Speed & headroom
Fiber delivers symmetrical speeds measured in multi-gigabits per second and moves traffic as photons—about 70 % the speed of light—so it shrugs off congestion and distance issues that slow copper or coax.
Reliability & latency
Because fiber strands aren’t susceptible to electrical interference and the network core is usually buried or conduit-protected, uptime SLAs routinely hit 99.99 %. Wireless links, by contrast, can see performance swings during severe weather or in high-density RF environments, adding milliseconds that chip away at video calls and real-time apps.
Deployment speed & reach
Fixed wireless excels where fiber construction is cost-prohibitive—think last-mile service to rural depots or temporary pop-up sites. Most carriers can light a 5G FWA circuit in days, not the weeks a fiber splice-crew schedule demands.
Cost models
Fiber’s monthly MRC is higher, but the price-per-meg plummets as you scale. Wireless shines at sub-500 Mbps tiers and avoids “build” charges, making it a budget-friendly back-up or interim solution.
When to choose fiber
- Data-heavy workflows (CAD, cloud backups, VOIP trunks)
- Compliance-driven industries that can’t risk jitter or packet loss
- Long-term locations where network CAPEX can be amortized
When wireless wins
- Rapid turn-ups for branch offices and construction trailers
- Remote assets outside incumbent fiber LEC footprints
- Diverse-path backup to meet two-circuits-different-media DR policies
Decision checklist
| Factor | Fiber | Fixed Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Symmetric Gig Speeds | ✅ | ⚠ (tier-capped) |
| Low Latency | ✅ | ⚠ (RF dependent) |
| Install Time | 🚧 | ✅ |
| Rural Availability | ⚠ | ✅ |
| Long-Term TCO | ✅ (at ≥1 Gb) | ⚠ |
Bottom line
If uptime, future-proof speeds, and SLA muscle top your list, fiber is the gold standard. Use fixed wireless as a fast strike—or as a geographically diverse backup—to keep your business online while crews pull glass. Need help mapping the right mix? Network Advisors architects blended access every day.