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3G wireless: How it is received:
With 3G wireless, the provider supplies two powerful antennas that are each about the same size as a “Pringles” can. These antennas are usually placed inside the office of the customer. Both antennas connect to a modem that provides an Ethernet handoff to the customer computer, or network router.
The modem locates and locks-onto the strongest wireless bandwidth signal of the 4 largest cell companies in the country. 3G wireless bandwidth averages speeds of about 1 Mbps for download by 512k for upload
3G fixed wireless guarantee :
The top wireless providers offer a 30 day trial. If the customer is not satisfied with the service, either by the first day or by the 29th day, they can return the equipment and are not obligated to stay under contract.
3G wireless can be ordered on a month-to-month basis :
If a customer decides that they do not want a long term commitment, they can choose to receive the service under a month-to-month agreement. Month-to- month service is more expensive than service that is contracted for one or more years.
3G fixed wireless: No additional equipment needed :
The customer does not need to purchase additional equipment to use this service. An Ethernet handoff is provided so the customer can just plug the Ethernet cord right into their computer or network router. One static IP address is also included with this service.
Installation costs :
Fixed wireless providers often charge a onetime nonrefundable installation/handling fee of approximately $100. This fee pays for their costs to assess which of the top 4 providers offer the best signal for the customer’s location. The provider also assists the customer by phone, to set up the antennas and modem. This is a simple process that usually takes about ten or fifteen minutes. A customer will have the ability to contact the company at any time for customer service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including holidays) should they need assistance with their service.
3G Wireless vs. DSL and Cable :
3G wireless service can be provided to a customer’s location within a few days, depending on which shipping method is preferred. Once the equipment is received at the location, the service can be activated the same day. DSL and cable service installation can take anywhere from 30-60 days. Also, fixed wireless service is available in the vast majority of locations that cannot be reached by DSL or cable.
3G Wireless vs. Satellite :
3G wireless service should not be compared with satellite service. With satellite service, a customer is usually limited to the amount of bandwidth that they can use each month. Once this limit is reached, service is either shut off, or limited to the point where it is no longer functional. 3G fixed wireless does not have a monthly cap so the customer can maximize bandwidth 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and not be shut off or penalized.
Even though satellite service may appear to be less expensive, to obtain the equivalent bandwidth provided by fixed wireless, satellite usually costs more. Also, for satellite, the equipment and installation charges are usually several hundred dollars higher than with fixed wireless
Another important issue is that because the signal for satellite signal must travel thousands of miles each way for upload and download, the distance makes the signal vulnerable to atmospheric conditions like interference (noise). Because of this, and because a fixed wireless circuit only must travel through the air a few miles to get to the nearest cell tower, a fixed wireless circuit only has a fraction of the latency and packet loss that are common to a satellite circuit
Redundancy :
3G wireless service is an excellent source of bandwidth redundancy. Because T1 and DSL services are both carried over telephone lines, an outage that occurs at the CO (central office), or between the CO and the customers building, will cause both services to go down. Because a wireless signal travels through the air, 3G wireless service continues to be available when all wired circuits go down. For this reason, many customers choose to have wireless service as their back-up solution.
To check prices and availability for any of the services listed above, please use the pricing tool at the top of this page. It’s free, real-time, easy to use and there is no obligation.
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Is 3G fixed wireless more redundant for T1 than DSL?