Fiber in the air

The term „FWA“ (Fixed Wireless Access) designates fixed wireless access networks operating in the 26/28 GHz bands, which are used for the provision of telecommunications services to companies and organizations. As to their quality and reliability, FWA networks are equal to terrestrial networks based on optical fibers.

Thanks to the use of FWA, STAR 21 Networks may offer such quality connections to its customers as well.

In the end, it is not the method of connection that is relevant to the user, but the parameters that may be guaranteed by the provider and the price for which the provider is able to guarantee such parameters. Following are the most important criteria for comparison of features and possibilities of FWA and optical network:

• Transmission speed – the data transmission speed of optical fibers may reach theoretically Gbps to Tbps values, which predetermines them for the use in backbone networks. In access networks, such capacity cannot be effectively utilized in most cases, while the FWA speed of up to 30 Mbps is the optimum speed for current and for future business applications.
• Quality – the quality of the transmission route is usually expressed in bit error rate. The minimum standard of leased circuits is 10-9. Due to the fact that the 26/28 GHz bands are reserved (licensed) and there is no threat of interference by other transmitters, FWA connections provide the same quality as optical fibers.
• Reliability – thanks to the frequency band reserved for FWA, the actual reliability of both technologies is virtually the same. The reliability of optical networks may be increased by creating “rings“, which means additional costs. The same effect may be achieved by the use of a redundant FWA connection. The reliability in both cases is higher than the reliability of a current (copper) terrestrial line.
• Installation time – the installation of a wireless connection is, in principle, much faster than the installation of a terrestrial connection. This has a special importance nowadays, when the economy development requires fast adjustments of the size and structure of companies to the ever-changing conditions – relocations, divisions or mergers are quite frequent.
• Price – FWA offers the best ratio of price and performance on the current telecommunications market. It does not require any capital expenditures from the user and thanks to its flexibility and reserve capacity may be easily adjusted to your existing and future requirements.