Blog

How are Fixed Wireless and Satellite different?

Posted by MHO Networks on Aug 18, 2020 8:26:00 AM

Difference between fixed wireless and satelliteTo many consumers, fixed wireless and satellite Internet are basically the same. Both do away with the need for a cable or wired connection running into your home or business from an ISP, right? While both do eliminate the outside ground infrastructure of cables, this is where the similarity ends.  

How Does Satellite Internet Work? 

A satellite Internet connection requires mounting a dish on your roof or other high nearby location in order to receive data from a geostationary satellite far above the Earth. These commercial satellites receive and transmit data between your base and another ground station that is connected to the Internet. 

Due to the immense distances that data must travel between ground station to satellite and then to your dish (23,000 miles each way), you can expect significant lag time in transmissions. This is known as latency, and it is a boon to satellite Internet. Those requiring fast or constant data transmissions will not be satisfied with Satellite Internet service. 

Weather is another factor that affects satellite Internet. Your data signal travels back and forth through the atmosphere, where it is affected by adverse weather patterns, even in another state. Plus, snow or leaves can accumulate on your dish, blanking out data reception. 

Because of the incredible effort required to send and receive data over a satellite network, many providers enforce data caps with higher prices for those needing higher data levels. Businesses can waste a great deal of money if they need a high and/or constant data flow. Add this to already high prices for satellite Internet service due to the cost of operations and infrastructure. 

Finally, installation typically takes more time than is convenient, and for large companies, may require more than one dish to be mounted, aimed, wired into the system, calibrated, and tested before operations can begin. 

How Does Fixed Wireless Internet Work? 

A fixed wireless Internet connection relies on secure radio waves from a nearby tower to an antenna mounted to your roof or a nearby high location. The signal is beamed directly from one point to another and not bounced through the atmosphere. MHO uses carrier-class, full duplex radios with the latest in point-to-point microwave technology to keep your data signal secure. 

Because your data signal is transmitted directly from point to point through the lower atmosphere (typically no higher than a cell tower), there is virtually no lag time, or latency, to slow your data signal. Compare a signal traveling 23,000 miles one way to about 10 miles, which is the average distance from one fixed wireless tower to a client’s antenna. 

This low atmosphere, direct transmission radio signal is also affected little (if any) by local or distant weather patterns. Radio waves travel through rain, snow, wind, hail, and heat with equal strength. This means no loss of signal due to storms or adverse weather conditions. 

Fixed wireless Internet also offers high, reliable bandwidth with very high or no data caps. You can enjoy equally fast upload and download speeds, which is vital for many businesses that constantly exchange data across an Internet connection. Plus, additional bandwidth can be obtained easily, with the adjustment typically provided the same day. 

Installation may be the best selling point of all. From start to finish, your fixed wireless Internet connection and network can be up and running within 10 business days of obtaining a roof permit allowing the erection of your antenna. MHO makes and keeps that guarantee - no satellite or fiber provider can make that promise. 

MHO High Performance Internet 

MHO High Performance Fixed Wireless Internet Service provides your business with the fastest route to the Internet. Your secure connection is part of our owned and operated fully-meshed Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) core network with multiple Internet gateways and peering agreements. 

  • Guaranteed Reliability of 99.99%
  • Low Latency
  • No data caps
  • Scalable Bandwidth 
  • MPLS Core Network 
  • Fast Installation
  • Great Customer Service 

Visit our website to check for availability in your area. Contact us today to explore the possibilities of high-speed, low latency, reliable fixed wireless Internet from MHO.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

Topics: Fixed Wireless, Internet Access, Business Internet, Internet Service Provider (ISP), Dedicated Internet, Point-to-Point Fixed Wireless

Want more MHO?

Follow us on social media!

MHO Linkedin    MHO Twitter    MHO Facebook

We'll keep you up to date on:

  • What's currently happening in the industry.
  • Details on upcoming events. 
  • Informative content that you can share with colleagues!

Subscribe for New Blog Updates!

Recent Posts

Posts by Topic

see all