Fixed Wireless Internet Guide: Providers & Plans

Fixed wireless internet delivers broadband through radio signals transmitted from a tower or antenna to a receiver installed at your home. Unlike mobile wireless, fixed wireless is designed for stationary use with larger, more powerful antennas that deliver more consistent speeds. Fixed wireless comes in several forms: 5G home internet from T-Mobile and Verizon, 4G LTE home internet, and traditional point-to-point wireless from local ISPs (WISPs). Speeds range from 25 Mbps to over 1 Gbps depending on the technology and provider.

Fixed wireless has become a major broadband category thanks to the expansion of 5G networks. T-Mobile's 5G Home Internet and Verizon's 5G Home have enrolled millions of subscribers, offering a viable cable alternative at competitive prices. Local WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers) serve rural communities with point-to-point wireless that can deliver impressive speeds when properly installed. The technology works best with a clear line of sight between the tower and your receiver.

Understanding the Basics

Making informed decisions about internet service requires understanding both the technical and practical aspects of what you are buying. Internet service providers offer a range of technologies, speeds, and pricing structures, each with distinct advantages and trade-offs. The right choice depends on your specific needs, location, and budget.

The internet market in 2026 offers more options than ever before. Fiber optic connections deliver symmetrical gigabit speeds to an expanding number of homes. Cable internet remains the most widely available high-speed option. 5G fixed wireless has emerged as a legitimate broadband alternative. And improvements in satellite technology, led by Starlink, have brought usable broadband to previously unserved areas. Understanding each technology's strengths and limitations helps you make the best decision for your household.

Key Considerations

When evaluating your options, several critical factors determine which service will provide the best experience for your household. Speed requirements are the most obvious consideration, but data caps, latency, upload speeds, and reliability can be equally important depending on your usage patterns.

Speed requirements vary based on household size and activities. A single user needs 50-100 Mbps for comfortable browsing and streaming. Couples and small households benefit from 100-300 Mbps. Families with children and multiple devices should target 300-500 Mbps. Heavy users and large households need 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps. For specific speed recommendations, see our speed selection guide.

Data caps deserve careful attention. Several major cable providers impose caps of 1-1.2 TB per month, with overage charges of $10-15 per 50 GB. Households with heavy streaming habits, especially 4K content, multiple gamers, or home businesses can exceed these caps. Providers without data caps, including Spectrum, AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios, and T-Mobile, eliminate this concern entirely. See our data caps guide for provider-specific details.

Provider Recommendations

Making Your Decision

The best approach is to first check availability at your address using our provider search tool. Then compare the available options based on speed, price, data policies, and contract terms. Consider both your current needs and anticipated future usage. If you work from home, prioritize upload speed and reliability. If you are a gamer, prioritize low latency. If you stream heavily, prioritize bandwidth and unlimited data.

Do not forget to factor in the total cost of ownership. Monthly advertised prices often exclude equipment rental fees ($10-15/month), taxes and regulatory fees ($5-10/month), and post-promotional rate increases. Calculate the true 24-month cost for an accurate comparison. See our budget internet guide for detailed savings strategies.

Technology Deep Dive

Each broadband technology has inherent characteristics that affect performance. Fiber optic connections use light pulses through glass strands, delivering symmetrical speeds with minimal latency and no degradation over distance. Cable internet uses radio frequency signals over coaxial copper cables, offering strong download speeds but limited upload capacity and shared neighborhood bandwidth. 5G fixed wireless uses cellular tower signals, providing good speeds with easy setup but variable performance based on signal conditions. DSL uses copper telephone lines with speed degrading over distance from the exchange.

For a comprehensive comparison of all broadband technologies, see our broadband types guide.

Additional Resources

• Bandwidth 101: Understanding Internet Speed
• Understanding Latency and Ping
• Upload vs Download Speeds
• Equipment Rental vs Buying Guide
• Home Networking Setup Guide
• Affordable Internet Programs

Choosing the Right Plan for Your Situation

The right internet plan depends on several factors unique to your household. Start by evaluating how many people will use the connection simultaneously during peak hours, typically evenings and weekends. Each simultaneous user adds to the bandwidth demand. A single user streaming in HD needs about 8 Mbps, while a household of five with multiple streams, gaming, and video calls may need 300-500 Mbps combined.

Beyond speed, consider the total cost of ownership over a two-year period. The advertised monthly rate is just the starting point. Add equipment rental fees ($10-15/month if you do not own your own modem and router), data cap overage risks ($10-15 per 50 GB if applicable), and post-promotional rate increases that typically add $20-40/month after the first year. A plan advertised at $50/month may actually average $75/month over two years when all costs are factored in.

Contract terms also matter significantly for your flexibility. Month-to-month plans let you switch providers, upgrade, or cancel without penalties. Contract plans may offer lower introductory rates but lock you in for 12-24 months with early termination fees if you leave. For most consumers in 2026, the flexibility of no-contract service outweighs the modest savings of a contract plan. Spectrum, AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios, and T-Mobile all offer competitive no-contract options.

Optimizing Your Internet Experience

Getting the most from your internet connection requires attention to your home network setup, not just your ISP plan. Router placement is the single most impactful factor for Wi-Fi performance. Place your router in a central, elevated location away from walls, microwaves, and other electronic devices. Avoid closets, basements, and corners where signal must travel through multiple walls to reach your devices.

For homes larger than 1,500 square feet, a single router may not provide adequate coverage. Mesh Wi-Fi systems from manufacturers like Google Nest WiFi, Eero, and Netgear Orbi use multiple access points to create seamless whole-home coverage. These systems cost $150-400 but eliminate the dead zones and weak signals that cause frustration in larger homes. For more details, see our home networking guide.

Wired Ethernet connections always outperform Wi-Fi for speed and reliability. For stationary devices like desktop computers, gaming consoles, and smart TVs, running an Ethernet cable from your router provides the fastest and most consistent connection possible. Even with the fastest Wi-Fi 6 router, a wired connection delivers 20-50% better performance due to the elimination of wireless overhead and interference.

Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router allow you to prioritize certain types of traffic over others. If you work from home, you can prioritize video conferencing traffic to ensure clear calls even when other household members are streaming or downloading large files. Most modern routers provide simple QoS interfaces through their mobile apps, making configuration straightforward even for non-technical users.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When your internet is not performing as expected, systematic troubleshooting can identify and resolve most issues without a service call. Start by running a speed test at speedtest.net using a wired Ethernet connection to establish your baseline performance. If wired speeds meet your plan expectations but Wi-Fi is slow, the issue is your wireless setup rather than your ISP connection.

Power cycling your modem and router resolves a surprising number of internet issues. Unplug both devices, wait 30 seconds, plug the modem in first, wait for it to fully connect (usually 2-3 minutes), then plug in the router. This process clears cached errors and re-establishes your connection to the ISP network. Many ISPs recommend this as the first troubleshooting step for any connectivity issue.

If problems persist, check your ISP's outage map or social media accounts for reported service disruptions in your area. Large-scale outages require your provider to restore service, and individual troubleshooting will not resolve them. Knowing whether an outage is affecting your area saves time and frustration. If your area is not experiencing an outage, contact your ISP's technical support with your speed test results and troubleshooting history for faster resolution.

How Fixed Wireless Internet Technology Works

Fixed wireless internet operates by transmitting radio signals between a base station (tower) and a receiver antenna installed at your home or business. Unlike mobile wireless where your device connects while moving, fixed wireless establishes a dedicated point-to-point or point-to-multipoint link between two stationary locations. The base station connects to the internet backbone through fiber optic cables, and your receiver translates the radio signal back into data for your home network.

The technology uses several frequency bands that affect performance characteristics. Licensed spectrum in the 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz (CBRS), and 24-39 GHz (mmWave) bands provides consistent, interference-free performance with speeds up to 1 Gbps. Unlicensed spectrum at 5 GHz and 60 GHz offers lower cost but is susceptible to interference from other wireless devices. Most fixed wireless providers use a combination of licensed and unlicensed spectrum to balance performance and cost. The distance between your home and the tower typically needs to be under 10 miles for reliable service, though some providers using lower frequencies can reach 30+ miles.

Installation involves mounting an outdoor antenna on your roof or exterior wall, pointing it toward the nearest base station. A professional installer uses signal measurement tools to find the optimal antenna position and angle. Inside your home, an Ethernet cable connects the outdoor antenna to a router, which distributes the connection via Wi-Fi and wired ports. The entire installation typically takes 1-2 hours. Some newer fixed wireless systems use self-install kits with indoor receivers that do not require professional installation, though outdoor-mounted antennas generally provide better performance.

Fixed Wireless Providers: Detailed Comparison

National Providers

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is the largest fixed wireless provider, serving customers in all 50 states. While technically using cellular 5G/LTE technology rather than traditional fixed wireless, T-Mobile's home internet product functions identically from the user's perspective. Plans start at $50/month with no data caps and typical speeds of 72-245 Mbps. T-Mobile uses an indoor gateway device that requires no professional installation, making it the easiest fixed wireless option to set up.

Verizon 5G Home offers fixed wireless service in select urban and suburban markets using its 5G network. The standard plan delivers 85-300 Mbps for $60/month, while the Plus plan promises 300-1,000 Mbps for $80/month. Verizon's mmWave 5G network delivers the highest speeds but has limited range and requires near-line-of-sight to a tower. The sub-6 GHz service is more widely available but offers lower speeds. Verizon's advantage is its mmWave network in supported areas, which can rival fiber speeds.

Regional and Rural Providers

Hundreds of regional Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) serve rural communities across the United States. These providers fill a critical gap in areas where cable and fiber have not been deployed. Companies like Rise Broadband (serving 18 states in the Midwest and West), GeoLinks (California and Arizona), and Nextlink Internet (Texas and Illinois) provide fixed wireless service to hundreds of thousands of rural households.

WISPs typically offer plans ranging from 25 Mbps to 100 Mbps at prices between $50 and $100/month. While speeds are lower than urban broadband options, WISPs provide a crucial alternative to satellite internet for rural residents. Many WISPs are also upgrading their networks with CBRS spectrum and newer equipment that enables speeds up to 500 Mbps. The WISP industry association (WISPA) maintains a directory of providers at wispa.org that can help you find local options.

Fixed Wireless vs Other Technologies: When It Makes Sense

Fixed wireless internet occupies a specific niche in the broadband ecosystem. It excels in scenarios where wired infrastructure has not been deployed but cellular coverage exists. Understanding when fixed wireless is the right choice requires comparing it against alternatives available at your address.

Fixed wireless vs cable/fiber: If cable or fiber internet is available at your address, it will almost always provide better performance than fixed wireless. Wired connections deliver more consistent speeds, lower latency, and are not affected by weather or line-of-sight obstructions. Choose fixed wireless over wired alternatives only if the wired options are significantly more expensive or require long-term contracts you want to avoid.

Fixed wireless vs satellite: Fixed wireless is superior to traditional satellite internet (HughesNet, Viasat) in every measurable way: lower latency, faster speeds, no data caps, and lower monthly costs. Compared to Starlink, fixed wireless and LEO satellite are roughly comparable in performance, but fixed wireless typically costs less ($50-70/month vs $120/month for Starlink) and does not require expensive equipment ($0-100 vs $599). Choose Starlink only if fixed wireless coverage does not reach your location.

Fixed wireless vs DSL: Modern fixed wireless generally outperforms DSL, especially if your home is more than 2 miles from the DSL provider's central office. Fixed wireless typically delivers 50-300 Mbps versus DSL's 10-50 Mbps at comparable price points. The exception is VDSL service within 3,000 feet of the central office, which can deliver 100 Mbps reliably and may outperform a congested fixed wireless connection.

Performance Optimization for Fixed Wireless

Getting the best performance from a fixed wireless connection requires attention to antenna placement, environmental factors, and network configuration. The single most important factor is maintaining clear line of sight between your receiver antenna and the provider's tower. Trees, buildings, hills, and even heavy precipitation can obstruct or weaken the signal. If your initial installation provides marginal signal quality, consider a taller antenna mast or an alternative mounting location on your property.

Seasonal foliage changes can affect fixed wireless performance in wooded areas. A connection that works well in winter when trees are bare may degrade in spring and summer as leaves grow and absorb radio signals. If you notice seasonal speed variations, discuss this with your provider. They may be able to adjust your antenna angle, switch to a different frequency that penetrates foliage better, or connect you to a different tower with a clearer path.

Weather affects fixed wireless performance to varying degrees depending on the frequency band. Lower frequencies (2.5-3.5 GHz) are relatively weather-resistant, while higher frequencies (24-39 GHz mmWave) can experience significant attenuation during heavy rain, known as "rain fade." If you live in an area with frequent severe weather and your provider uses mmWave frequencies, expect periodic speed reductions during storms. These disruptions are typically brief and service returns to normal once the weather clears.

On the home network side, connect your most bandwidth-intensive devices (gaming consoles, streaming boxes, desktop computers) via Ethernet cable to the router rather than Wi-Fi. This eliminates one layer of wireless transmission and provides the most consistent experience. For Wi-Fi devices, ensure your router supports Wi-Fi 6 or newer standards and is positioned centrally in your home for optimal coverage.

The Future of Fixed Wireless: CBRS, Wi-Fi 7, and Beyond

Fixed wireless technology is advancing rapidly, driven by new spectrum availability and evolving standards. The CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) band at 3.5 GHz is transforming the WISP industry by providing affordable licensed spectrum that delivers reliable, interference-free performance. Many WISPs are deploying CBRS-based equipment that delivers 200-500 Mbps to customers, a significant upgrade from older unlicensed-band systems.

The convergence of fixed wireless and 5G technology is blurring the lines between traditional WISPs and cellular carriers. As 5G networks expand into rural areas through programs like the FCC's 5G Fund and BEAD allocations, more households will gain access to high-speed wireless broadband. Industry analysts project that fixed wireless (including 5G home internet) will serve 30-40 million US households by 2028, up from approximately 12 million in 2026.

Emerging technologies like Wi-Fi 7 backhaul and point-to-multipoint 60 GHz links promise to push fixed wireless speeds into multi-gigabit territory for last-mile delivery. Combined with growing fiber backbone infrastructure reaching more rural tower sites, the performance gap between fixed wireless and wired broadband is narrowing. For many Americans, fixed wireless will become the primary broadband technology that brings gigabit-class service to their homes.

Fixed Wireless vs. Other Connection Types

Fixed wireless and 5G home internet are increasingly popular alternatives to traditional wired connections. Here is how they compare to other options.

Fixed wireless internet from local WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers) requires a clear line of sight between an antenna on your property and the provider's tower. Performance can vary with weather and distance from the tower. 5G home internet from T-Mobile and Verizon is more weather-resistant and easier to set up but requires strong cellular coverage at your address. Both wireless options are excellent choices where wired infrastructure is unavailable or too expensive to install.

Optimizing Your Wireless Internet

Optimizing wireless internet performance, whether from a fixed wireless provider or 5G home internet, requires different strategies than wired connections. Signal strength is the primary factor in your experience.

For 5G home internet, placement of the gateway device is critical. Place it near a window facing the nearest cell tower. Many 5G gateways have signal strength indicators—use these to find the optimal position. Even a few inches of adjustment can make a significant difference in speed and reliability.

For fixed wireless connections, ensure your outdoor antenna is positioned for the best line of sight to your provider's tower. Trees that grow seasonally can block signals that worked fine in winter. Ask your provider about antenna height requirements and whether a taller mast might improve your connection.

Minimize obstacles between your gateway and connected devices. 5G home internet gateways have built-in Wi-Fi routers, but you can often improve coverage by connecting a dedicated Wi-Fi 6 router or mesh system to the gateway via Ethernet.

Monitor your usage if your wireless plan has deprioritization thresholds. T-Mobile and Verizon 5G home internet plans may experience slower speeds during network congestion after heavy usage. Schedule large downloads during off-peak hours (late night or early morning) to avoid congestion-related slowdowns.