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What is fixed wireless internet?

Nicci Jackson • Dec 01, 2020

What is Fixed Wireless Internet?

Fixed wireless internet is an alternative to the more traditional types of internet such as a cable to your front door (like the one that comes through your phoneline).

This means that an internet connection can be sent to homes or other properties that ordinarily may not have access to  high speed broadband via traditional providers.

When you are connected to a fixed wireless internet service, the provider will install a receiver on your property. This will receive the internet from a nearby mast that is transmitting an internet connection via a radio signal to the surrounding area.

See if fixed wireless is in your area

Why do you need fixed wireless internet?


  • Sending the internet wirelessly, as opposed to a physical cable in the ground, has the benefit of needing less infrastructure work and less disturbance to the local community. Once the mast has been built, it is able to send an internet connection to any property within an 8 mile radius that has a clear line of sight. It means that the ground doesn’t need to be dug up for installation or maintenance.
  • There are no data caps, when you connect to the internet via other wireless means (i.e via a mobile phone provider) there tends to be data caps which is why people have a separate system for their home. Like traditional internet connections, fixed wireless doesn’t have a data cap.



See if you can get fixed wireless

Is satellite internet the same as fixed wireless internet?


Satellite and fixed wireless internet are often confused with each other.


Satellite internet comes from the earth, is sent up into space to a satellite and then beamed back down to earth to the property that is connecting to the internet.

Fixed wireless internet never leaves the atmosphere, in fact the average mast is around 8-10m tall. This is a MUCH shorter journey than the 23,000 mile one-way trip to a satellite.


A shorter journey means that it gets there quicker.


So instead of every interaction having to make a 23,000 mile journey to a satellite in space, then a 23,000 mile journey to the data centre on earth (and back again) it needs to make an 8mile (max) journey to the mast and then from the mast to the data centre and back…


Weather can affect a satellite connection MUCH more than it can affect a fixed wireless connection. Weather can affect a fixed wireless connection but boundless networks factor this into the signal that we send to the property to account for this.


There aren’t many storms that happen within 20m of the ground. But the internet has to get through the earth’s atmosphere before it reaches a satellite – not counting all the storms that happen in between.


Important points to note


  • In summary fixed wireless internet is a great option for people who want more out of their broadband than a traditional provider can offer.
  • It allows a rural property to connect to an unlimited service that is as reliable as (if not more than) a traditional connection.
  • It provides faster (and more reliable) speeds than satellite.



Overall it’s a pretty great option – if we do say so ourselves


If you want more out of your internet, click below to see if we cover your area:

Can I get fixed wireless internet?
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