Fixed wireless internet providers

Best fixed wireless internet providers

Fixed internet provider comparison

Compare top fixed wireless providers by price and speed. T-Mobile and Verizon offer some of the best 5G home internet service, while Rise Broadband offers one of the cheapest plans.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of 01/23/24.

Depending on your address, there may be internet availability of one or more of the fixed wireless providers listed above near you. There are dozens of other fixed wireless internet providers serving residents all over the U.S., but most are small regional providers that serve less than 1% of the population. 

Your home must be close to a fixed wireless tower, ideally within 10 miles or less. For this reason, some addresses may not be eligible for fixed wireless internet service, even if there is a provider in their ZIP code.

For the most part, fixed wireless providers operate in rural areas since cable and fiber providers are already established in most cities. Plus, tall buildings and densely populated areas can obstruct fixed wireless signals.

Fixed wireless internet isn’t always the cheapest internet, but sometimes, it’s the only choice available other than satellite.

Some providers offer 5G home internet, a type of fixed wireless service. This signal comes from nearby 5G cell phone towers. When that’s not available, you can get LTE service, or a signal that comes from a 4G tower.

Advantages of fixed wireless internet

Some of fixed wireless internet’s biggest advantages include its affordable pricing, availability and ability to handle bandwidth-heavy internet activities such as online gaming.

Fixed wireless internet can be much more cost-effective than other internet tech types. Looking at T-Mobile and Verizon’s 5G plans, this is evident though its fixed pricing with no price hikes or hidden fees.

Fixed wireless internet is also more widely available in rural areas than cable or fiber internet. While satellite is still the best choice for rural internet due to its widespread availability, fixed wireless is another solid option since it does not require direct lines to your home.

Lastly, fixed wireless can support internet activities like online gaming. The short distance between fixed wireless towers and receivers reduces the latency that makes online gaming impossible with satellite internet. This also means Zoom calls and live streaming are much easier with fixed wireless than satellite.

Disadvantages of fixed wireless

Despite its advantages, there are some drawbacks to fixed wireless internet service. For starters, fixed wireless requires specific equipment and you must be near a cellular tower for an optimal connection. The weather could also cause an issue for fixed wireless internet connections, so keep these things in mind when considering the best internet tech for you.

Breakdown by wireless internet provider

Verizon 5G Home Internet

Verizon offers two fixed wireless 5G plans at the cheapest price point in this list, at $25/mo., compared to other ISPs. Verizon 5G internet availability covers many cities across the U.S., and there are no annual contracts, hidden fees, price increases or data caps. 

Verizon’s wireless internet network is another affordable fixed wireless option if its 5G plan isn’t for you. Though 5G is the latest generation, Verizon’s 4G LTE still produces reliable speeds and has the same benefits as its 5G Home Internet. 

Best value plan: Verizon’s 5G Home Plus plan gives you up to 1,000 Mbps in download speed for $70/mo., but if you bundle it with your cell phone plan, it drops to $35/mo.

Check with Verizon

Or call us today: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

T-Mobile offers wireless 5G Home Internet with no hidden fees, price increases or data caps. While its simplistic pricing makes it extremely appealing compared to other providers, it does have inconsistent speeds and your location could affect the quality of your connection. T-Mobile is available across the entire US.

Best value plan: T-Mobile offers one plan at $50/mo. for speeds up to 245 Mbps.

Check with T-Mobile

Or call us today: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

AT&T fixed wireless internet

AT&T offers one standalone fixed wireless internet plan and a fixed wireless internet and DIRECTV bundle. AT&T’s fixed wireless internet has great availability compared to many other ISPs and even includes a gateway router to connect your devices. 

Best value plan: AT&T has only one fixed wireless plan, with up to 25 Mbps in speed and a 350 GB data cap for $59.99/mo.

Check with AT&T

Or call us today: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

Rise Broadband fixed wireless internet

Rise Broadband is the biggest ISP in the U.S. for fixed wireless internet. It’s affordable with starting plans at $29.95 and widely available for many rural areas that have been previously underserved or unserved. Rise Broadband also offers six different plans, giving customers lots of options in terms of speeds and price. 

Best value plan: Rise Broadband’s 100 Unlimited Data for $75/mo. is enough to connect a small smart household.

Check with Rise

Or call us today: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

Starry fixed wireless 5G home internet

Starry Internet offers 5G fixed wireless internet with great download and upload speeds. There are also no hidden fees or contracts with Starry. Though it has limited availability, it is still a new service and will be expanding in the future. 

Best value plan: The Starry Pro plan with up to 500 Mbps for $65/mo.

Check with Starry

Or call us today: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

Fixed wireless availability by provider

According to the FCC, fixed wireless internet service is available to about 80% of the U.S. population, with 61% having access to broadband speeds (up to 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload or higher). Main service areas for fixed wireless internet providers include rural regions in the Northeast, Midwest and Western U.S., but some providers, such as Starry, may provide fixed wireless service exclusively in major metropolitan areas.

• Verizon – Fios is mostly available in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. 5G home internet is available in 900 areas and cities.
• T-Mobile – Available in 50 states, covering about 75% of the country.
• AT&T – Available in California, Florida, Texas and 19 more states.
• Rise Broadband – Available in California, Colorado, Idaho and 16 more states
• Starry Internet – Available in Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C. and other cities across 25 states.

What is fixed wireless internet?

Fixed wireless internet is a type of internet service that uses broadcast towers to transmit and receive internet signals in the form of radio waves. A small dish or antenna receives the signals and sends them to a modem, which converts them into the internet service you use to browse the web, send emails and stream TV.

Similar to satellite internet, fixed wireless broadband eliminates the need for a phone or cable line for service, making it a popular choice for residents of rural areas. Fixed wireless towers can only send signals to roughly a 10-mile radius, however, meaning fixed wireless is available to fewer areas than satellite internet. 

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Fixed wireless vs. satellite internet

Fixed wireless and satellite internet are often the only choices for internet in rural areas, and both have their advantages. Overall, you can expect faster speeds and higher data caps with fixed wireless. The two main satellite internet providers, HughesNet and Viasat, have very low data caps that make streaming or working from home difficult.

Satellite internet is also more sensitive to weather. Because its signal has to travel to satellite dishes in space, it can be slowed down by storms or cloud coverage.

Essentially, satellite internet is a last resort when you can’t get fiber, cable, DSL or fixed wireless internet. It’s more expensive than fixed wireless, offers slower speeds and has lower data caps. The one exception is Starlink, but it has an expensive set-up charge and higher-than-usual monthly fee.

Future of fixed wireless internet

Fixed wireless coverage is already available to over half the U.S. population, but many providers hope to continue expanding their networks to bring the service to more areas.

In fact, fixed wireless connections “accounted for 90% of all net broadband customer additions in the US during 2022,” as reported by LightReading.

Fixed wireless expansion into metropolitan areas

Major cities, such as Boston, Denver, Los Angeles and New York City, that typically do not have access to fixed wireless service are starting to see options available thanks to providers such as Starry Internet, Verizon and T-Mobile. These fixed wireless networks often provide internet to entire buildings and may not be available for individual homes.

Starry $50/mo. service brings affordable fixed wireless to select cities

Starry Internet offers fixed wireless service in major cities, including Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Columbus, Denver and Los Angeles. Currently, Starry is offering internet with speeds up to 200 Mbps starting at price-for-life guaranteed $50/mo. in select areas.

In larger cities, fixed wireless providers often run service to an entire building, such as an apartment complex, rather than to individual homes. Consequently, service may not be available at your address, even if there is a fixed wireless provider in your area that serves local buildings.

T-Mobile and Verizon continue to expand 5G fixed wireless

T-Mobile and Verizon have expanded their fixed wireless coverage significantly in recent years. In many areas where 5G cellphone coverage is available, you can now access home internet using the same towers. 

These 5G home internet speeds are a huge improvement on traditional fixed wireless. Verizon says customers can expect download speeds around 300 Mbps, while T-Mobile says their average is around 100 Mbps, with speeds available to 245 Mbps.

Verizon reported in early 2023 that “5G Ultra Wideband now reaches 200 million people.” According to the FCC broadband service map, it covers about 20% of the U.S.

T-Mobile’s 5G internet service is expanding service frequently. LightReading reported that T-Mobile leaders are talking about improving their fixed wireless service as well. “For example, they have suggested the operator could deploy some of its millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum in order to support faster speeds and more customers. They have also said T-Mobile could install receivers on the outside of customers’ homes, thereby boosting signal reception and reach.”

In select cities, AT&T has introduced a fixed wireless home internet plan to compete with T-Mobile’s and Verizon’s home internet plans. AT&T Internet Air will cost users $55/mo., plus taxes. If you add an eligible AT&T wireless (mobile) plan within the first 30 days, you can get the new plan for $35/mo.

Final thoughts on fixed wireless internet

Fixed wireless internet is a solid solution for rural areas near a tower. The plans aren’t the fastest, but in some cases, they are faster than satellite. When you are moving to a new home, it’s best to check your address to see what internet service is available to you. Just because a neighbor has one provider does not mean they are also available at your address.

Fixed Wireless FAQs

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