Fiber vs. Fixed Wireless Access

As the world of technology continues to bloom and grow, there seems to be an ongoing dialogue about finding the perfect network solution. For many businesses, there are two main options that must be carefully considered: fiber optic cable and fixed wireless access (FWA). Or consider even using them both for a fail-proof system all around.

While there are quite a few benefits (and a few drawbacks) associated with both, the answer to this question really comes down to what will work best for your business — both today and in the future. 

The Benefits & Drawbacks of Fiber Optics

Fiber optic cable offers a variety of benefits that all boil down to unparalleled reliability. This includes:

→ Increased bandwidth
→ Faster download and upload speeds
→ Stable connections during peak usage
→ Less downtime and outages reported due to electromagnetic interference
→ Upgraded security against cybersecurity risks 

Fiber is also a great investment for organizations that plan to grow and scale their size in the future because it is able to accommodate increased usage and business needs without requiring serious infrastructure upgrades.  

Like all things, there can be potential drawbacks with fiber, depending on your exact business needs. For one, fiber cables are initially the more expensive investment, as laying fiber cables incurs expensive infrastructure and labor costs which can be hard to justify in some rural areas. 

Due to the nature of its installation process, laying fiber can also be a time-consuming task. And, although fiber is widely known for its reliability, it is not totally immune to disruptions from natural disasters and construction incidents. In the end, fiber is one of the most robust options for internet access but must be carefully considered to ensure it is the best option for your business. 

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)

Fixed wireless access (FWA) is known for an array of benefits that include:

→ Quick and seamless initial setup and installation
→ Minimized weather-related disruptions for improved performance and reliability
→ Lower financial investment 
→ Consistent, low latency for an efficient connection
→ Depending on the area, FWAs are more widely utilized (while fiber is unavailable in certain rural spots)

Fixed wireless technology is continually working to improve its performance to compete with fiber optics, but it will not be able to truly match these networks because the existing and potential bandwidth of fiber will always be thousands of times greater than what wireless has to offer. This, paired with its intrinsic capacity limitations will always limit how many users can be on a network depending on the amount of spectrum being utilized. 

Fixed wireless access must also face its limitations with line-of-sight obstructions such as dense urban cities full of buildings and heavily wooded rural areas. 

Selecting the Right Network Access for Your Business

When it comes to determining which is better, fiber or FWA, the answer isn’t black and white. In the end, the right option is something only you and your business can decide upon. It’s important to consider all of the benefits and drawbacks that come with each solution, but the decision on what will work best is ultimately up to you. In a perfect world, your business could leverage a hybrid approach where you utilize both fiber optics and fixed wireless for absolute connectivity. 

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We’ll discuss how t3lePosition and t3lePath can assist you in pinpointing exact locations, developing future revenue plans, and advocating for future business growth. Register to save your spot, today!