With the right wireless network infrastructure, your team can get internet access almost anywhere. But what is wireless internet exactly?

Learn:

• What wireless internet really means (and why it’s more than “just no cables”)
• How the signal actually gets from a tower to devices
• A breakdown of today’s wireless internet types (and when to use each)
• Why wireless internet and Wi-Fi aren’t the same thing
• Fixed wireless internet explained: What it is, how it works, and what you’ll need
• The real-world perks of fixed wireless internet (speed, deployment, reach)
• Potential trade-offs you should know before committing to fixed wireless
• FAQs about fixed wireless internet
• How Meter delivers wireless internet without the usual friction

What is wireless internet?

Wireless internet gives you internet access without running a cable to your device. It uses radio waves—also called RF signals—to move data through the air from a nearby source, like a cell tower, satellite, or rooftop antenna.

Instead of fiber or coax running to your building, the signal travels wirelessly. That signal still comes from an internet service provider (ISP), but you connect to it without digging or drilling. Common types include mobile broadband, satellite, and fixed wireless.

At Meter, we often use wireless internet when fiber isn’t available or takes too long to install. It’s fast to deploy, works well in hard-to-reach areas, and skips the whole mess of trenching a new line.

Some of the key features of wireless internet include:

• Laptops, tablets, and phones can tap into the network without being locked to a cable.
• There’s no trenching, no drilling, and no tangled ethernet cords.
• It provides accessibility in areas where wired connections are impractical (e.g. rural zones).

What’s the difference between the internet and Wi-Fi?

The internet is the actual connection to the outside world—Wi-Fi just spreads it around your space. Think of the internet as the pipe and Wi-Fi as the faucet. One brings it in, the other lets your devices use it.

How does wireless internet work?

Wireless internet sends data through the air using radio frequency (RF) signals. Instead of running over copper or fiber, the connection travels between antennas and devices.

The full setup depends on the type—mobile broadband, satellite, or fixed wireless—but the basic idea stays the same.

Transmitter

The transmitter sends out RF signals carrying internet data. This could be a cell tower, a rooftop antenna, or a satellite in orbit. It connects to the internet through a wired backbone and beams data out to a coverage area.

Receiver

The receiver picks up the signal. For mobile broadband, that’s a phone or hotspot. For fixed wireless, it’s usually a dish or antenna mounted on your building. The receiver grabs the signal and passes it along to a modem or router.

Modem/router

This device takes the RF signal and translates it into usable internet traffic. It assigns IP addresses, manages your local network, and routes packets to and from the internet. Some setups use a combined modem-router, and others keep them separate.

Here's what actually happens during a connection:

1. You click a link or open an app.
2. Your device sends a request through the modem/router to the receiver.
3. The receiver sends it wirelessly to the nearest transmitter.
4. The transmitter pushes it to your ISP’s wired network and out to the internet.
5. The response (like a website or video) travels back the same way—through the transmitter, wirelessly to your receiver, and then to your device.

It’s a two-way trip, and all of it happens in milliseconds—unless you’re on satellite, where the signal takes a 22,000-mile detour to space.

Types of wireless internet connections

Not all wireless internet works the same way. Some use cell towers. Others rely on satellites or rooftop antennas. The right setup depends on where you're located, how many people need access, and what kind of speed or reliability you’re after.

Mobile broadband

Mobile broadband taps into the same cell towers your phone uses. It runs on LTE or 5G and connects phones, tablets, hotspots, or routers to the internet without needing a wired connection. If you’ve ever turned on a mobile hotspot at a coffee shop, that’s mobile broadband in action. It’s great for teams on the go and remote sites that need fast deployment.

Advantages:

• High mobility for remote teams
• Often fast in metro areas
• Simple hardware setup

Of course, there are some considerations to be had. Mobile broadband depends a lot on tower coverage. Speeds can drop if too many people are using the network at once. Plus, many plans come with data limits or throttling after you hit a cap.

Satellite internet

Satellite internet beams your signal to space. A dish at your location sends and receives data from satellites in orbit—usually geostationary or, more recently, low-Earth orbit (LEO). It doesn’t matter if you’re downtown or in the middle of nowhere. If the sky’s clear and you’ve got a dish, you’re online.

Advantages

• Works almost anywhere on Earth
• Good for areas with no wired alternatives

Sadly, it’s not the fastest option. Latency is high—especially for geostationary satellites—so video calls or gaming can feel laggy. Install costs are also higher than other types, and weather can mess with signal quality.

Fixed wireless internet

Fixed wireless skips the trenching and connects two fixed points using RF signals. Usually, there’s a tower with a base station and an antenna mounted on your building. The two exchange data over the air. It’s often used to reach buildings that fiber hasn’t touched yet—or to get a new office online while waiting for construction.

Advantages

• No digging or trenching required
• Can match cable or fiber speeds
• Strong option for rural or suburban areas

Fixed wireless isn’t magic, though. You need a clear line of sight between your antenna and the tower. Trees, buildings, or even heavy rain can interfere. And in some cities, spectrum limits or building density can make it tough to deploy.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi isn’t actually a type of wireless internet—it’s what happens after the internet arrives at your building. In most office setups, that means using an enterprise Wi-Fi system to keep every device connected and online.

Your modem or router sends out RF signals that let nearby devices connect without wires. It’s how your laptop talks to the internet once the hard part—getting internet into the building—is done.

Advantages

• Easy device access indoors
• No mobile data use
• Good for large office floor plans

But Wi-Fi has limits. The signal doesn’t go far, and walls or metal can weaken it. Roaming between access points can be inconsistent too. (We’ve written more on why Wi-Fi roaming is challenging.)

Wireless vs. Wi-Fi: Understanding the differences

Wireless internet gets your building online without a wired connection. Wi-Fi spreads that connection inside your building. It works through a local router or access point that wirelessly connects phones, laptops, and other devices.

Here’s a chart comparing the differences in the features of wireless internet vs. Wi-Fi:

At Meter, we treat these as two separate layers. Wireless internet brings the signal in. Wi-Fi moves it around once it’s there. Now, if you're wondering why the signal works in one spot but not the next room over—it’s probably a Wi-Fi issue, not your internet provider.

An in-depth look at what fixed wireless internet is

Fixed wireless delivers wireless internet using antennas that send data between two fixed points—usually a nearby base station and a rooftop receiver. It’s a solid option for places that can’t easily get fiber or cable, like newly built offices, remote sites, or areas with limited infrastructure.

How it works

A base station antenna—often on a tower or tall building—beams an RF signal to your receiver. That receiver is usually installed on the roof or side of your building and pointed directly at the base station.

The receiver connects to indoor equipment, like a modem or router. From there, your network devices get access through ethernet or Wi-Fi. Everything depends on having a clear line of sight between the antennas. Trees, buildings, or hills can block the signal.

Equipment

To get a fixed wireless connection set up, you’ll need:

• An outdoor antenna or radio
• Mounting gear (brackets, poles, etc.)
• A modem/router combo inside
• A backup power supply (often required in commercial setups)

In some cases, there's also a power-over-ethernet (PoE) injector or a surge protector in the mix, especially for outdoor antennas. Meter handles all of this as part of our fully managed install, so teams don’t have to piece it together themselves.

Advantages of fixed wireless internet

Fixed wireless gives you high-speed internet without waiting for cable or fiber to show up. It’s fast to deploy, easy to scale, and reliable in areas where wired options are delayed, limited, or nonexistent. Here’s where it really stands out.

Rapid deployment

You don’t need permits, trenching, or construction crews. Once line-of-sight is confirmed, installations usually take a few days. That makes it a strong pick for new locations, fast-moving teams, or temporary setups that still need fast internet.

High speeds

Fixed wireless isn’t stuck in the slow lane. In many markets, it delivers download speeds on par with fiber. Meter’s fixed wireless service often reaches up to 1 Gbps, with consistent performance during peak hours.

What is the typical speed of fixed wireless internet?

Most business-grade setups offer download speeds between 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps. Uploads vary by provider and conditions, but 100–500 Mbps is common in optimized installs.

Now then, where are we getting these numbers?

The speeds in question ultimately depend on the connection:

• A licensed spectrum fixed wireless can reach up to 1 Gbps or more, both downstream and upstream.
• Unlicensed spectrum systems may top out around 300–600 Mbps, depending on interference and distance.
• A 5G fixed wireless connection can offer 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps in ideal conditions.
• Point-to-point (PtP) enterprise-grade links using microwave or millimeter waves can reliably deliver gigabit speeds, especially for short- to medium-distance links with line of sight.

Keep in mind that line of sight and weather can influence performance, but well-placed systems hold up better than you’d expect.

Potential drawbacks of fixed wireless internet

Fixed wireless is fast, flexible, and easy to deploy—but like any internet option, it has trade-offs. Most issues boil down to physics: signal strength, interference, and what’s sitting between your antenna and the nearest tower.

Line-of-sight requirements

Fixed wireless works best when your antenna can see the tower. Literally. Tall buildings, trees, or even rooftop HVAC systems can block or reflect the signal.

Some newer radios can handle non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions using beamforming or repeaters, but performance still drops when the path isn’t clear.

Weather sensitivity

Heavy rain, snow, or dense fog can weaken signal strength. While it’s usually a short-term dip—think slower speeds or brief packet loss—it can be disruptive for latency-sensitive work like video calls or cloud-based collaboration.

Limited availability

Fixed wireless isn’t everywhere. In some cities, the spectrum is limited, or too many tall buildings make tower placement tricky. In other cases, providers may only offer it in select zones or as a backup option.

We always recommend checking local availability before you commit. (At Meter, we map line-of-sight feasibility and performance during our site survey.)

Frequently asked questions

How does fixed wireless internet differ from satellite internet?

Satellites send signals to space. Fixed wireless uses nearby antennas with much lower latency.

Is fixed wireless internet suitable for online gaming?

Yes, in many cases. Latency is much lower than satellite, especially with local base stations.

Can I use Wi-Fi with fixed wireless internet?

Yes, the fixed wireless signal connects to a modem/router that broadcasts Wi-Fi.

What equipment is needed for fixed wireless internet?

A receiver antenna, mount, modem/router, and stable power source. Meter installs and manages all of it.

Does weather affect fixed wireless internet performance?

Yes, rain and snow can interfere with the signal, especially over longer distances.

Is fixed wireless internet secure?

When a network configuration including modern encryption and firewalls, it’s as secure as most wired connections.

Discover how Meter’s wireless internet solutions transform your connectivity

If you’ve ever wondered what wireless internet is without the chaos of managing it—Meter has you covered. Our fully managed, vertically integrated network makes wireless internet work like it should. It’s a form of network as a service, where Meter delivers the infrastructure, management, and support without relying on your in-house team.

Key features of Meter Network include:

1. Vertically integrated: Meter-built access points, switches, and security appliances work together to create a cohesive, stress-free network management experience.
2. Managed Experience: Meter provides user support and done-with-you network management to reduce the burden on in-house networking teams.
3. Hassle-free installation: Simply provide a floor plan, and Meter’s team will plan, install, and maintain your network.
4. Software: Use Meter’s purpose-built dashboard for deep visibility and granular control of your network, or create custom dashboards with a prompt using Meter Command.
5. OpEx pricing: Instead of investing upfront in equipment, Meter charges a simple monthly subscription fee based on your square footage. When it’s time to upgrade your network, Meter provides complimentary new equipment and installation.
6. Easy migration and expansion: As you grow, Meter will expand your network with new hardware or entirely relocate your network to a new location free of charge.

To learn more, schedule a demo with Meter.