What is a Fixed Wireless Internet?

Fixed wireless Internet is a type of Internet connection that uses radio waves in specific frequency bands to transmit data between a fixed point, such as a base station, and a fixed location, like a home or office. It is designed to provide Internet access to where traditional wired connections are not available or feasible.

Dissecting Fixed Wireless Internet?

In the 1990s, fixed wireless internet was created as a means of providing internet access to rural and remote areas. It makes use of wireless technologies, such as microwave or radio frequencies, to transmit data between fixed transmitters and receivers that are installed on towers or buildings. The fixed nature of this wireless technology ensures that the transmission is sent and received from a specific location.

Depending on the provider and location, licensed or unlicensed spectrum frequencies may be used for fixed wireless internet. Licensed frequencies require a permit from the FCC or other regulatory bodies, and these frequencies are generally reserved for larger providers. In contrast, unlicensed frequencies can be used by anyone without a permit, and it allows for smaller providers to offer their services. As a result, this wireless technology has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional wired connections, especially in areas where laying cables would be prohibitively expensive or impractical.

Components of Fixed Wireless Internet

Fixed wireless Internet has distinct requirements and components that set it apart from other Internet technologies. The key elements needed to function are:

• Radio wave transmission: Data is transmitted between a base station and a user's location using radio waves in specific frequency bands, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, licensed bands (e.g., 3.5 GHz, 11 GHz, 18 GHz, 24 GHz), and millimeter-wave bands (e.g., 60 GHz, 70 GHz, 80 GHz).
• Base stations and access points: Strategically placed, these devices are equipped with sector antennas, omnidirectional antennas, or beamforming antennas to communicate with customer premises equipment (CPE) efficiently. They are connected to the Internet backbone to provide high-speed data services.
• Customer premises equipment (CPE): Users need specialized equipment, such as outdoor antennas (e.g., Yagi, parabolic dish, or panel antennas), and radios or transceivers with integrated or external antennas to establish a wireless connection with the base station or access point.
• Modulation and coding schemes: Advanced modulation schemes like Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) are used, combined with forward error correction techniques like Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) or Turbo codes, to enable efficient and reliable data transmission.
• Multiple access techniques: Networks employ techniques such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) to allow simultaneous communication between the base station and multiple CPEs.
• Point-to-point (PtP) and point-to-multipoint (PtMP) configurations: This technology can be deployed in various configurations, such as PtP for dedicated high-speed links or PtMP for connecting multiple CPEs to a single base station, providing flexibility based on user requirements and network topology.
• Line of sight (LOS) and near-line-of-sight (nLOS) connections: Optimal performance often requires a clear line of sight between CPE and base station, particularly in higher frequency bands. However, some systems may support nLOS connections using signal reflection, diffraction, or scattering techniques to overcome obstacles.
• Adaptive modulation and coding (AMC): To maintain signal quality and optimize throughput, systems may dynamically adjust modulation and coding schemes based on current link conditions, such as signal strength, noise, and interference.

How Fixed Wireless Internet Works

Fixed wireless Internet is a method of delivering high-speed broadband connectivity to locations without the need for traditional connections, such as fiber optic or copper cables. The process relies on the transmission of radio signals. 

1. Data request: When a user on a device, such as a computer or smartphone, requests data by visiting a website or streaming a video, the request is sent from the device to the customer premises equipment (CPE) via a wired (e.g., Ethernet) or wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi) connection.
2. Uplink transmission: The CPE, which has a radio and antenna, converts the data request into radio signals. These signals are modulated using techniques like quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) or orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) to encode the digital information. The CPE then transmits these signals towards the base station using the allocated frequency band.
3. Base station reception: The base station, which also has a radio and antenna, receives the radio signals transmitted by the CPE. It demodulates the signals to decode the digital information, converting it back into the original data request.
4. Data routing: The base station is connected to the Internet backbone, typically through a wired connection like fiber optic cables. The data request is sent through the Internet's vast network of routers and servers to locate and retrieve the requested information.
5. Downlink transmission: Once the requested data is retrieved, it is sent back to the base station. The base station then modulates the data into radio signals using techniques like QAM or OFDM, and transmits these signals back to the CPE using the same frequency band.
6. CPE reception: The CPE receives the radio signals from the base station, demodulates them to decode the digital information, and converts the signals back into the requested data.
7. Data delivery to user devices: The CPE sends the data to the user's device, either through a wired (e.g., Ethernet) or wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi) connection. The device processes the data, displays the website, plays the video, or executes other requested actions.