Wireless Internet Built For Rural Communities
Everything you need to know about Fixed Wireless Internet from Upward Broadband
- Fixed wireless internet delivers broadband over the air — no cables, no trenching — using a tower-to-receiver setup backed by high-speed fiber. Upward Broadband is capable of speeds up to 1 Gig with 99.9% engineered uptime, making it a practical primary connection for rural homes and businesses.
- Fixed wireless outperforms satellite and often rivals cable for rural areas, with low latency, minimal weather impact, and same- or next-day local support. Unlike fiber or cable, it requires no long installation timelines and can reach locations that traditional infrastructure simply cannot.
- Getting connected requires just two pieces of equipment: an outdoor receiver and a modem/router. All installed by a local Upward Broadband technician in a single visit.
- Upward Broadband is built differently than national providers. There are no contracts, no hidden fees, and no call center runaround. As a locally owned provider, Upward Broadband’s team lives and works in the communities it serves, meaning support is faster, more personal, and more accountable than what most rural residents have come to expect from big internet providers.
What is Fixed Wireless Internet?
Fixed wireless internet, also called Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), is broadband delivered over the air from a nearby access point (often a tower) to a fixed receiver installed at your home, farm, or business. Unlike mobile wireless, it’s designed to be your primary internet connection with consistent performance for streaming, work-from-home, and everyday use.
Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) provide fixed wireless internet service, which is different from the wireless internet used by mobile phones. It’s a high-speed, reliable internet service for rural, served, and underserved areas. Internet is sent from the main access point (typically supplied with high-speed fiber-optic lines) to individual receivers installed at businesses, farms, and homes.
In the simplest terms, a WISP broadcasts internet from one access point to multiple fixed locations. As a result, users experience speeds comparable to or greater than most cable providers, and surpass the speeds available from DSL and Satellite.
No trenching, running on poles… completely wireless connection to your home or business. The technology is continually improving. Currently capable of speeds up to 1 Gig non-line of site (NLOS). As improvements are made, we are able to make upgrades faster than if there was a physical cable connecting to each home.
Tip: You might also hear this described as fixed broadband internet, because it’s broadband service delivered to a fixed location (your address), not on-the-go like a phone plan.
Pros
- Fast, reliable
- Low latency
- Low weather impact
- Quick deployment for rural areas
- Local support
- Engineered to have 99.9% uptime
Cons
- External receiver needed
- Must be within 12 miles of an Upward tower
- Availability depends on tower locations, terrain, and other factors
How Does Fixed Wireless Internet Work?
We provide Fixed Wireless Internet by using a wireless network to broadcast our internet signals from an access point to your fixed location. Our main access points are backed by high-speed fiber connections, and transmitters send signals to receivers installed at your property.
How It Works (Step-by-Step)
Fiber Backhaul
High-speed fiber connects to the tower/access point — the “source” of the internet.
Tower Transmits
The tower transmits a wireless signal directly to your location.
Receiver Captures
A receiver installed at your property captures the signal.
You’re Connected
Your modem/router distributes internet throughout your home via Wi-Fi or ethernet.
And how is it different from other services?
| Feature | Upward Broadband (Fixed Wireless) | Satellite | Cable | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built for Rural Areas | Purpose-Built | Yes | Often Limited | Limited Availability |
| Latency (Delay) | Low | High | Low | Very Low |
| Weather Impact | Minimal | Can Disrupt | Minimal | Minimal |
| Install Timeline | Days to weeks | Days to weeks | Days to weeks | Weeks to months |
| Customer Support | Local, Real People | National Call Centers | Large Providers | Large Providers |
| Typical Issue Resolution Time | Same or Next Day | Days | Days to Weeks | Weeks to Months |
What Equipment is Needed?
Outdoor Receiver
Installed at your property, this receiver captures the wireless signal from our nearest tower.
Modem/Router
Connects with your receiver and then distributes the internet throughout your home or business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does fixed wireless internet work?
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) delivers high-speed broadband straight through the air from a nearby tower to a receiver at your home, farm, or business.
How does fixed wireless internet compare to cable, fiber, satellite, and 5G home internet?
Fixed wireless delivers internet via radio signals from a nearby tower, no cables needed, making it a great option where wired service is not available. Here is how it compares:
Fiber is the fastest and most reliable option with low latency, but it is not available everywhere. Cable offers strong speeds and wide availability in suburbs and cities, though upload speeds tend to be slower. 5G Home Internet is similar to fixed wireless and can offer excellent speeds, but performance varies by location. Satellite reaches the most remote areas, newer LEO services like Starlink have improved speeds and latency significantly, though latency and weather are still an issue. Fixed wireless hits a sweet spot for rural and suburban customers, easy to set up, no infrastructure required, and increasingly competitive speeds and prices, typically from a local provider.
Is fixed wireless internet reliable?
Yes. Upward Broadband’s network is engineered for 99.9% uptime. And because your connection comes from radio waves instead of buried cables, no one can accidentally cut your access with a severed wire, making fixed wireless worthy of your trust.
Is fixed wireless internet fast enough for streaming, gaming, and working from home?
Yes. With speeds up to 1 Gbps and low latency, you can handle 4K streaming, video calls, large file uploads, and online gaming without interruption.
Does weather affect fixed wireless internet?
Fixed wireless is generally resilient to snow, ice, fog, and humidity with minimal impact to your service. In rare cases, severe high winds can knock an antenna out of alignment. If that happens, we will send a technician to realign it at no cost to you.
Are there contracts or data caps with fixed wireless internet?
No. All of Upward Broadband’s high-speed internet plans come with unlimited data and no contracts.