4 ms·

Just curious, how does the quality/speed of service of a wireless ISP compare to a wired or satellite connection? Somewhere in between, I'd imagine?

• def8cefe 6y ago
  Depends on the wireless ISP. Speaking generally, a wireless ISP has the potential to provide much better service at a much lower price. As compared to current satellite internet providers it is exponentially better, as compared to Starlink... who knows, we'll see when they release concrete information.
• deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
• r1ch 6y ago
  A fixed wireless ISP can be as fast and stable as a fiber connection or as slow as a 90s-era DSL ISP. The main problem is scaling - as you add customers, you have more users competing for a limited spectrum. To accommodate this, you have to use TDMA and other multiplexing strategies which reduce throughput and increase latency. It's been a long time since I had to use satellite, but I'd happily take even the most oversubscribed WISP out there over satellite internet.
  • bryanlarsen 6y ago
    Starlink is much more like a WISP than traditional satellite internet. Starlink satellites orbit at 550km vs traditional satellites at 36000km.
    • r1ch 6y ago
      Yeah, I can't wait to see how it performs. It's truly in a technology class of its own.
    • rsynnott 6y ago
      Still implies a HUGE cell, though. I have doubts that this will work well in anywhere but the very most unpopulated areas.