What Is Fixed Wireless?
Fixed wireless internet uses radio signals from a nearby tower to deliver internet to an antenna at your home. This includes services from local WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers), T-Mobile Home Internet, and Verizon Home Internet (5G Home).
The "fixed" part means the antenna stays in one place, pointed at the tower. Unlike cellular hotspots, fixed wireless services are designed for home use with better antennas and sometimes dedicated spectrum.
Speed Comparison
T-Mobile Home Internet: Typical speeds of 33 to 245 Mbps download, though they advertise "up to" higher numbers. Performance depends heavily on tower distance and congestion. Many customers report 50 to 100 Mbps in practice.
Local WISPs: Speeds range from 10 to 100 Mbps depending on the provider, your distance from the tower, and the technology they use. Some modern WISPs offer up to 200 Mbps on newer equipment.
Verizon 5G Home: Can deliver 300+ Mbps in areas with C-band coverage, but availability is extremely limited outside urban and suburban areas.
Starlink: 100 to 400 Mbps depending on plan tier. Real-world performance varies by location and time of day. Typical experience on the $80 plan is 100 to 180 Mbps.
On paper, the speeds overlap significantly. The difference is in consistency and availability.
Reliability
Fixed wireless reliability depends on one factor: your line of sight to the tower. If you have clear line of sight, it can be very reliable. If trees, hills, or buildings partially block the signal, you will get inconsistent speeds and frequent dropouts.
Many rural fixed wireless customers deal with speeds that change dramatically with the seasons. Trees that are bare in winter may grow leaves in spring and cut your speed in half. A neighbor who builds a barn between you and the tower can end your service entirely.
Starlink does not require line of sight to any ground-based tower. It communicates with satellites overhead. As long as you have a clear view of the sky (which is a different and usually easier requirement than line of sight to a specific tower), it works.
Weather affects both services. Heavy rain reduces Starlink performance temporarily. Fixed wireless can also degrade in rain, though it depends on the frequency band the provider uses.
Latency
Fixed wireless generally has lower latency than Starlink, typically 10 to 30 milliseconds versus Starlink's 20 to 50 milliseconds. For gaming and real-time applications, fixed wireless has an edge. For general use, the difference is negligible.
T-Mobile Home Internet latency is often higher than local WISPs because of network routing, sometimes reaching 40 to 80 milliseconds.
Pricing
T-Mobile Home Internet: $35 to $50 per month. Equipment included (no purchase required). Requires T-Mobile cellular coverage at your address.
Local WISPs: $40 to $100 per month depending on speed tier and provider. Some charge installation fees of $100 to $300. Equipment may be rented or purchased.
Verizon 5G Home: $25 to $60 per month for existing Verizon customers, more for others. Equipment included.
Starlink: $50 to $120 per month depending on plan. $349 equipment purchase.
Fixed wireless is generally cheaper month to month, especially T-Mobile Home Internet. But the total cost calculation depends on whether fixed wireless actually delivers usable service at your address.
Availability
This is where the two diverge sharply. Fixed wireless requires proximity to a tower, which limits it to certain addresses. Even T-Mobile Home Internet, which has broad 4G/5G coverage, does not offer home internet at every address in its coverage area due to capacity constraints.
Local WISPs have the most limited coverage of all. A typical WISP covers a radius of 5 to 15 miles around each tower. If you are outside that range or behind a hill, you are out of luck.
Starlink is available at virtually every address in the continental US. The only requirement is a clear view of the sky.
When Fixed Wireless Makes More Sense
When Starlink Makes More Sense
Our Recommendation
If T-Mobile Home Internet works at your address and delivers 50+ Mbps consistently, it is probably the better value. If a local WISP gives you reliable 50+ Mbps, same story.
But if you have tested fixed wireless and it does not deliver, or if no fixed wireless option reaches your address, Starlink is the answer. We have installed Starlink for many customers who tried one or two WISPs first and got frustrated with inconsistent service.
Want to discuss your options? Contact us and we will help you figure out what makes sense for your situation.