The benefits of fixed wireless internet for your public sector network

For decades, getting the best internet speeds and reliability required tethering your organization to a network via wires. Not so anymore. Thanks to fixed wireless access (FWA) technology, also known as fixed wireless internet, it is now possible to deliver best-in-class connectivity using wireless technology. This approach opens exciting possibilities for rethinking government internet access and how a public sector network operates.

When properly implemented and managed, fixed wireless internet can deliver network performance comparable to that of traditional broadband networks. Behind the scenes, the connection happens wirelessly instead of relying on cabled connections. But for users, fixed wireless internet delivers an online experience that looks and feels mostly the same as a wired connection to the internet. Here's a look at some of the ways it can benefit the government sector.

What are the benefits of fixed wireless internet?

Fixed wireless internet with 5G technology offers the potential for ultra-high speeds, low latency and massive capacity. The main benefits of opting for an FWA connection as an alternative to traditional internet service include:

• The ability to provide broadband networking in areas where cabled internet is awkward, limited or inaccessible, such as in rural areas
• Fast and easy installation, FWA can be installed without needing trenches or other disruptive construction since the only device required to connect is a fixed wireless internet receiver
• A lower risk of network connectivity disruptions due to broken cables or damage to wired network infrastructure
• A secure networking option, as voice data and video are transmitted privately, while 5G and 4G LTE encrypt data and signaling to help prevent it from being accessed

What are the use cases for government internet with fixed wireless internet

FWA offers a range of ways to make public sector networks more affordable, efficient and effective for government agencies in particular. Here are some key use cases for FWA in government.
 

Branch offices

With FWA, government agencies that operate branch offices in remote locations without access to wired broadband don't need to settle for low-performing or spotty connectivity. Using FWA, agencies can operate efficiently and provide better services to populations located in regions that are underserved by cabled broadband.
 

Temporary connectivity

Because FWA can be set up quickly, without the complexity or cost of running cables, it's an ideal solution for delivering government internet to agencies that require temporary connectivity. For example, during emergency response operations, FWA allows government employees to connect fast and reliably. FWA is also a great solution for hosting temporary events that require broadband internet, such as operating polls during election season or hosting recruiting sessions for government workers.
 

Remote work

As of late 2023, more than two-thirds (68%) of federal employees still worked remotely at least occasionally, with many working remotely three to four days a week.¹ For these employees, fixed wireless internet offers a cost-effective means of ensuring reliable internet connectivity regardless of which traditional broadband options are available in their homes or the other locations from which they log in remotely. As a result, remote government employees can remain productive without worrying about connection failures that will disrupt work.
 

Business continuity

The fact that fixed wireless internet works wherever a 5G or 4G LTE wireless signal is available makes it an excellent solution for maintaining business continuity following natural disasters or scheduled disruption to traditional internet infrastructure. Government agencies that have standard, wired broadband connections in place can deploy fixed wireless internet as a backup internet solution that keeps their organizations connected and operating during unexpected disruptions.

Fixed wireless internet offers a flexible public sector network solution

Fixed wireless internet is not expected to replace all cabled broadband anytime soon, as many government agencies have reliable high speed networks in place. But for others, FWA makes it possible to upgrade aging copper infrastructure that may be affected by decommissioning and/or build more flexible, scalable and adaptive public sector networks that extend the broadband experience to contexts where it just wasn't feasible in the past.

For those with concerns that some FWA networks may have limited transmission range or run the risk of wireless network interference, these challenges can be mitigated with proper FWA design, management and the expertise of a reliable network carrier. Verizon provides fast, reliable, scalable wireless network connectivity for government internet connection requirements both large and small, along with ample bandwidth for cloud-based, data-rich and mission-critical applications. Verizon also has experience helping public sector organizations with purpose-built solutions.

Learn more about Verizon's fixed wireless internet services and plans.

The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.