With the advent of wireless technology, fixed wireless access (FWA) has become popular for providing high-speed, high-capacity connectivity to fixed locations. Fixed wireless access is a type of 4G LTE or 5G service that provides area-wide coverage and access to multimedia services. Businesses and homes can use FWA to connect to the internet.
FWA uses radio waves to connect an external antenna on the customer's home with a Point-of-Presence cell tower. The antenna picks up the signal, which is then converted into internet access. The customer gets cost-effective and speedy internet access.
With the advancements in 5G coverage, FWA is also expected to evolve. It will provide ISPs with more efficient technology to replace DSL, cable, and fiber optics. Since FWA provides wireless connectivity with low latency, consumers can use it for applications that require low latency, such as augmented and virtual reality.
Fixed Wireless Access Defined
Fixed wireless access is an alternative to traditional wired broadband access services. It enables users to connect wirelessly to the internet using radio frequency waveforms instead of physical cables or wires.
The technology allows ISPs to supply internet to rural environments and geographical areas where it's expensive to lay down physical cables. It also provides faster speeds and lower latency than traditional wired broadband services. That's because radio frequencies do not have to travel as far and can be more easily manipulated to provide a stable connection.
How FWA Works
Conventional wired networks use telephone lines, coaxial cables, power lines, or fiber-optic cables to transmit data. For example, the modem will be attached to your phone line if you use DSL or telephone lines. The modem gets internet data via copper wires.
Thus, the internet speed and connection reliability depend on the proximity of the phone company's facility. The quality of the phone lines will also determine how well your internet works.
Unlike traditional wired broadband connections, fixed wireless access works through radio waves. The three main components of this network are:
- Base station
- Subscriber units
- Fixed network
The base station is the element that transmits the wireless signals from an access point to the subscriber units. This unit is housed in a tower and provides coverage for a particular area.
Subscriber units are individual wireless receivers placed on a rooftop or exterior wall of the subscriber's house or building. Consumers buy these units to connect to the base station. Meanwhile, the fixed network is a wired connection that connects the subscriber unit to an internal router.
The lack of cables makes fixed wireless access networks the best solution for "digital deserts." A digital desert is a geographical area with little to no internet access. The lack of access may be due to the following:
- Poor infrastructure
- Prohibitive costs
- Remote location
- Difficulty in laying fiber optics or other power lines
With fixed wireless access, consumers no longer have to worry about living in a digital desert. All you need is an antenna on your property.
The Benefits of Fixed Wireless Technology
Wireless connectivity has many benefits since it depends on radio signals rather than cables. Here are some benefits of fixed wireless access.
Ultra-High Broadband Speeds
Fast internet speeds have become a necessity in today's times. Fixed wireless access provides fast internet speeds, considering radio waves travel faster than wires.
Plus, the speed merely depends on the proximity of the base station. The integrity and quality of the wires do not affect the speed. Unlike traditional wired connections, where a malfunction or break in the wire can disrupt the connection, fixed wireless access does not face such problems. However, obstructions like trees and buildings can weaken the signal.
Cost-Effectiveness
Fixed wireless internet access is more cost-effective than wired networks. For one, there's no additional cost of installing or laying the wires. Plus, the provider does not have to spend money on maintaining extra cables and infrastructure or dealing with energy expenditures.
FWA also requires less investment for expansion. Traditional networks lose return on investments outside the urban centers with fewer homes per fiber kilometer. On the contrary, a fixed wireless access network can be deployed in a wide range of areas without much extra expense.
Wide Coverage Area
Wireless connectivity is undoubtedly the future. The further evolution of FWA will make it possible to extend coverage areas and provide seamless connectivity over large areas. With FWA, service providers can deploy networks with minimal upfront investment. It can help address three current pain points:
- Lack of broadband connectivity in rural areas
- Inaccessibility of digital deserts
- Lack of connectivity in remote locations
FWA can bridge these gaps by providing broadband connectivity over broad areas. It can also be used on sites for concerts, festivals, and other events that require temporary connectivity. Consequently, it will open up opportunities for businesses and individuals in areas with limited access to the internet.
Operators can also use the same network to provide multiple services, such as mobile broadband, FWA, and the Internet of Things. For example, the main towers built for mobile networks can also be used for fixed wireless access.
Low-Latency Connectivity
Latency is the measure of delay that occurs for a signal to go from Point A to Point B. The higher the latency, the longer it takes for the signal to travel and the slower the internet.
FWA ranks higher than wired connections on the latency spectrum. It has less than one millisecond of end-to-end latency compared to 1.6 milliseconds of fiber optics. Thus, it has more capacity for streaming services and gaming applications.
Plus, FWA is uncontended. It means multiple users are not sharing the bandwidth at the same time, as they would be with fiber optic networks. So, you'll get the same high-speed performance even during peak hours.
For Equipment That Supports High-Power FWA, Choose Novotech
The best way to get FWA in your home is to purchase a cellular router. These devices route wireless communications and can be used as primary or secondary connections in a home or business.
Novotech has a wide selection of cellular routers and gateways from companies like Sierra Wireless, Perle, CalAmp, and Digi. Check out our collection to find a router and get low-latency wireless service.