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What is Fixed Wireless Access?

Fixed Wireless Access

Many business owners in the UK have been advised to switch their internet connection over to fixed wireless (also known as fixed wireless access), but what is it? How does it work and why are so many companies choosing it over a leased line?

In this article we are going to look at exactly what fixed wireless can do for your business and go over some of the most frequently asked questions.

What is Fixed Wireless Access?

Fixed wireless access is an “Ultrafast” internet connection that’s delivered through high frequency radio waves using PTP/PTMP technology. It is the connection of choice for businesses who would be negatively affected by downtime (which is more common on a fibre network), or those who are not willing to spend thousands of pounds on the excess construction charges to get fibre installed. The best way to describe a fixed wireless access connection is “fibre without the cables”.

How does fixed wireless Internet work?

Fixed wireless Internet uses point to point technology to transmit the internet from one location to another. It is very similar to a fibre connection, but uses high frequency radio waves instead of fibre cables – giving you the same level of security, encryption, Ultrafast speeds and low-latency (without the cables, long lead times or ECC’s)!

Is fixed wireless Internet reliable?

Yes, fixed wireless internet is incredibly reliable – offering uptimes exceeding 99.99%, which is higher than almost every fibre internet connection in the UK! And because the connection is delivered through the air via a point-to-point link, it is not affected by fires, floods, roadworks or other natural disasters that have left companies who rely on a fibre leased line without a connection for a number of months. Faults that occur on a fixed wireless connection are typically faster to repair too, as there are no construction works or digging up roads necessary. It’s also incredibly low latency, making it ideal for VoIP, CCTV, gaming, video calls and more!fixed wireless Internet

Is fixed wireless Internet good?

Fixed wireless internet is considered the “gold standard” internet connection by many businesses in the UK. It offers all the benefits of a leased line without the expensive installation costs, long lead times or dependency on physical ground based cables. The only real problem business owners face when trying to get a fixed wireless connection is the lack of availability in the area. To find out if fixed wireless internet is available in your location click here.

Does weather affect fixed wireless Internet?

This depends on the fixed wireless provider you choose, as many of the cheaper services will not install the adaptive modulation or adverse weather resistant links required for a truly weather-resistant connection. Our fixed wireless access at APC Solutions is fully weather resistant and will not be interrupted during thunderstorms, heavy rain, flooding, snow or anything else – and we have thousands of happy customers to prove it!

Does fixed wireless need line of sight?

Fixed wireless can work at much higher speeds and capacity when line of sight is present, with some equipment and frequencies Line of Sight is essential to make it a viable solution.  Some equipment will work in near and none line of sight conditions, it all depends on the hardware and technology used.

Can fixed wireless go through trees?

Lower frequency fixed wireless solutions can penetrate trees more efficiently than higher frequency solutions.  A commonly used 5Ghz solution has reasonable tree penetration when used with a short range link while a 3.5Ghz solution has much better tree penetration. fixed wireless solutions can penetrate trees

How fast is fixed wireless?

Fixed wireless internet speeds range from 100Mbps to 10Gbps for both upload and download speeds (depending on your requirements and location). This makes fixed wireless internet faster than fibre for many businesses across the UK. To find out the exact speeds you can expect at your premises, fill out the form here.

How is fixed wireless internet installed?

The fixed wireless installation process is quick, simple and often only takes 14 days from start to finish! The fixed wireless provider will install a “receiver” on your premises that will link to the nearest “transmitter” of wireless internet – this is known as PTP (or point to point wireless). Your receiver will then be connected to multiple “access points” located throughout your building to provide full Wi-Fi coverage and ensure there are no “Wi-Fi dead zones”.fixed wireless internet installation

Who offers fixed wireless Internet?

If you are a homeowner that’s looking for fixed wireless broadband in Essex, our subsidiary company Essex WiFi covers most of the county. For business grade fixed wireless access, our team at APC Solutions covers most of the UK. To find out if we’re able to get fixed wireless internet to your businesses premises click here.

Can you game on fixed wireless Internet?

Yes, fixed wireless broadband is ideal for gamers who need a low latency connection that won’t lag and ruin the gameplay. It is also classified as “Ultra-fast” and often gives gamers a much faster internet connection than they could get through any ground-based fibre.

What is the difference between WiFi and fixed wireless?

Fixed wireless is an internet connection that is used to get Ultrafast internet into a premises, whereas Wi-Fi refers to the technology that is used to connect wireless devices to an internet connection.

Is fixed wireless better than DSL?

Fixed wireless is a much more flexible technology, it can have symmetrical speeds, so your download speeds are the same as your upload speeds, this is not possible with DSL.  DSL is commonly delivered over copper wires and if you’re not close enough to the termination box your performance will be severely degraded, while fixed wireless technology has its own challenges around line of sight, you can often get a much better connection and higher speeds using fixed wireless.

Is fixed wireless better than satellite?

Yes fixed wireless internet is better than a satellite connection in almost every instance imaginable. Satellite connections have a much slower upload/download speed and have far higher latency. To put this in perspective – the maximum speed available for the average satellite internet connection is around 30Mbps, whereas fixed wireless internet speeds can go all the way up to 10Gbps! Satellite connections are also adversely affected by the poor weather conditions, whereas a properly set up fixed wireless connection is not. You are also able to get an uncontended connection when using fixed wireless, whereas a satellite connection must be shared with other users.

Is fixed wireless better than fibre?

Yes fixed wireless is the better option for most businesses in the UK due to the fact that they do the exact same job as a fibre connection, without the expensive installation costs (Excess Construction Charges), dependency on physical cables that easily break but take months to fix, or the long installation times (of around 3 months).leased line installation

Can I Get Fixed Wireless Internet?

To find out if you can get fixed wireless internet access at your location, use our free coverage checker above or contact us now on 03331 500 140.

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Is Fixed Wireless Available For Your Business?

Find out if fixed wireless is available for your business free by clicking on the button below and entering your postcode and business details.

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A Few Questions To Help

Thank you for your enquiry, we look forward to speaking with you very soon.

To help us deal with your enquiry quickly and efficiently please could you take a few minutes to answer the following questions.

To help you provide your answers please read the following notes

If it is an Internet connection you require, the property where the service will be installed must have a UK postcode

If you require services for a residential property, please be aware that we only provide residential grade wireless Internet services in the Essex area.

We do however provide business-grade services in residential properties across the UK. Please be advised the cost to provide this service exceeds the standard monthly costs for domestic internet connection and a suitable business level budget is required.

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Thank you for your enquiry, we are sorry we were not able to help at this time.

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