The internet has become an indispensable tool in our modern-day life. With the proliferation of modern tech devices, everyone wants to be connected to the internet. The good news is that there are many things you can do with this internet. From communicating with people miles away from you to doing business, you can do a wide spectrum of activities with this internet. However, for you to realize all these gains, there is a need to have a good internet connection. If you are looking to access good and stable internet, Microwave internet is the ultimate solution for you.
You will note that this is a wireless communication technology that uses high-frequency beams of radio waves to provide much-needed high-speed internet. It is actually an excellent option for those who live in the rural areas, industrial estates, and other areas that are not well served by copper or new fiber broadband. In this article, we shall discuss microwave internet at length so that you can know more about it.
How Does Microwave Internet Works
Microwave internet basically starts with a fiber connection at a point of presence (PoP) which is connected to the national fiber network internet. This in return is connected into the interface of the radio, which later transmits ultra-high frequency internet over the air. It is later converted back into copper or fiber cable at the recipient’s end by a router.
Typically, it uses high-frequency waves which are actually undetectable by Wi-Fi devices so as to transmit an encrypted signal which is later decrypted and converted back to a fiber or copper connection at either end of the radio link. Regardless of where you live, you can be sure that you will enjoy a high-speed internet connection, thanks to the microwave internet.
Advantage of Microwave Internet
Microwave internet comes with a number of advantages. Here are some of the advantages of considering this kind of internet connection.
1. Remote access
For many years, those people who live in remote areas have complained about poor internet connection. If you have a business that solely relies on the internet in order to run, you might encounter a lot of challenges. This is the reason why you should consider microwave internet. With this type of internet connection, you can be assured of high-speed communication regardless of your current correction. Since a fiber broadband connection might not be available in your remote locality, microwave internet is definitely a life-saver for you.
2. Low latency
To start with, latency refers to the measure of how long it takes for data to travel along with an internet connection. Although this parameter might not matter a lot to most homeowners, it matters a lot to those who are in business. In fact, it can make or break business productivity.
If the latency of the network is high, your business might be affected negatively. Typically, latency is always high in a wired network compared to wireless networks. As a result, you can trust that that you will not experience high latency with a microwave internet connection.
3. Low cost
It is imperative to note that the cost of installing a microwave tower is significantly less than that of installing traditional buried cable systems. In fact, a microwave communication system does not require a physical cable or expensive attenuation equipment in order to maintain signal strength during transmission. This makes microwave internet connection a viable alternative to DSL or cable internet connection.
4. Fast installation
Although cable internet connection and leased lines might be a good option for seeking a reliable internet connection, sometimes, there might be delays here and there. At some point, such an internet connection might require intrusive structural building work so that the ultimate customer gets internet in his or her home.
To avert all the inconveniences that come with a cable internet connection, you should consider a microwave internet connection today. This kind of internet connection is very fast to install, even in areas where cable installation is impractical. Here, there is no need for cumbersome satellite dished.
With just a discrete antenna, you will be good to go. When it comes to the installation process, it will only take a few days as opposed to fiber broad connection, which can take a couple of weeks to be installed successfully.
5. Reliability
When it comes to reliability, microwave internet does not disappoint. Unlike the fiber optic networks which can be interfered with in case, there is ongoing construction in the neighborhood, microwave is quite reliable. Regardless of what is going on within your street or building, you can be sure that you will enjoy a stable internet connection.
In fact, microwave internet ensures a comparatively higher level of dependability that is needed for uninterrupted business processes. This is because a microwave internet connection is basically a point-to-point connection that exceeds the reliability of fiber optic networks. Consequently, you can trust that your business will grow and make more profits.
6. Fast internet speeds
If you are a business person, chances are that you are looking to subscribe to an internet connection whose speeds range from 20Mbps to 500Mbps. The good news is that a microwave internet connection is able to achieve speeds. Also, the microwave spectrum has larger bandwidth, and therefore, a large amount of data can be transmitted using it. This can actually be a game-changer for your business.
7. Secure connection
It is imperative to note that microwave internet is not shared with other users. In addition, it comes with a Service Level Agreement (SLA). This assures that you will enjoy a secure connection compared to shared business FTTC broadband solution.
See More: How To Get High Speed Internet In Rural Areas
Disadvantage of Microwave Internet
In as much as this type of internet connection has its advantages as discussed above, it also comes with its own share of drawbacks. Some of the disadvantages of this internet include:
1. It is limited to line of sight propagation
You will note that a microwave link installation normally requires a clear line of sights void of obstacles such as a large building, mountains, and so on. Such can be a problem in cities that have several high-rise buildings. At some point, you might have to put up repeaters between two towers to avert any form of signal obstruction.
2. Electromagnetic interference
Also known as EMI, this can also be a great hindrance as a far as this internet execution is concerned. Some of the common sources of EMI include electric motors, electric power transmission lines, wind turbines, and so on. At some point, bad weather can also affect microwave signal transmission.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Is microwave faster than fiber optic?
Not really. Both of them nearly have the same internet speeds. For the microwave internet, you can expect that you will enjoy internet speeds ranging from 20Mbps to 500Mbps, which is more or less that of fiber optic.
Is Microwave internet safe?
Yes. You will note that all microwave internet links are configured to conform to EU and UK standards. Generally, all the hardware used to provide the internet are CE marked. In addition, the manufacturers of these links have included guidelines on how one should get to the antenna. This goes a long way in optimizing your security whenever you are using this kind of internet connection.
Is Microwave internet cheap?
Yes. As we speak, microwave internet solutions are competitively priced in line with other types of internet connection, such as a fiber-optic network. However, compared to shared business FTTC broadband, it might be quite expensive.
How far can microwaves travel in air?
Typically, microwave communication links are limited by the visual horizon to about 30 to 40 miles.
Who can design and implement a successful point-to-point microwave link?
The design and implementation of a successful point-to-point microwave link need someone with good theoretical knowledge about radio frequency design and antennas. Also, he or she should have several years of experience in this field. Generally, you need an expert in this field so as to enjoy this kind of internet connection.
Final Thoughts
From allowing people living in remote areas to access the internet to allow users to enjoy fast internet speeds, there are many advantages of using investing in this kind of internet connection. Besides this, it is reliable, the installation process only takes a few days, and you will enjoy good and stable internet back at home or in your business.
As we move into the future, most people are bound to appreciate the importance of having this kind of internet connection in their homes. Consider microwave internet today, and you will not regret it.