Fixed wireless broadband for businesses has two main forms. The first, found primarily in downtown areas of major cities, uses licensed microwave services. While this method offers high bandwidth, it has a limited coverage area of a few thousand feet and requires a clear line of sight. The second approach utilizes existing 3G cellular broadband networks to provide wider coverage, comparable to a T1 line’s bandwidth, wherever there’s a cell phone signal. This method is particularly beneficial for rural areas, temporary businesses, and small companies needing quick broadband access.

Accel Networks is a leading provider of 3G fixed wireless solutions in the United States and Canada. Their success stems from partnerships with multiple wireless carriers and the development of user-friendly, plug-and-play hardware. Their pre-programmed equipment automatically connects to the strongest carrier signal available at your location, while their Maestro antenna system ensures a reliable connection. With a simple serial or Ethernet connection, businesses can be operational within three days of placing an order.

Their service provides a static or dynamic IP address on a secure, private Layer 2 connection. Average download speeds reach 1 Mbps, with upload speeds around 512 Kbps. A service agreement guarantees 99.9% uptime, and coverage extends to 99% of all retail locations across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Recognizing the demand for greater bandwidth, fixed wireless companies are transitioning from 3G to 4G technology. Accel Networks has introduced its 4G service with a specialized antenna and modem, aiming to deliver download speeds up to 6 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 Mbps, with latency below 100 milliseconds.

The industry-wide shift from 3G to 4G is projected to finish within the next two years. However, the timeline for 4G fixed wireless broadband installation varies depending on location.

The transition from 3G to 4G involves various competing technologies. LTE (Long Term Evolution), a GSM technology, appears poised to become the industry standard, prompting even CDMA carriers like Verizon to switch. In the meantime, carriers are implementing interim upgrades to their existing infrastructure to enhance bandwidth. This approach is driven by the high cost of replacing circuit cards in numerous cell towers to accommodate new technologies. These evolutionary upgrades often require only software updates to existing hardware. T-Mobile exemplifies this strategy, upgrading from HSPA to HSPA+ before the full-scale deployment of LTE.

Another factor influencing high-speed cellular deployment is backhaul – the link between cell towers and central switching equipment. Traditionally, T1 lines, offering 1.5 Mbps upload and download speeds, have been used for cellular backhaul due to their reliability and broad availability wherever telephone lines are present. Bandwidth can be increased by combining multiple T1 lines, reaching up to 12 Mbps. Beyond that, microwave backhaul or fiber optic connections become necessary.

Fiber optic, when feasible, is the preferred solution for its virtually limitless bandwidth and one-time construction cost. However, the sheer number of cell tower sites requiring fiber optic upgrades, coupled with the cost and time involved in installation, particularly in remote areas, presents a significant challenge. Despite these hurdles, the profitability of cellular broadband ensures continued investment until widespread implementation is achieved.

Fixed wireless offers an attractive pricing model for businesses considering either 3G or 4G fixed wireless broadband solutions. Evaluate pricing and availability to see if fixed wireless could replace your existing landline connections.