Fixed wireless internet providers 2024
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Best availability
Best for fast speeds
Prices from
$35.00
per month
Speeds up to
1,000
Mbps
with a mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. With Auto Pay + Paperless billing.
Best for bundling
Prices from
$55.00
per month
Speeds up to
5,000
Mbps
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install charge may apply.
Why trust our broadband experts
Allconnect’s team of broadband experts regularly reviews the top internet service providers in the U.S., scrutinizing each company under a rigorous scoring system to help our readers make informed internet purchases. We keep our data points accurate and up to date based on thorough research and partnership communications. Our content is not directed by partners. Visit our full methodology page and advertising disclosure to learn more.
Fixed wireless internet uses radio cell towers to broadcast signal to communities across the U.S. While fixed wireless access (FWA) used to mainly be available in rural areas, the introduction of 5th-generation (5G) internet and increased infrastructure has made wireless home internet a stronger competitor to cable and fiber internet.
Top fixed wireless internet providers include Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, but many smaller wireless internet companies are available across the country. Fixed wireless is one of the most serviceable internet technologies in the United States, but if you need other options, check out some of the other best internet providers.
Best fixed wireless internet providers
The fixed wireless internet providers near you depend on your location, and there may be more than one option available. Here are the top wireless home internet providers:
- T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Best availability
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Best for fast speeds
- King Street Wireless: Best for rural areas
- Rise Broadband: Best plan variety
- AT&T Internet Air: Best for bundling with AT&T mobile
- Starry Internet: Best upload speeds
Compare fixed wireless internet providers
Provider | Speed range | Starting cost | Data limit | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Up to 245 Mbps | $50/mo. | No | ||
85–1,000 Mbps | $50/mo. | No | ||
Up to 12 Mbps | $50/mo. | Yes | Call to order: (877) 701-6907 | |
Up to 100 Mbps | $25/mo. | Yes | Call to order: (877) 701-6907 | |
40–140 Mbps | $55/mo. | No | ||
300–1,000 Mbps | $50/mo. | No | Call to order: (877) 701-6907 |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary. As of 1/18/24.
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
Fixed wireless ISP breakdowns
Here, we’ve broken down some of the best fixed wireless internet options in the country. Learn more about pricing, speeds and pros and cons of each of our top picks for wireless internet.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet – Best availability
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.
Read the full T-Mobile review.
T-Mobile’s simplicity is one of the best features of this no-contract fixed wireless internet service. You get unlimited data up to 245 Mbps for $50/mo. (or as low as $30/mo. when you bundle with a T-Mobile cellular plan). T-Mobile 5G internet has coverage virtually nationwide, including in rural communities, and customer satisfaction with this provider is consistently high.
Pros
No additional fees for the gateway, activation or installation
Cons
No option to upgrade to a faster plan if you want more than 245 Mbps
Verizon 5G Home Internet – Best for fast speeds
Overall score: 4 out of 5.
Read the full Verizon 5G Home Internet review.
Verizon 5G is similar to T-Mobile in many ways. The price starts at $50/mo., and there are no equipment or installation charges. Bundling with a Verizon Mobile plan nets you an internet discount of up to $25 a month. The big difference between Verizon 5G and most other fixed wireless plans is that you can upgrade to a faster plan. The Verizon 5G Home Plus plan is $70/mo. for speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Only one other fixed wireless provider on our list, Starry Internet, offers speeds that fast.
Pros
5G Home Plus plan has a complimentary Wi-Fi booster and Verizon Cloud Unlimited as additional perks
Cons
Still in the process of expanding service to rural areas
King Street Wireless – Best for rural areas
King Street Wireless has three plans at $50, $60 and $70/mo. Only the $70/mo. plan has unlimited data, while the other two have 2 GB and 6GB. Since the price difference between the plans is not substantial, the unlimited data is well worth the extra cost, especially if you plan on doing any streaming. All King Street Wireless plans have the download and upload capability of 12 Mbps/2 Mbps. While this speed can sustain most online activities, it is not ideal for connecting more than a couple of Wi-Fi devices at once.
Pros
Availability in 27 states with ample coverage in rural communities
Cons
Data limits on some plans
Rise Broadband – Best plan variety
Overall score: 3.1 out of 5.
Rise Broadband operates a fixed wireless and fiber network across 16 Midwestern and Southwestern states, including Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada and Texas. Because of its multiple connection types, Rise has various plans that span a wide range of speeds, prices and features. The fixed wireless options are 25, 50 or 100 Mbps and come with unlimited data or a choice of 350, 600 or 700 GB. Fees with Rise Broadband can be substantial, including a $150 installation fee for a rooftop antenna and a $10/mo. gateway rental. Plus, some plans come with a contract and an ETF of $10 for each remaining month of the agreement.
Pros
Offers a selection of seven fixed wireless plans based on speed and data amount
Cons
Data limits and overage fees on over half of its fixed wireless plans
AT&T Internet Air – Best for bundling
Overall score: 3.6 out of 5.
Read the full AT&T review.
AT&T fixed wireless is slower than most fixed wireless internet providers but still offers favorable home Wi-Fi deals, especially in rural areas. Fixed wireless with AT&T Internet Air is $55/mo. (less if you bundle with phone) and includes unlimited data and a free wireless modem. Like other fixed wireless providers, the easy setup consists of plugging in the gateway to an outlet near a window or outside wall.
Pros
Can bundle AT&T Internet Air with AT&T Wireless for a $20/mo. discount
Cons
Top speed is up to 140 Mbps, making this the second-slowest fixed wireless provider on our list, behind King Street Wireless
Starry Internet – Best upload speeds
Overall score: 3.8 out of 5.
Starry Internet 5G is only available in select cities now (Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C.), although the provider plans to expand into 47 markets soon. If you are located in Starry’s current coverage area, it is one of the best fixed wireless providers in terms of speed and plan options. Starry has four plans at $40 for 200 Mbps, $50 for 300 Mbps, $65 for 500 Mbps and $80 for 1,000 Mbps, plus one for qualifying low-income households that starts at $30/mo. You won’t have contracts or equipment fees with Starry, and all plans provide unlimited fixed wireless internet.
Pros
Download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 200 Mbps, faster than any other fixed wireless provider on our list
Cons
Price not guaranteed after the first 12 months
Advantages of fixed wireless internet
Consider these pros and cons of FWA internet when shopping for an ISP near you. If you are okay with sacrificing some reliability and speed for cost and convenience, fixed wireless might be right for you.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Easy to set up | Speed varies based on location |
Not expensive | Inclement weather can affect reliability |
Available in rural areas | Can experience slower speeds during network congestion |
No contracts or data caps on most plans | Average speeds are slower than cable or fiber |
Where is fixed wireless internet available?
Fixed wireless is available nationwide. For example, T-Mobile 5G is available in part of all 50 states and Verizon 5G is available in 34. Many smaller fixed wireless providers exist throughout the country and are often available in rural areas. Enter your address on this page to find the best wireless internet deals near you.
Fixed wireless vs. other technology types
Fixed wireless internet ranks well against other internet technologies. Here’s how FWA internet compares to fiber, cable and satellite internet:
- Fixed wireless vs. fiber internet: Fiber can be significantly faster than fixed wireless, but fixed wireless is cheaper and more available.
- Fixed wireless vs. cable internet: Cable internet speeds are usually faster than fixed wireless plans. Both connection types are shared connections that can slow down due to network congestion. However, speeds fluctuate more frequently with fixed wireless.
- Fixed wireless vs. satellite internet: Satellite internet has broader availability. However, satellite plans typically have contracts, data limitations and pricier equipment fees and are more expensive. Plus, you have to install a satellite on your home or property. Fixed wireless service requires no bulky equipment and offers unlimited no-contract plans for around $50/mo.
- Fixed wireless vs. DSL: DSL internet has top speeds around 100 Mbps, whereas 5G fixed wireless internet can reach up to 1,000 Mbps. DSL runs along decades-old copper phone lines, often deteriorating or poorly maintained in many areas.
Fixed wireless FAQs
What is fixed wireless internet?
Fixed wireless internet is broadband with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Fixed wireless uses radio cell towers to transmit data; 5G and 4G LTE are all types of fixed wireless service that provide internet at varying speeds.
Which fixed wireless providers are available near me?
The most available fixed wireless provider is T-Mobile 5G. Other fixed wireless providers with large coverage areas include Verizon 5G, CenturyLink, Rise Broadband and Starry Internet.
Is wireless internet better than satellite internet?
Wireless internet is better than satellite because it is cheaper and provides faster speeds without data limitations or contracts. However, satellite internet is more widely available.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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