Home wireless broadband, also known as fixed wireless internet, offers a super-fast broadband connection through New Zealand’s 3G, 4G or 5G mobile networks.
It allows homes and businesses to access the internet through New Zealand’s cell phone network, without needing to rely on a physical connection. This means that you don’t need a phone, cable or fibre line to connect to the internet, and can be a great option if you live in urban or rural areas.
Fixed wireless broadband uses the radio waves transmitted by cellphone towers to connect you to the internet. Depending on where you live, this can be the same 3G, 4G or 5G network that your cell phone uses.
This is different from Fibre, ADSL or VDSL broadband which uses phone or fibre cables to connect your home to the internet.
The connection is “fixed” because you are connected through a wireless broadband modem that stays in a fixed spot, rather than the roaming 3G or 4G connection you have through your cell phone.
A key benefit of fixed wireless internet is that it doesn’t require a physical cable connection. Instead, it uses an antenna built into the Wireless Broadband Modem. The antenna picks up the radio signals from the closest cell tower.
A fixed wireless broadband connection might be a good option for you if:
If you live in an area with good 3G or 4G reception, then wireless broadband will provide high speeds and a reliable connection. You can expect a connection that allows you to check emails, use social media and stream music and videos through your wireless connection..
Wireless broadband is worth considering in areas where ADSL or VDSL broadband aren’t performing optimally. The performance of traditional ADSL or VDSL broadband declines the further away from the exchange that you live. So, you may be surprised to learn that wireless broadband can outperform traditional broadband connections.
Is wireless broadband right for you? The quality of your connection will depend on where you live and how good the reception is in your area. Here are some pros and cons to help you make an informed choice about wireless broadband.
This question depends on where you live. If you live in an area with good 3G and 4G reception then wireless broadband is likely to offer the best speed and connection. Plus, getting started is often as simple plugging in a Wireless Broadband modem.
Satellite internet relies on a physical dish mounted to your roof to connect you to the internet via satellite signals, so there is more set up involved. Satellite broadband plans have traditionally been more expensive wireless broadband. But it is much more widely available – pretty much anywhere you can see the sky.
If you live in rural parts of New Zealand Fixed Wireless from the major mobile providers may not be the best solution for you. An organisation known as WISPA is here to help. This is a collection of NZ WISPs – or Wireless Internet Service Providers – and they are key to broadband in rural New Zealand. They provide Internet connectivity by fixed wireless, mostly in regional or rural areas where mainstream telecommunications companies don’t bother going. WISPs connect to a fibre optic link at a central point (this is known as “backhaul”), install a series of fixed wireless receivers and transmitters on hilltops or high buildings, and bounce the wireless signal across a series of these sites to a cluster of end users in a rural area. Their site offers more details here.
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Get $10 off monthly for the life of the plan when you sign up to Wireless broadband on a 12-month plan! Limited time offer. Only available to new customers. Terms and Conditions apply.
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