Fixed wireless is a cost-effective and rapidly deployed commercial internet solution

June 28, 2023

Fixed Wireless Business Internet

Currently, tech companies and internet service providers have collaborated, bringing the rural demographics as the sustainable network solution. Fixed wireless access promises to resolve the long overdue issues with connectivity existing in the underserved areas through the CBRS spectrum and the small cell infrastructures.

Before these innovations, rural communities had been on the periphery, mainly disconnected. But, where the wired broadband had failed, the fixed wireless broadband had picked up and laid a new precedent across widespread connectivity.

The rural communities had been considered broadband dead zones or held hostage through the complexities coming from the geographic locations. The scalable infrastructure of the fixed wireless technology is making the location non-issue allowing communities to enjoy reliable and fast connections.

At the time, that had been deemed with a strong connection as an important public service with the tech companies understanding the demand for better feasible connectivity solutions. With numerous in-person services moving online, like license renewals or filing taxes, the quality connection is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The fixed wireless internet is the long-awaited solution that bridges the digital gap between urban and rural communities.

Fixed Wireless Access

In broader terms, fixed wireless internet access is the alternative to conventional broadband using radio frequencies instead of cables to transmit the signals to the end users. It is the kind of wireless technology that brings better connectivity to homes and businesses without the difficulty of deploying a sizable infrastructure. Signals are sent out at ultra-high speeds enabling the end-users to transfer data to and from the devices seamlessly with the fixed wireless.

Fixed wireless operates through minimal infrastructure that requires the end user to install a smaller antenna to receive signals. It is the cost-effective alternative to wired broadband, offering users a stable connection with strong bandwidth and high speed at affordable rates.

Difference Between Wired and Fixed Broadband Access

As wired broadband offers fast internet, fixed wireless broadband offers the exceed or equivalent wired broadband speeds at a fraction of the cost.

Wired broadband is dispersed through telephone, fiber-optic cables, powerlines, and other mediums. The fixed wireless signals alternatively travel through the air.

There are times when the wired connections would encounter interference from different factors like cable routine, which are the longer distances that weaken the connection causing a lack of performance. On the contrary, fixed wireless internet access can easily stay connected whenever the equipment is located properly, ensuring the line of sight is not blocked.

Wired broadband users often experience network congestion due to the high-user volume. The network connections slow down the entire speed with signal integrity.

Fixed Wireless Internet Provider
Fixed Wireless Internet Provider

The physical infrastructure that arrives with the wired broadband access will create single points of failure leading to power outages for those relying on a reliable connection.

The infrastructure will make their deployment difficult and expensive for the internet service providers and end users. The installation will often need disruptive and invasive construction to the communities. However, fixed wireless access is quicker and easier to install.

How is Fixed Wireless Access Deployed?

The fixed wireless access starts with the base station connected to the fixed wireless network. The base station then distributes the radio frequencies to the fixed wireless nodes like the FW-300i, which are generally deployed in the towers with 360-degree coverage. These nodes send potential radio signals to your antennas or installed devices. It is where the connection is established, enabling you to send data with greater ease.

The fixed wireless internet providers follow the strategic node deployment often targeted to ensure that the line of sight is not an issue. Removal of the inconvenient wires and cables from the equation will make the installation and network deployment effective and simple. Bringing connectivity to the digital deserts with little to no connection is never easier due to the ease of deployment.

Fixed wireless internet is faster to deploy and install than fiber optic, and coax cable normally needs lengthier construction build-out timelines due to the operating cable from the utility pipes or the boring underground, getting the permits from the local governments, and finding the contracts performing the work. The coax cable and the fiber internet normally take months and even years to get deployed in areas where the business clients are not located in the lit building.

On the other hand, Fixed wireless internet usually only requires a small antenna installed at the business customer's site, and it can be done without penetrating the roof in under a week. Let us now dive into the details further.

Eliminating Physical Infrastructure

One of the key reasons that fixed wireless internet is rapidly deployed is its ability to bypass physical infrastructure requirements. Traditional wired connections like fiber optic cables need a notable investment in trenching, underground cabling, and other labor-intensive duties. 

On the contrary, fixed wireless depends on the radio signals transmitted between the towers or the base stations and receivers installed at the customer premises. Eliminating the requirement of the physical connections, fixed wireless is rolled out instantly, saving time and resources.

Rapid Installation

Deploying a fixed wireless internet service involves the straightforward process of installation. It generally needs mounting an antenna or receiver on the exterior of the building, which is accomplished instantly without any comprehensive technical expertise.

Alternatively, the wired connections demand intricate wiring and configurations involving trained technicians and specialized equipment. The ease of the fixed wireless installations notably reduces the time needed to connect the customers, enabling rapid deployment across urban and rural areas.

Agile Infrastructure Development

The fixed wireless internet is greatly adaptable and is deployed across various environments; unlike the wired connection that depends on the comprehensive physical infrastructure, fixed wireless uses the existing towers, rooftops, and other high-rise structures to establish network coverage.

Commercial Internet Solution
Commercial Internet Solution

The versatility allows internet service providers like Metro Wireless to instantly expand their networks, mainly in areas where wired infrastructure is complex or cost-prohibitive. The ability to instantly leverage the existing infrastructure offers fixed wireless a competitive edge considering the speed at which it is deployed.

Bridging the Digital Divide

The fast deployment potential of fixed wireless internet access plays a key role in bridging the digital divide. Remote and rural areas are often underserved by the conventional wired connection, which notably benefits fixed wireless technology.

By leveraging wireless signals, the ISPs can extend their broadband access to the areas where laying the physical cables is often impractical or unfeasible economically. Technology starts empowering the communities with enhanced internet connectivity, allowing educational opportunities, access to telehealth services, and economic growth.

Scalability and Flexibility

The fixed wireless networks are flexible and scalable, enabling easy expansion and adaptability. The additional towers or base stations are strategically deployed to extend the coverage without requiring extensive infrastructure upgrades whenever they demand a rise in internet services. 

The scalability can reduce the lead time needed for accommodating the growing customer base making sure that the ISPs meet the ever-evolving connectivity demands instantly and efficiently.

Regulatory Approval and Permitting

Fixed wireless internet deployment often involves fewer regulatory difficulties and permit requirements than wired connections. Installing the antennas or towers generally is less challenging and invasive than digging the trenches and laying out the cables. The streamlined process allows the ISPs to navigate the regulatory landscapes efficiently, reducing delays and pacing up the timeline for deployment.

Rapid Service Provisioning

The fixed wireless internet is the commercial internet solution instantly provisioned once the infrastructure is in order. Fixed wireless networks are often operational in a shorter timeframe, unlike wired connections that require extensive testing and configuration before service activations. The rapid service provisioning allows the ISPs to link to the customers rapidly, reducing wait times and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Cost-Effectiveness

The cost of deploying the fixed wireless internet is comparatively lower than the other wired connections. The lack of an extensive physical infrastructure like fiber optic cables or coax cables can reduce material and labor costs. Furthermore, the simplified installation process needs less skilled technicians, which saves costs.

The cost-effectiveness of fixed wireless technology allows ISPs to allocate resources efficiently, expanding their networks while reaching out to more customers in less time.

Flexibility in Terrain and Geographic Challenges

The fixed wireless internet is specifically beneficial in areas with complex terrain or geographic features hindering the deployment of the wired infrastructure. For instance, mountainous and remote regions can benefit intensely from fixed wireless connections while offering an efficient solution overcoming every physical barrier.

Building connectivity without requiring extensive groundwork allows ISPs to instantly offer internet access to geographically challenging areas.

Disaster Recovery and Resilience

Fixed wireless internet often demonstrates resilience in natural disasters or any other disruptions. During weather severity or infrastructural damages, wired connections might suffer from prolonged downtime and need comprehensive repairs.

Rapidly Deployed Business Internet
Rapidly Deployed Business Internet

But, fixed wireless networks are often quickly restored by rerouting the signals or deploying the temporary towers, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity across complex situations. The resilience enables the communities to recover faster and maintain key communications in complex times.

Community Collaboration and Partnerships

The fixed wireless internet deployment mainly involves better collaborations and associations with local communities, companies, and businesses. The collaborative approach notably expedites the process of deployment.

Working closely with the community stakeholders and leaders helps the ISPs gain better access to suitable locations for the tower installations, leveraging the existing infrastructure and establishing community support for the projects. The partnerships foster a cooperative environment facilitating rapid deployment, enhancing the overall success of the fixed wireless initiatives.

Agile Technology Upgrades

The fixed wireless technology enables relatively easier upgrades and advancements. The evolving technology can aid ISPs in implementing enhancements in equipment, signal processing, and network management without any extensive disruptions to the existing infrastructure.

The agile technology upgrades can ensure that the deployed fixed wireless networks can help stay at speed with the increasing demand for rapid speed and enhanced performances, further enhancing the longevity and efficiency of the deployment.

Rapid Response to Changing Demographics

The fixed wireless internet offers better flexibility in responding instantly to changing demographics and population shifts. In areas that experience rapid growth or changes in population density, fixed wireless networks are adjusted quickly to accommodate the evolving demands for fast business internet services.

Adapting to the network's coverage area without any major infrastructure overhauls enables the ISPs to efficiently address the connectivity needs of the expanding urban centers and shift across the rural communities.

Bridge-to-Fiber Solutions

The fixed wireless internet services as the bridge-to-fiber solution offering connectivity to underserved areas while the plans for the long-term fiber optic deployments are underway. Establishing fixed wireless networks can help ISPs offer reliable internet access to communities waiting for extensive wired infrastructure installations.

It is the interim solution enabling immediate connectivity, paving the path for future fiber optic connections whenever available.

Conclusion

The rapid deployment of the fixed wireless internet makes it the most promising solution for ever-expanding broadband access to urban and rural areas. The simplified installation, terrain flexibility, community collaborations, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to adapt to technological advancements aid fixed wireless networks in demonstrating the efficacy of bridging the digital divide and fostering massive internet connectivity.

The rapid advancement in technology in the deployment of fixed wireless internet access plays a significant role in ensuring equitable access to high-speed internet.

In the age of digitalization, accessing fast and reliable internet is more essential than ever. You can stay connected and informed and unlock endless possibilities with the fixed wireless internet. Metro Wireless has the expertise and equipment to help you get started with the fixed wireless connection. Connect with us to know more!

Tyler Hoffman

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