Fixed Wireless Internet Providers

What Is Fixed Wireless Internet?

Fixed wireless internet uses stationary wireless access points to “beam” connectivity directly to consumer households. While it doesn’t use a physical wire like fiber or cable, it can achieve similar download speeds ranging from 3 Mbps to 1 Gbps.

Who Offers Fixed Wireless Internet?

Currently, there are 1,769 fixed wireless providers in the U.S., with nationwide coverage of more than 50 percent.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet uses the newest form of fixed wireless technology through its 5G network, now capable of delivering internet service in residents’ homes. It’s available in over 8,000 cities and covers more than 300 million American households.

Ultra Home Internet

Sharing T-Mobile 5G Home Internet’s network, Ultra Home Internet is another fixed wireless provider with the same availability and coverage. The only difference is Ultra Home Internet separates its plans by soft data caps rather than download speeds.

Rise Broadband Fixed Wireless

Rise Broadband is the third largest fixed wireless provider in the U.S., servicing 48 states and 3,715 zip codes nationwide. Known as an alternative to cable internet, Rise Broadband has the most coverage in Texas, Illinois, and Colorado, with its fastest speeds being offered in Illinois.

King Street Fixed Wireless

Following Rise Broadband is King Street Wireless, which currently services 24 states. King Street Wireless’s coverage is mostly in concentrated pockets spread across the U.S., with the greatest coverage being in Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana.

Nextlink Fixed Wireless

Nextlink is the fifth largest fixed wireless internet provider in the U.S. and the largest fixed wireless internet provider in the Midwest. An estimated 6.9 million people in Texas, Nebraska, and Omaha have access to Nextlink internet.

Pros and Cons of Fixed Wireless Internet

Fixed Wireless Internet Providers in the U.S.

Fixed wireless providers are often significantly smaller than larger cable and DSL companies. They are commonly started by local residents who are frustrated by slow speeds or limited service in their area.

In many cases, local fixed wireless broadband providers will lease a fiber line from a larger provider and essentially resell service over their own last-mile infrastructure.

The main challenge for getting fixed wireless service is that the customer has to have line-of-sight with the tower or roof that is broadcasting connectivity nearest to them. This means customers will need to have roof access or be close enough to get it through a window.

For more information on the technical specs of fixed wireless internet, see our breakdown of fixed wireless internet service.

Is Fixed Wireless the Best Type of Rural Internet?

Fixed wireless, DSL, and satellite offer the widest coverage in the U.S. Their broad availability and technology are able to connect rural areas with high-speed internet service.

Fixed Wireless vs Satellite Internet

Despite using different technologies, fixed wireless and satellite internet share some similarities. For example, both types of internet require line-of-sight and could be affected by weather conditions.

Fixed wireless internet does offer higher speeds and lower latency, but it could be more expensive than satellite plans. Choosing between the two often comes down to availability, price, and desired speeds.

Fixed Wireless vs DSL Internet

Fixed wireless internet speeds are comparable to DSL with speeds averaging between 5-50 Mbps. That said, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is upping that range with its 5G network, now available for residential homes. While DSL doesn’t require line-of-sight like fixed wireless does, optimum service requires customers to be relatively close to the provider’s offices. With that said, DSL does tend to be cheaper than fixed wireless. Speed and price are the main deciding factors when these two options are available.