Mobile Broadband vs. Fixed Wireless Explained

While the speed and reliability of fiber optic cable make it an overwhelming favorite for broadband solutions, the expense and required disruption often make it prohibitive to lay cable, particularly in rural and densely populated urban areas. In contrast, mobile broadband and fixed wireless access can provide broadband to these areas without fiber’s inherent disadvantages.

Mobile broadband uses cellular networks, like 4G LTE and 5G, to provide Internet access on the go. Fixed wireless, on the other hand, uses dedicated fixed wireless technology by setting up a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connection between the user's premises and a nearby base station. The table below illustrates the differences between mobile broadband vs. fixed wireless.

Mobile Broadband vs. Fixed Wireless Access
Aspect	Mobile Broadband	Fixed Wireless
Infrastructure	Cellular network	Point-to-point or point-to-multipoint wireless network
Mobility	Supports mobility	Primarily stationary
Coverage	Broad	Localized
Speed and Capacity	Varies depending on network congestion	Higher, more consistent speeds
Typical Users	Smartphone users, travelers	Homes and businesses in underserved areas
Deployment	Widespread deployment in urban and suburban areas	Deployed where fiber infrastructure is lacking
Signal Strength	Dependent on proximity to cell towers	Dependent on line-of-sight to base stations
Bandwidth	Shared bandwidth among users	Bandwidth dedicated to premises
Reliability	Susceptible to network congestion and signal variability	More stable connections with fewer signal interferences
Scalability	Limited scalability due to network congestion and spectrum limitations	Scalable infrastructure with potential for expansion

Mobile Broadband vs. Fixed Wireless: Pros and Cons

Mobile broadband and fixed wireless access are both viable options for residents and businesses. Each solution, however, has its own strengths and weaknesses. A fixed wireless connection is more reliable than mobile broadband at a fixed location, but mobile broadband is more flexible. Depending on user requirements, one or the other might be a better fit. Below, we’ve compiled a comparison table of mobile broadband and fixed wireless access based on differing user expectations.

Mobile Broadband vs Fixed Wireless: Pros and Cons
User	Mobile Broadband	Fixed Wireless
Residential	Pros: Mobility, easy setup, widespread coverage Cons: Data caps, network congestion, signal variability	Pros: Reliable speeds, potentially higher bandwidth, consistent connection Cons: Limited coverage, potential interference, line-of-sight issues
Business	Pros: Flexibility, rapid deployment, backup connectivity Cons: Reliability concerns, scalability limitations	Pros: Dedicated bandwidth, lower latency, customizable solutions Cons: Higher costs, limited coverage options
Rural	Pros: Broad coverage, connectivity in remote areas Cons: Limited speeds, network congestion, signal quality issues	Pros: Bridging the digital divide, scalable infrastructure Cons: Limited availability, terrain challenges, initial infrastructure costs
Emergency Responders	Pros: Rapid deployment, temporary connectivity Cons: Congestion during emergencies, limited capacity	Pros: Reliable backup, resilient during disasters Cons: Limited coverage in remote disaster areas, susceptibility to weather conditions

Tarana Wireless Eliminates FWA Cons with Technology

The good news is that Tarana Wireless offers next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) using technology to address the cons listed in the table above. Its G1 Platform delivers fiber speeds at scale, even in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions. Equipped with unprecedented interference cancellation, the G1 platform maintains high performance for both licensed and unlicensed spectrum frequencies.

The benefits of the G1 Platform include:

CBRS (3 GHz) or unlicensed (5 GHz, 6 GHz)
Up to 1.6 Gbps aggregate capacity per link*
Up to 3.2 Gbps capacity per sector
Up to 12.8 Gbps capacity per cell (4 base notes [BNs])*
Up to 250 clients per sector
Up to 1000 clients per cell (4 BNs, 250 remote notes per BN)
Works in NLOS conditions
Cancels interference
Fiber-class speeds and reliability at a fraction of the time and cost to deploy
* In x2 (4-carrier mode) available for the 6 GHz product model

As a trusted Tarana distributor, MBSI WAV can help you find the best ngFWA products to address your deployment requirements and challenges. MBSI WAV maintains the largest and most consistent stocking position in the wireless networking market and provides world-class support to accelerate deployments while reducing headaches.

Contact the networking experts at MBSI WAV for help selecting a suitable fixed wireless access platform to meet your unique requirements and any deployment challenges.

Learn more About Tarana Wireless

Learn more about Next Generation Fixed Wireless Access (ngFWA)

Digital Connectivity in Rural and Remote Areas

This post discusses the challenges involved in expanding digital connectivity in rural and remote areas before describing the technological solutions that can help bridge the digital divide.

View Details

Point-to-Multipoint Communication

In this guide, the wireless networking experts at MBSI WAV discuss how PMP fixed wireless broadband works, the advantages of point-to-multipoint FWA for both providers and subscribers, and the best PMP FWA solutions to help you achieve these benefits.

View Details

Broadband Network Gateway Architecture

Broadband network gateways can be deployed in networks in various ways, depending on factors such as network performance, scalability requirements, and the service provider’s specific needs.

View Details

Get a Quote