What is fixed wireless access? A connectivity guide

Fixed wireless access (FWA) is also referred to as fixed wireless internet. “Fixed” means that the solution is used in fixed locations, such as your offices. It’s an ideal solution for businesses that are outside a fiber footprint (the geographical area where fiber is available). FWA is also great for businesses that do have fiber but need backup internet connectivity in the event their primary service is down. 

If your business is in a rural, suburban, or urban area with no fiber access, how do you get reliable internet? Perhaps you’ve tried digital subscriber line (DSL) or satellite for connectivity, but those options don’t always provide the speed and reliability you need. Fixed wireless access can.

Because FWA is flexible and easy to install, its popularity is surging. In 2023, it accounted for 101% of net broadband adds in the U.S., after capturing 90% of net broadband adds in 2022.¹ The total number of 5G fixed wireless access connections worldwide are predicted to reach 236 million by 2028, up from 19.2 million in 2022.²

Generally, with FWA, a computer or network of computers at the customer’s location uses a radio link to connect to the service provider. This radio link is usually established between rooftop antennas so there can be a direct line of sight between the two antennas. In addition, both the mobile network cellular tower and the device it’s transmitting to are in a fixed location.

A fixed wireless network differs from a traditional broadband wired network in one simple but important fact—there is no wired connection to the location. With FWA, the last part of the broadband connection uses a wireless link.

An FWA network uses three basic components to provide broadband service to a home or business: a tower or pole with a radio mounted on top; radiofrequency spectrum allowing the radio to link to the home or business; and customer premise equipment (CPE) in the business or home that communicates with the radio and provides broadband in or around the location.

Fixed wireless access vs. fiber

Fiber optic internet is a broadband form of internet service made up of a series of tiny optical fibers bundled together. Unlike other types of service that use copper telephone wires or coaxial cables, fiber optic cables transmit data using light instead of electrical pulses. This enables information to move at much faster speeds than cable or DSL—even during peak usage periods. It also means that fiber isn’t vulnerable to electrical outages or downed power lines. And because it’s buried underground, it’s not impacted by weather events.

Although the footprint of fiber is growing, it’s not available in all areas, especially rural locations. Because fiber is laid underground, agreements with cities, municipalities, and other organizations are needed before fiber can be laid. This makes it costly both in process and time.

Fixed wireless access offers a viable broadband alternative to fiber. An FWA router is a simple, self-installed plug-and-play setup that can be installed in minutes. No drilling or wiring is required. The result is that some FWA providers like AT&T can be delivered, in less time, and without speed caps.

Like any technology, FWA has its pros and cons. Advantages such as ease of installation and availability, however, are key reasons why so many businesses (and homes) are choosing it for their internet connectivity. Overall, it can be an excellent choice for enterprises.

Advantages

• Available where fiber is not
• Can be faster and more affordable to install than fiber or cable
• Download speeds comparable to fiber
• Generally more weather-resistant than satellite or DSL
• Lower latency than satellite or mobile broadband
• Accessible anywhere with cellular service
• Secondary connection as a backup during network outages

Disadvantages

• Generally, it requires line of sight. In other words, the area between the cell tower and wireless access point in your fixed location needs to be clear of obstructions such as mountains or buildings. The good news is that some FWA providers have initiated wireless access that does not require line of sight radio connectivity.
• Radiofrequency signal can be affected by heavy storms and extreme hail
• Latency is higher than that of fiber

Fixed wireless access provides internet connectivity where there’s not a fiber footprint. It’s also an ideal backup for your connectivity if your primary fiber service is disrupted. Because it provides internet connectivity in underserved geographic areas, it helps to bridge the digital divide. And since FWA is available where there’s not a fiber option, it’s also attractive in sparsely developed areas as well. The lower cost, speed of deployment, and comparable download speeds to fiber make fixed wireless access an excellent addition to your connectivity infrastructure.

Wireless broadband is a general term for high-speed wireless internet access. The term encompasses both fixed wireless access and mobile broadband. Both use cellular radio signals to provide high-speed internet, but the two are used differently.

[Read: What is wireless broadband (WiBB)?]

While fixed wireless access provides internet to a specific physical location, mobile wireless broadband provides internet on the go for portable devices through a hot spot and a rate plan. With FWA, only devices within your fixed location can connect to the internet. Meanwhile, mobile wireless broadband allows your devices to roam anywhere and have connectivity within the cellular network’s range of service. As your mobile device moves about, it will switch the connection from cell tower to cell tower.

Infrastructure

Fixed wireless access infrastructure consists of a wireless link (for example, radio, microwave, or optical) between a transceiver unit installed on the roof or side of a customer building, and a transceiver unit on the service provider’s cell site.

Mobile wireless broadband infrastructure uses the same technology as cell phones. A mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop establishes a connection with the nearest cell tower using radio waves and starts exchanging data.

Setup and installation

Fixed wireless access is an easy plug-and-play solution with self-setup in minutes. There’s no drilling or wiring required. All you need is a router to distribute the internet to your devices.

Mobile wireless broadband is a quick deployment for an instant internet connection. It only needs a hot spot device to connect to an internet service provider.

Pros and cons

Fixed wireless access and mobile wireless are different in four main respects: portability, latency, bandwidth, and data caps.

When it comes to portability, mobile wireless broadband beats FWA. Mobile devices such as laptops, cell phones, and smartwatches can be used nearly anywhere with a cell signal, but fixed wireless broadband only works at the location where it’s installed.

Regarding latency, FWA has the leg up. Latency refers to how much time it takes for the internet signal to travel. If latency is low, information is sent more quickly. FWA offers a point-to-point connection, which keeps latency low.

Fixed wireless access also offers better bandwidth than mobile wireless. An FWA setup is used only by the people in your business. A mobile wireless network is used by many people who are competing for the same bandwidth.

And finally, FWA triumphs when it comes to data caps, which tend to be higher than those of a mobile wireless plan. Some providers of FWA allow unlimited access with no throttling.

Small and medium-sized businesses that are outside a fiber footprint can use FWA as their primary connectivity option. Enterprises may use it as their “always on” backup for contingency in the event their main connectivity fails. Here are a few examples.

Primary internet connectivity

Who: A small startup company that doesn’t have fiber in their area

Needs: Cost-effective internet with a quick installation process

Solution: FWA provides primary internet connectivity at an affordable, predictable cost. Quick installation time allows the customer to establish internet connectivity in minutes.

Secondary internet connection

Who: A large financial services corporation that has fiber but needs redundancy

Needs: The company is in an area that frequently experiences severe inclement weather. It needs a backup internet connection so it can stay connected during outages.

Solution: FWA powered by 5G serves as an ideal backup connection in the event of an outage or failure. The company can also use this wireless connectivity as an augmented network solution.

Temporary internet access

Who: An independent film studio that changes locations often

Needs: Secure, reliable internet access to support a short-term retail store as a supplemental experience to a movie premiere.

Solution: FWA is quickly deployable, providing fast, reliable internet during the short duration of the movie premiere.

Businesses in suburban or rural areas that don’t have traditional broadband can benefit greatly from FWA. Companies that need to deploy internet quickly will also find it a great choice. Businesses that need high-speed internet for online transactions or cloud services can count on FWA for its reliability and performance.

FWA can have a lower initial deployment cost compared to fiber, a fast time to market, and support from a large and growing vendor and device ecosystem. 

Learn more about our fixed wireless internet solutions on our AT&T Internet Air for Business page. To connect with an expert who knows business, contact your AT&T Business representative.

See how ultra-fast, reliable fiber and 5G connectivity protected by built-in security give you a new level of confidence in the possibilities of your network. Let our experts work with you to solve your challenges and accelerate outcomes. Your business deserves the AT&T Business difference—a new standard for networking.

¹Kristen Beckman, “What’s ahead for Wireless in 2024? Industry leaders weigh in,” Wireless Infrastructure Association, January 8, 2024, https://wia.org/whats-ahead-for-wireless-in-2024-industry-leaders-weigh-in/

²Petroc Taylor, “Fixed wireless access (FWA) connections worldwide from 2020 to 2028 (in millions), by technology, Statista, July 19, 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198812/fwa-connections-by-tech