Fixed Wireless Access: The Rural Internet Hero

Jill McCain

19 Dec 2024 — 1 min read

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is stepping up to deliver high-speed internet where it's needed most: rural areas. Here’s how it works and why it’s a game-changer.

How FWA Works

FWA uses a small antenna installed on your house to wirelessly connect to a nearby tower. This tower is directly connected to the fiber internet backbone in your area, allowing high-speed data transfer directly to your home. No underground cables or phone lines are needed, making FWA a quick and cost-effective solution for areas where laying fiber is impractical.

Where FWA Shines: Rural Areas

Direct Backbone Connection: Because FWA connects directly to the fiber internet backbone in your market, it offers speeds comparable to or faster than cable. This connection results in high reliability and low latency, which means smoother video calls, higher-quality streaming, quicker downloads, and an overall better online experience.
A Clear Advantage Over Satellite: Unlike satellite internet, which relies on signals traveling thousands of miles to orbiting satellites (in the case of Starlink, roughly 350+ miles above Earth, or HughesNet at ~22,000 miles above the Earth), FWA connects you to nearby towers just a few miles away. This proximity results in lower latency and a more reliable connection, especially during adverse weather conditions. Imagine how much more time and energy it takes to send a signal 350 miles vs. 1 or 2 miles?

Technological Advances

Today’s FWA technology can rival traditional wired services, reaching speeds that make it an excellent option not just for rural homes but also for remote work, online learning, and 4K streaming.

FWA is connecting communities that other internet technologies have left behind, bringing reliable, high-speed internet to places that need it most.

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