Optimum’s Stance on Fixed Wireless: It’s Just Not Good Enough

A recent survey conducted by Optimum found that while 90% of consumers view value as the most important feature in their internet connectivity experience, only half are satisfied with the value they are receiving from their current provider. Another 40% of consumers have no idea what speeds they are getting in their home or apartment, and the same 40% have at least one activity that's difficult to perform or complete because of their internet connection's performance, with TV streaming being the most problematic activity noted.

It's no surprise affordable, fast and reliable internet connectivity is a "must-have" today. To deliver this experience, a new wireless home connectivity option has been marketed heavily to consumers as an easy and inexpensive solution called fixed wireless - commonly referred to as '5G Home Internet'.

This is essentially a way to get online via a new modem installed in a customer's home or apartment that receives 5G wireless signals through the air from a nearby cell tower, kind of like how walkie-talkies work but for the internet. Some consumers like it because it's relatively easy to self-install and is usually marketed at an affordable price with (promoted) strong speeds.

But there's a major problem with fixed wireless - some users report good speeds while others nearby have speeds that are struggling. Some of this might be on how close a user is to a cell tower or if their in-home device is in the right position in the room for the best performance. Usually not something consumers are thinking about when it comes to being connected. The reality is some of the biggest frustrations with fixed wireless internet often stem from limitations and inconsistencies that providers tend not to emphasize upfront. While fixed wireless can be a good, initial alternative to wired broadband, a customer should think about some of these five common user frustrations:

• Inconsistent Speeds and Drops - Fixed wireless connections often deliver speeds within an advertised range, but particularly during peak times, signal congestion can occur. For example, it might work fine at 10 a.m., but come 5 p.m. and throughout the evening, users might see inconsistent speeds and connection drops during high-traffic times.
• Signal Interference and Line-of-Sight Problems - For customers that have trees in their yards, or prefer to put equipment like modems away in closets or cupboards, fixed wireless may not be the solution for them. Many fixed wireless deployments suffer from interference caused by nearby devices or obstacles like trees, buildings, or even weather changes. The technology relies on a clear line of sight to the base station, and performance can degrade sharply if that view becomes obstructed or environmental interference occurs.​
• Shared Bandwidth and Network Congestion - Because most residential fixed wireless services use shared-spectrum setups, speeds can drop drastically when other users in the same coverage area are online. Providers rarely tell customers they'll be sharing the same connection to the nearby cell tower, a key feature that drastically slows down internet speeds.
• Unreliable Performance in Adverse Weather - Fixed wireless is particularly vulnerable to adverse weather conditions - such as heavy rain, snow, or fog - since its signal travels through the air and can be easily disrupted. In contrast, fiber or cable technologies, particularly those buried underground, are far less susceptible to these environmental factors. This means that while fixed wireless users might experience frustrating drops in connectivity during storms, those relying on cabled connections may enjoy more consistent performance.
• Hidden Costs and Data Limits - Some fixed wireless plans impose data usage caps or mounting fees that aren't clearly disclosed in marketing materials. Users frequently discover these after installation or when they exceed bandwidth thresholds. And what happens when a customer hits their user data usage cap? Speeds slow down, glitches and buffering occur in streaming and gaming, and the overall connectivity experience suffers. In short, other providers emphasize a range of speeds, but the highest speeds are usually achieved only under ideal, interference-free conditions with a perfectly clear line of sight to a nearby cell tower. And for those not near a cell tower - what's the solution for them?

The good news is, Optimum has consumers covered for a dedicated connection at an affordable price. For those looking for steady, fast internet all the time, Optimum is offering connections at either 200Mbps at $25/month or 1 Gig at $40/month, both with a price-lock guarantee. And it's easier than ever to set up Optimum Internet yourself. You will be up and running in 20 minutes or less without a technician appointment or fees, just click here for Optimum's Internet Self-setup guide.

Fixed wireless providers will promise "super-fast speeds," but they won't discuss how these speeds are shared by many others and operate well only in perfect weather.

At Optimum, we know that no one should have to take slow (or inconsistent, unreliable) for an answer. Visit optimum.com/notgoodenough for more details.

Eric Bruno

SVP, Product Management