BlogConnectivity
Fibre vs wireless last-mile: what the difference means
By Vicky Ogola, Senior ICT Consultant 1 min read
Fibre offers capacity and stability; wireless reaches where fibre does not. Understanding the trade-offs helps you choose and combine them.
The "last mile" is the final connection between a provider's network and your premises. The technology used there shapes the service you get.
Fibre
Fibre carries data as light through glass, so it is not affected by electrical interference and supports very high capacity. Where it is available, it generally offers the most stable performance and room to upgrade speeds later.
Fixed wireless
A radio link from a nearby tower or point to an antenna on your building. It can be installed quickly where fibre has not reached. Performance depends on a clear line of sight and can be affected by obstructions and interference.
Cellular
Mobile data is easy to set up and useful as a backup or for temporary sites, but speeds vary with signal and network load.
Choosing
- Use fibre where it is available for primary connections.
- Use wireless where fibre is unavailable or as a diverse backup.
- Use cellular for backup, temporary or mobile needs.
Whatever the technology, the installation inside the building — cabling and Wi-Fi — determines much of the experience.
See our fibre internet and connectivity services.
About the author
Vicky Ogola
Senior ICT Consultant
Vicky Ogola writes about network design, connectivity, data centres and the infrastructure that business systems depend on.