What is fixed wireless access, and is it as good as a cable?
Fixed wireless access (FWA) delivers broadband to a building over a radio link rather than a wire — typically from a mobile network's 4G or 5G masts to a receiver in your home.
Why it exists. Digging up streets to lay fibre is enormously expensive, and the cost per property rises sharply in rural areas. A radio link reuses infrastructure that already exists, so service can be provided in weeks rather than years, and to properties that would never justify a trench.
How it works. A router or external antenna connects to a nearby mast on licensed spectrum. Higher frequency bands carry more capacity but travel shorter distances and penetrate buildings poorly; lower bands reach further with less capacity.
What it does well:
Speed can be high — 5G FWA regularly delivers figures comparable to or better than copper-based broadband, and sometimes better than entry-level fibre.
Installation is fast and frequently self-install.
No line rental or physical connection required.
Portable variants exist for temporary sites.
What it does less well:
Variable performance. Throughput depends on distance to the mast, obstructions, weather at higher frequencies, and — most importantly — how many other people are using that cell. A wired connection's capacity is shared too, but a radio cell's is shared more visibly and varies through the day.
Latency is typically higher than fibre and less consistent, which matters for gaming and video calls more than for streaming.
Upload is usually much lower than download.
CGNAT is common, so inbound connections and port forwarding generally do not work.
Data policies. Many plans are unlimited but subject to fair use or deprioritisation during congestion.
An external antenna makes a large difference where signal is marginal, and window placement matters more than people expect.
Other forms of fixed wireless: independent wireless ISPs using point-to-point links to reach rural communities, frequently community-owned; and point-to-point microwave links used for business backhaul.
The realistic assessment: an excellent option where fibre is unavailable, a reasonable one where only slow copper exists, and generally second choice where full fibre can be had.