signal from hundreds of miles away, the time to transmit data might be longer than fixed wireless options. Keep that in mind if your connectivity needs mean that seconds matter.
Which Factors Should You Consider When Making a Choice?
Don’t make a choice until you really know which one is going to be right for you. To make a true comparison between these two services, you should look at these factors:
- Latency: Fixed wireless often takes less time to transmit data because the tower is closer.
- Speed: Upload/download speeds can be faster with fixed wireless, but it depends on the tower. Satellite speeds tend to be more consistent.
- Reliability: Both satellite and fixed wireless have a good record for reliability. Satellite is more likely to have problems in inclement weather, while fixed wireless may start failing if you’re too far from a tower.
- Cost: When you consider costs, be sure to include the cost of installation, the price of regular internet service, and contract requirements. Prices may look similar at first but then increasingly different as you use the service.
- Installation: If you have a cell tower near you, installation may be similar for either service. Just make sure that someone is available to provide the installation, where applicable.
How Much Connectivity Do You Need?
Before you start making decisions based on latency, download speeds and other factors, stop to think about your needs. Not everyone needs the latest and greatest. Want home internet so you can browse and scroll social media without chewing through your mobile data? Pick something convenient and affordable. Have a remote job that requires streaming over a seamless connection all day long? You should probably plump for the best.
When you live in a rural area, you may have to choose between fixed wireless and satellite internet. Considering these factors can help you distinguish which one is likely to work for you. By looking at your connectivity needs and what’s available in your area, you can make a decision that will provide effective internet.
Hey, I’m Jeremy Clifford. I hold a bachelor’s degree in information systems, and I’m a certified network specialist. I worked for several internet providers in LA, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Seattle over the past 21 years.
I worked as a customer service operator, field technician, network engineer, and network specialist. During my career in networking, I’ve come across numerous modems, gateways, routers, and other networking hardware. I’ve installed network equipment, fixed it, designed and administrated networks, etc.
Networking is my passion, and I’m eager to share everything I know with you. On this website, you can read my modem and router reviews, as well as various how-to guides designed to help you solve your network problems. I want to liberate you from the fear that most users feel when they have to deal with modem and router settings.
My favorite free-time activities are gaming, movie-watching, and cooking. I also enjoy fishing, although I’m not good at it. What I’m good at is annoying David when we are fishing together. Apparently, you’re not supposed to talk or laugh while fishing – it scares the fishes.