Fixed Wireless Internet vs DSL

Away from the vibrant and often loud sounds of the city, the suburbs and the rural areas can often seem like an escape. There is a slightly nostalgic feeling to the wide stretches of land, and after the bustle of a city, few people around certainly feel like a gift. Such is the life of peace in the suburban and rural areas of the U.S.

While this seems like nothing short of a piece of heaven on earth, the truth of rural areas in the U.S can be a little different. This is not because this perfect picture of the suburban towns does not exist but because sometimes the rural areas can be a tad bit underserved. For instance, just consider the internet situation in most rural areas. They do get internet service, but the options are quite limited. Fixed Wireless Internet and DSL are two of the most widely available services there. However, luckily both of these internet services are fairly decent.

In this article, we discuss both Fixed Wireless internet and DSL internet and what each service can mean for you. We hope this article will help you make decisions on what service to invest in.

What is Fixed Wireless Internet?

Fixed wireless internet is basically, a fast-speed and reliable internet option. Although it can freely exist anywhere, it does perform better in the non-hindered regions of the rural areas. The internet is delivered from the main access point (most often supplied by Fiber internet lines) to individual receivers. These can be installed at different places, for example, home-run businesses, dairy farms, and of course, homes. Each receiver is supposed to be within a 10-mile radius. The receivers should ideally also be in the line of sight of the access point, for optimal results.

The signals of a fixed wireless internet are radio waves and are broadcasted over a limited range. Since all of this is achieved without the use or need of wires, this internet service is called fixed wireless.

Pros of Fixed Wireless

It may not be the best choice out there, but for many rural areas fixed wireless internet is a good enough choice. There are certainly quite a few upsides of using fixed wireless internet which are given as follows.

1. The internet service is based on signals and needs no cables or any physical means to travel.
2. You can expect high-speed internet with reliable services.
3. Available almost everywhere in the U.S.
4. Data plans are often unlimited.
5. You can cut the cord on your home phone if you wish since it isn’t a prerequisite.
6. Fixed wireless gets you speeds high enough to do anything you want, gaming, browsing, online learning, and even remote work.

These are some of the top reasons to use the internet service provided by fixed wireless. Vast availability around the nation ensures that fixed wireless service is present in most places, especially in rural areas.

Cons of Fixed Wireless

Fixed wireless internet is a good internet option, but it does have some minor drawbacks. The disadvantages of getting the fixed wireless internet include;

1. A line of sight is necessary to receive a viable connection. This means that you have to be located within a ten-mile radius to receive signals from this internet service.
2. Fixed wireless tends to be more expensive than DSL internet plans. The pricing plans for fixed wireless are more similar to cable internet providers in the industry.

What is DSL Internet?

DSL or a Digital Subscriber Line uses phone lines to transmit internet signals. Since phone lines are widely available in almost all states, DSL internet has a far and wide reach. Although it is often confused with Dial-up internet, DSL is inherently different. It allows the use of both phone and internet simultaneously without compromising the quality of either. DSL internet is a worthy option for rural and suburban regions because most areas have preexisting phone lines that can be used to work with.

DSL broadband is a fixed-line technology and hence employs the use of copper cables. Hence, in contrast to fixed wireless, DSL is heavily reliant on cables and wires. DSL has evolved over time to even better technologies, like the ADSL, which offers better download and upload speeds.

Pros of DSL Internet

DSL internet is one of the oldest forms of internet offered in the world. So much so, that the technology itself comes with quite an interesting set of benefits.

You get the following perks when you sign-up with a DSL internet provider.

1. DSL is a more cost-effective and affordable option than some of the other internet services in the industry.
2. DSL reuses copper cable phone lines for internet so no new setup is needed
3. The internet always stays on with DSL, you don’t have to pause to make calls like with dial-up.

DSL internet is a kind of service that is reliable enough to trust. The speeds may not be as impressive as cable internet or fiber speeds, but they are decent enough to support most of your internet and entertainment needs.

Cons of DSL Internet

DSL is a good choice for internet service but does come with a few downsides. These cons include but are not limited to;

1. You may be required to get a phone service too, in addition to the internet.
2. Speeds are strongly dependent on the proximity to the base station. Internet speeds drastically reduce if your residence is located at a distance from the DSL station.
3. DSL plans may come with data caps.

DSL internet service will not get you anything and everything under the sun, but it is decent enough to get you all that matters. Your internet service is almost as good as cable internet and often, you can get speeds just as well too. The best part is that the DSL internet is usually quite cost-effective which makes the entire service more enjoyable.

Final Words: Fixed Wireless or DSL Internet?

Whatever service you choose to get, it all boils down to a few basic points. What is it that you are hoping to achieve from your internet service? What speed needs do you have?

The point is that no matter how many services out there you have to choose from, your need packet always comes first. Discuss your needs with your partner, assess them and then only look for internet service. More often than not, this little pre-planning is going to help you choose a service that works best for you. Without having to pay any extra money.

So fixed wireless or DSL, in 2022? If you are living in rural or suburban heaven and want the perfect option, the choice is all yours. Look closely and then decide on what you want.