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Fixed Wireless Internet in the USA

Written by
Dec 7, 2023

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Provider Types

Providers Offering Fixed Wireless Service

We've found 1740 providers offering Fixed Wireless service in the US. Below are stats on their coverage and speeds.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet 324,330,407 50 100 mbps
Always ON 324,330,407 50 100 mbps
EarthLink 5G Home Internet 120,511,416 50 25 mbps
Verizon 5G 42,977,871 34 1000 mbps
Rise Broadband 15,976,600 18 250 mbps
Starry Internet 10,805,885 9 1000 mbps
Nextlink Internet 7,494,802 7 500 mbps
Etheric Networks 6,406,845 1 400 mbps
Agile Networks 5,718,264 1 1000 mbps
UnWired Broadband 4,481,835 1 100 mbps
Florida High Speed Internet 4,087,171 1 100 mbps
TWN Communications 3,815,035 5 15 mbps
Unwired Ltd 3,477,377 1 70 mbps
RapidSystems 3,463,335 1 25 mbps
Cal.net 3,427,463 1 100 mbps
Ranch Wireless 3,294,333 1 25 mbps
Neptuno Networks 3,054,969 1 100 mbps
Phoenix Internet 2,940,508 1 200 mbps
WATCH Communications 2,883,763 4 100 mbps
AeroNet 2,804,743 2 100 mbps
Nextera Communications 2,799,180 2 1000 mbps
DM Wireless, LLC 2,725,377 1 100 mbps
Wisper ISP 2,510,471 7 400 mbps
lv.net 2,327,213 3 1000 mbps
OSNET Wireless 2,271,696 1 30 mbps
VTX Communications 2,262,965 1 25 mbps
Lynx Communications 1,967,675 1 200 mbps
WilloWeb 1,952,634 1 1000 mbps
AT&T 1,946,010 18 10 mbps
Mercury Broadband 1,925,017 5 150 mbps
ERF Wireless 1,815,907 1 0.768 mbps
Point Broadband 1,775,119 8 100 mbps
Packet Layer 1,773,320 2 1000 mbps
Bug Tussel Wireless 1,735,496 4 50 mbps
Choice Broadband (Arizona) 1,620,041 7 25 mbps
Open Broadband 1,615,935 3 1000 mbps
Hoosier Broadband 1,608,106 1 0.768 mbps
BeamSpeed 1,571,808 10 30 mbps
XAirNet 1,567,505 1 75 mbps
KwiKom Communications 1,534,831 4 40 mbps
Utah Broadband 1,492,234 1 1000 mbps
LTD Broadband 1,480,440 8 250 mbps
Resound Networks 1,461,432 3 1000 mbps
Southwestern Wireless 1,453,317 2 10 mbps
Skynet Communications (Texas) 1,426,266 1 25 mbps
Triad Wireless 1,411,039 1 1000 mbps
Bertram Internet 1,375,184 2 100 mbps
Ethoplex 1,301,301 1 100 mbps
Rock Solid Internet & Telephone 1,279,768 1 10 mbps
Nasircle Networks 1,270,348 1 100 mbps
DigitalPath 1,214,922 2 1000 mbps
Succeed.Net 1,207,117 1 100 mbps
Sinlar Broadband 1,191,083 1 3 mbps
InNet Connections 1,155,919 1 50 mbps
Bluespan 1,127,573 2 1000 mbps
Cosotnet 1,102,298 1 10 mbps
San Diego Broadband 1,045,277 1 250 mbps
Rocky Ridge Wireless 1,042,846 1 50 mbps
Argon Technologies 1,031,005 1 1.5 mbps
Hunter Communications 1,018,304 1 30 mbps
IP Solutions 1,014,859 1 75 mbps
RedZone Wireless 1,004,250 1 50 mbps
Simply Bits 989,361 1 1000 mbps
LiveWire Networks 981,216 1 250 mbps
Aerux Broadband 947,333 1 100 mbps
Viaero Wireless 934,972 4 25 mbps
Skyrunner 934,930 2 25 mbps
Webatron Internet Solutions 917,100 2 100 mbps
NMSURF.COM 893,273 1 1000 mbps
Natural GC 892,548 1 100 mbps
Suncoast Broadband 884,237 1 50 mbps
Bresco Broadband 881,416 1 50 mbps
Ayera Technologies, Inc. 877,353 1 120 mbps
Lobo Internet 864,115 1 60 mbps
Carolina West Wireless 828,405 1 25 mbps
VTel Wireless 827,754 3 25 mbps
Velociter Wireless 819,129 1 10 mbps
Alyrica Networks, Inc. 801,209 1 100 mbps
All Points Broadband 799,581 4 25 mbps
NYSYS airAccess 796,110 1 100 mbps
Twin Wireless 791,368 1 100 mbps
Applied Technology Group 790,933 1 35 mbps
E-Vergent Wireless 755,315 2 60 mbps
123NET 744,168 1 1000 mbps
Connext 735,956 1 10 mbps
White Cloud Communications 734,411 2 200 mbps
BridgeMAXX Wireless 733,340 5 50 mbps
AIR-PIPE 732,371 2 30 mbps
Intelligent Computing Solutions 731,690 1 20 mbps
RazzoLink 724,101 1 100 mbps
WiFi Services Caribbean 715,944 1 100 mbps
Sail Internet 679,805 1 300 mbps
The Junction Internet 675,069 3 30 mbps
Anthem Broadband 664,086 3 100 mbps
PocketiNet Communications 626,803 2 300 mbps
Frontier Broadband 620,197 13 45 mbps
SenaWave 618,572 1 1000 mbps
Peak Internet CO 608,093 1 10 mbps
Bloosurf 599,753 3 100 mbps
Western Iowa Wireless 594,083 2 100 mbps

Terrestrial Fixed Wireless Internet In the United States

46%
46% Fixed Wireless COVERAGE

For a full list of providers offering fixed wireless internet service, visit the fixed wireless provider page where we list every provider in the US and the communities they serve.

Fixed Wireless Performance

As with all types of broadband services, speeds and plans of fixed wireless service vary from provider to provider.

In general, residential fixed wireless plans are comparable to DSL or cable in terms of speeds offered — in the neighborhood of 5–50 Mbps.

Business-class fixed wireless plans are often much faster, with leading companies offering 500 Mbps symmetrical plans that rival dedicated fiber in terms of reliability, security, and speed of installation.

While these speeds aren’t astounding they can be an incredibly appealing option, especially as an alternative to satellite service. Fixed Wireless is often available in areas with a low concentration of wired options due to the flexible nature of fixed wireless deployment.

Should You Get Fixed Wireless Internet Service?

For consumers who have relied on old dial-up connections, or satellite for their internet connections, the introduction of fixed wireless broadband into their area can be a game changer. If you live in a rural area and have few options for internet access, then fixed wireless can be a great choice.

Benefits

For consumers who have few other options besides satellite fixed wireless can be a great alternative.

Large Coverage Area

One of the most appealing benefits of fixed wireless broadband is its broad consumer availability.

Because service providers aren’t required to invest heavily in new cable and infrastructure, offering service to larger areas is often more cost effective.

Relatively Low Latency

One of the key benefits of fixed wireless broadband over other rural technologies is its relatively low latency making online gaming and video conferencing programs such as Skype feasible.

Limitations

Line of Sight

One of the biggest limitations of fixed wireless internet is that in most implementations the antenna at the consumer’s premises and the ground station of the provider must have a direct line of sight.

This can be problematic in different types of terrain and it also makes fixed wireless connections subject to different weather conditions.

Security Considerations

Encryption and authentication are the key considerations for network engineers implimenting fixed wireless service. While the security concerns for a wireless service are somewhat different from a wired one, the protocols for encrypting and authenticating connections are generaly equally secure between the two technology types.

Average Higher Residential Cost

Depending on your service area, residential fixed wireless is often slightly more expensive for the speed you receive. However, it’s often worth considering since fixed wireless providers tend to be smaller than “big cable” corporations and have local customer support and are usually faster to fix any outages or issues.

Rain Fade

Like any wireless service, severe storms can cause a slight reduction in download and upload speeds called “rain fade.”

What fixed wireless looks like

Fixed wireless broadband is a method of delivering Internet connection to consumers over the airwaves.

Similar to DSL and cable Internet, fixed wireless is a “last mile” technology that bridges the relatively short gap between the mainstream Internet “backbone” and consumer residences. 

Fixed wireless is a “last mile” technology that bridges the relatively short gap between the mainstream Internet “backbone” and consumer residences.

While DSL and cable bridge this gap using wired phone and television connections, fixed wireless accomplishes the same outcome by broadcasting the connection via radio waves from an access point (usually mounted on a tower) to reception dishes at consumer residences.

Simplified fixed wireless

Misconceptions about fixed wireless

Fixed wireless is not satellite

Fixed wireless is not satellite

While fixed wireless broadcasts from terrestrial towers, satellite Internet broadcasts from earth orbit. Satellite’s “bird’s eye view” translates to wide coverage, but the extra distance creates higher latency.

Fixed wireless is not Wi-Fi

Fixed wireless is not mobile

Mobile coverage operates like a giant Wi-Fi bubble — coverage is broadcast from towers, and any device within range can connect. Fixed wireless operates more like an invisible wire connecting two locations — coverage is broadcast from towers in a straight line to a specific customer.

Fixed wireless is not Wi-Fi

Fixed wireless is not Wi-Fi

Fixed wireless provides a direct point-to-point connection, requiring line-of-sight between the access point and reception device. Unlike Wi-Fi, fixed wireless cannot pass through or around minor barriers.

Why is it called "fixed"?

Internet Backbone

When implemented properly, fixed wireless can deliver gigabit connection speeds rivaling fiber connections. 

Magic? Hardly. The technology that makes fixed wireless effective is surprisingly simple: directional broadcasting.

The Technology: How it works

Because customer locations are stationary, fixed wireless connections can be focussed — think of how a magnifying glass channels light — making the “beam” much stronger than an omnidirectional broadcast such as AM/FM radio.

Wireless Technology: How it works

Directional connections on the lower end of the radio spectrum can rival DSL and cable. Broadcasting over higher-frequency microwave and EHF (Extremely high frequency) bands boosts the signal strength even more, achieving gigabit speeds comparable to fiber when properly implemented.

It’s not just small-time Internet providers that are excited about fixed wireless. Access to EHF frequencies has led big companies like Google and Facebook to invest in developing their own fixed wireless technologies and networks. 

Ambitious startups like Starry Internet plan to actively compete with major ISPs using fixed wireless technology.

The Configuration: Connection types

  • Point-to-point: Point-to-point fixed wireless configurations connect two locations exclusively, like a bridge. Most often used for the connection between access points on a tower and the Internet “backbone,” or to connect two buildings that need to share their network. 
  • Point-to-multipoint: Point-to-multipoint fixed wireless configurations connect a set number of locations from a single access point. Most often used to bridge the gap between a tower and customer residences.
Wireless Connnection types

The Challenge: Spectrum shortage

Crowded spectrum

Like any wireless technology, fixed wireless is deployed over airwaves. This creates challenges because it has to share those airwaves with every other wireless technology.

Between radio, Wi-Fi, military communications, mobile data, talk & text, satellite broadcasts, baby monitors, microwaves, ham radios, and hundreds of other devices, spectrum is crowded — so much so that most frequencies require licenses to use. 

Fixed wireless technology can broadcast data across most of the radio and microwave spectrums  , so the frequency of a connection varies from implementation to implementation based on what is available.

Available frequency

Many WISPs (wireless internet service providers) in rural areas broadcast on unlicensed bands (think of them as “cowboy bands”), at the risk of interference from other devices. In urban areas signal congestion from competing broadcasts (3G, 4G, etc.) makes free bandwidth difficult to find. It is only recently that technological advances have circumnavigated this problem by opening up high frequency microwave bands.

If the FCC and private companies are able to coordinate themselves to share the spectrum, fixed wireless will likely become a major challenger to wired technologies like fiber, cable, and DSL. 

Pros & Cons

pros


  • Fast and affordable to install
  • Flexible for rural coverage
  • Low latency
  • Generates competition for ISPs

cons


  • Line-of-sight requirement
  • Higher average cost
  • Spectrum shortage
  • Wireless security concerns

Largest Fixed Wireless Providers

  1. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
    100.17% Coverage
    > 100.17
  2. Always ON
    100.17% Coverage
    > 100.17
  3. Verizon Business
    41.52% Coverage
    > 41.52
  4. EarthLink 5G Home Internet
    37.22% Coverage
    > 37.22
  5. Verizon 5G Home Internet
    13.27% Coverage
    > 13.27
  6. GeoLinks
    10.25% Coverage
    > 10.25
  7. MHO Networks
    6.16% Coverage
    > 6.16

States with the most Fixed Wireless coverage

  1. Nevada
    99.1% Coverage
    99.1
  2. Puerto Rico
    99.0% Coverage
    99.0
  3. Utah
    98.8% Coverage
    98.8
  4. Maine
    98.8% Coverage
    98.8
  5. Ohio
    98.7% Coverage
    98.7
  6. Idaho
    98.6% Coverage
    98.6
  7. Minnesota
    98.6% Coverage
    98.6

Fixed Wireless Providers: Availability by State

Alabama 4,897,165 97.5% 23 Fixed Wireless Providers
Alaska 378,283 51.6% 16 Fixed Wireless Providers
Arizona 7,002,751 97.9% 43 Fixed Wireless Providers
Arkansas 2,952,197 98.0% 30 Fixed Wireless Providers
California 38,921,427 98.4% 110 Fixed Wireless Providers
Colorado 5,685,376 98.5% 61 Fixed Wireless Providers
Connecticut 3,546,807 98.4% 5 Fixed Wireless Providers
Delaware 975,000 98.5% 5 Fixed Wireless Providers
District of Columbia 664,032 96.3% 9 Fixed Wireless Providers
Florida 21,204,345 98.5% 35 Fixed Wireless Providers
Georgia 10,476,246 97.8% 27 Fixed Wireless Providers
Hawaii 1,365,190 93.8% 5 Fixed Wireless Providers
Idaho 1,814,094 98.6% 42 Fixed Wireless Providers
Illinois 12,615,195 98.5% 68 Fixed Wireless Providers
Indiana 6,685,102 98.5% 56 Fixed Wireless Providers
Iowa 3,143,152 98.5% 84 Fixed Wireless Providers
Kansas 2,872,071 97.8% 47 Fixed Wireless Providers
Kentucky 4,388,684 97.4% 25 Fixed Wireless Providers
Louisiana 4,555,286 97.8% 22 Fixed Wireless Providers
Maine 1,345,330 98.8% 12 Fixed Wireless Providers
Maryland 6,079,624 98.4% 22 Fixed Wireless Providers
Massachusetts 6,869,635 97.7% 14 Fixed Wireless Providers
Michigan 9,895,939 98.2% 47 Fixed Wireless Providers
Minnesota 5,627,174 98.6% 53 Fixed Wireless Providers
Mississippi 2,877,475 97.2% 14 Fixed Wireless Providers
Missouri 6,042,278 98.2% 73 Fixed Wireless Providers
Montana 1,038,254 95.8% 30 Fixed Wireless Providers
Nebraska 1,932,670 98.5% 44 Fixed Wireless Providers
Nevada 3,075,431 99.1% 29 Fixed Wireless Providers
New Hampshire 1,352,733 98.2% 8 Fixed Wireless Providers
New Jersey 9,150,588 98.5% 6 Fixed Wireless Providers
New Mexico 2,041,503 96.4% 38 Fixed Wireless Providers
New York 19,823,486 98.1% 24 Fixed Wireless Providers
North Carolina 10,231,644 98.0% 27 Fixed Wireless Providers
North Dakota 706,093 90.6% 16 Fixed Wireless Providers
Ohio 11,646,055 98.7% 61 Fixed Wireless Providers
Oklahoma 3,871,059 97.8% 50 Fixed Wireless Providers
Oregon 4,169,036 98.4% 44 Fixed Wireless Providers
Pennsylvania 12,769,952 98.2% 32 Fixed Wireless Providers
Rhode Island 1,067,640 97.3% 3 Fixed Wireless Providers
South Carolina 5,031,924 98.3% 10 Fixed Wireless Providers
South Dakota 832,758 93.9% 28 Fixed Wireless Providers
Tennessee 6,778,152 98.1% 25 Fixed Wireless Providers
Texas 28,670,433 98.4% 140 Fixed Wireless Providers
Utah 3,231,375 98.8% 38 Fixed Wireless Providers
Vermont 626,357 97.4% 11 Fixed Wireless Providers
Virginia 8,406,114 97.4% 27 Fixed Wireless Providers
Washington 7,577,373 98.3% 49 Fixed Wireless Providers
West Virginia 1,727,707 96.3% 23 Fixed Wireless Providers
Wisconsin 5,801,776 98.4% 41 Fixed Wireless Providers
Wyoming 561,103 97.3% 23 Fixed Wireless Providers

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